The automotive industry has been completely shaken by the shortage of semiconductors, which has forced many manufacturers, including Stellantis, to stop part of their production due to a lack of available parts. At a time when the shortage is coming to an end, but when the world remains in a state of tension, Stellantis is securing its supply of semiconductors, very important elements that will be even more in demand in the coming years.
Indeed, semiconductors are key to the performance, safety and functionality of today's Stellantis vehicles, as well as the new technology platforms and state-of-the-art "STLA BEV-centric" vehicles soon to be launched. To meet the growing demand for automotive semiconductors, the Stellantis Group is implementing a multi-dimensional strategy to manage and secure the long-term supply of these essential electronic microchips. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, this strategy is the result of a rigorous assessment of customers' needs for advanced technologies and a particular focus on achieving the objectives of the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.
This strategy, which is constantly being refined and developed, is based on
The establishment of a semiconductor database to ensure full transparency on the availability of microchips;
Systematic risk assessment to proactively avoid and eliminate obsolete components;
A long-term demand forecast for microchips to support supply security agreements with microchip manufacturers and silicon foundries;
The creation and implementation of a Green List to reduce the diversity of semiconductors and to give Stellantis control over allocation in the event of a shortage of electronic chips;
the direct purchase of essential parts from electronic chip manufacturers, including the long-term security of supply of semiconductors.
Stellantis a commencé une collaboration avec différents partenaires stratégiques en matière de semi-conducteurs, tels que Infineon, NXP® Semiconductors, onsemi et Qualcomm, pour améliorer ses technologies et ses nouvelles plateformes de pointe STLA. Stellantis travaille également avec aiMotive et SiliconAuto afin de pouvoir, à l’avenir, développer ses propres semi-conducteurs.
Maxime Picat, Chief Purchasing and Supply Chain Officer at Stellantis, said: "An effective semiconductor strategy requires a deep understanding of the chip domain and the industry. Several hundred very different semiconductors go into our cars. We have developed a complete ecosystem to limit the risk that a single missing chip could bring our lines to a standstill. At the same time, the fundamental capabilities of our vehicles depend directly on the innovation and performance of each device. SiC MOSFETs extend the range of our electric vehicles, while advanced SoC computing capabilities are critical to safety and the customer experience. "
To date, Stellantis has entered into direct partnerships for semiconductors with a purchase value of more than €10 billion until 2030. These supply agreements cover a wide range of critical electronic chips, including :
Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, components essential for the autonomy of electric vehicles;
Microcontrollers (MCU), a key element of the computational parts of the electrical architecture of the "STLA Brain";
System-on-a-Chip (SoC), essential components for high-performance computing (HPC) units that power infotainment systems and autonomous driving assistance functions in vehicles.
Semiconductors play a key role in vehicles and are driving Stellantis' transformation into a sustainable mobility technology company, as defined in the Dare Forward 2030 plan. Stellantis is driving its transformation into a sustainable mobility tech company through the use of semiconductors in vehicles, including the small/medium/large/frame), as well as the connectivity, remote upgradability and flexibility of the service-oriented electronic/electrical architecture that supports the STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit and STLA AutoDrive AI-powered platforms.