Edgewater Research: Electronic Weekly Digest - Feb 09

This Week's Data Point: China's Auto Retail Sales

January saw a significant uptick in China's auto retail sales, rising 57% year-over-year to 2.04 million units. Despite a slight seasonal slowdown, the momentum remains strong. New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sales slightly missed the mark at 668,000 units, just under the China Passenger Car Association's (CPCA) early estimate. The dip in NEV demand is attributed to both seasonal adjustments and reduced local consumption incentives. NEVs made up 33% of January's total retail sales, a slight decrease from previous months but an increase from last January's 26%. Notably, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) saw an impressive 148% year-over-year growth, with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) also up by 76%.

Auto Sector Updates:

• Audi reduces production in Brussels due to a parts shortage.
• Bosch delays its margin targets and hints at more job cuts.
• China pledges support for the NEV industry amid foreign trade challenges.
• Ford reports a 4.3% sales increase in January, with a significant rise in hybrid sales.
• SAP ends its Tesla company car purchases, citing resale value concerns.
• Hertz reevaluates its Polestar EV acquisition plans.
• Jaguar Land Rover scales back on EV rollout as demand wanes.
• Volkswagen remains committed to launching 25 new EV models in North America by 2030.
• Opel reduces Grandland crossover production in Germany due to declining demand.
• The US is considering measures to restrict Chinese 'smart cars.'
• Stellantis adjusts operations in Turin due to softening demand.

Industrial and IP&E Highlights:

• Germany unveils a $17 billion initiative to support the transition from gas to hydrogen.
• Murata plans a new MLCC production facility, expanding its manufacturing capabilities.

Semiconductor Sector News:

• Nvidia launches a new business unit for custom AI chip design.
• SMIC is reportedly expanding 5nm production in Shanghai for Huawei's smartphone and AI chips.
• SEMI reports a 14% drop in silicon wafer shipments in 2023.
• Vishay's acquisition of Newport Fab awaits UK government decision.
• SIA notes an 8% decline in global semiconductor sales in 2023, though a late-year uptick suggests recovery.
• SK Hynix and TSMC collaborate on developing HBM4 memory.
• TSMC plans a second fab in Kumamoto, Japan, focusing on 6/7nm processes.

Other News:

• The OECD warns that Red Sea tensions could significantly heighten inflation risks.

This overview highlights key movements in the auto, industrial, semiconductor, and other sectors, showcasing the dynamic nature of market trends and the strategic responses of leading companies.