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Geopolitically driven supply-chain realignment is pushing the global auto industry into a critical moment of risk diversification. An emerging industrial bloc centered on "non-China" supply chains is beginning to take shape, reshaping how automakers and technology companies source, build, and deploy vehicles....

Samsung Electronics' decision to acquire a major advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) business through its subsidiary Harman is widely viewed as a decisive escalation of its ambitions in automotive electronics. Yet the move is also stirring unease among industry observers, who warn that it could complicate Samsung's long-standing partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, raising questions about how the two South Korean giants will navigate an increasingly crowded and competitive automotive technology market....

Nvidia's push for an HVDC 800V power design has opened a new growth window for the power management supply chain heading into 2026. IC distributors said that as AI infrastructure investment accelerates, demand for 400-800V solutions is gaining traction. With Taiwanese firms stepping into power module development, component demand is set to rise in tandem....

Japanese chipmaker Rapidus is advancing its 2nm process technology while developing advanced packaging solutions tailored for AI chips. The company aims to officially start trial production on its advanced packaging line in April 2026....

According to Bloomberg and The Korea Economic Daily, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made a four-day trip from January 4-7, 2026, to Beijing and Shanghai, including a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The heads of the four major South Korean conglomerates (Samsung, SK Group, Hyundai, and LG Group) also traveled with Lee as part of an economic delegation....

G-Tech Optoelectronics (GTOC), a glass processing subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), announced it has signed a five-year framework agreement with a US defense systems integration contractor, covering the period from December 31, 2025, to December 30, 2030. The partnership will comply with relevant defense, national security, export control, and supply chain security regulations in the US, Japan, and Taiwan....

Once confined to research labs, humanoid robots moved decisively into public view across China in 2025. Viral footage showed robots dancing at the Spring Festival gala, operating on factory floors, running marathons, and even sparring in boxing matches.​...

The economics of advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the US differ sharply from those in Taiwan, and TSMC's experience in Arizona is underscoring how difficult that gap is to bridge. Analysts say higher depreciation per wafer and elevated labor costs are placing sustained pressure on margins at the company's US fabs, even as production ramps up....

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026) will take place from January 6-9, 2026, in Las Vegas. Taiwanese networking companies WNC, Sercomm, Arcadyan, and Zyxel will exhibit next-generation communication technologies and AI applications, focusing on Wi-Fi 8, AI integration, optical switches, and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) modules....

Strong AI demand has pushed the memory sector into a rare upcycle. China's leading DRAM maker CXMT is advancing an IPO application on the STAR Market, targeting CNY29.5 billion (US$4.21 billion), the second-largest fundraising in STAR Market history. In parallel, supply chain sources say China's NAND flash leader YMTC is likely to file for an IPO in the first half of 2026....

Japan's Ministry of Defense announced in December 2025 that it had suspended Kawasaki Heavy Industries from bidding on defense contracts until March 11, 2026, a 2.5-month ban following revelations of falsified fuel efficiency data for submarine engines supplied to the Maritime Self-Defense Force....

On the eve of CES 2026, Foxconn Technology Group quietly completed a consequential move: its electric-vehicle subsidiary, Foxtron, finalized the acquisition of 100% of the Taiwanese automaker Luxgen. The transaction is less a brand purchase than the final piece in Foxconn's effort to assemble a full electric-vehicle value chain....

As major corporations expand investments in artificial intelligence (AI), memory suppliers have seen a flood of orders. According to the latest reports from South Korean media, Samsung Electronics has not only demonstrated negotiation dominance but is also marketing a turnkey solution that bundles advanced packaging, DRAM, and foundry services to customers such as Google and AMD. This binding strategy aims to strengthen customer loyalty....

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun used a recent New Year livestream to set a bold target for the company's electric vehicle (EV) business: 550,000 vehicle deliveries in 2026. During the broadcast, Lei also conducted a live "teardown" of the YU7 model, emphasizing the car's safety-oriented design....

China's domestic foundry expansion gained momentum this week as Nexchip Semiconductor broke ground on its Phase IV project in Hefei, committing CNY35.5 billion (approx. US$5.07 billion) to expand 12-inch wafer capacity and deepen its position in mature-node manufacturing....

Apple's iPhone 17 series has driven a notable recovery in China, pushing the company's market share back above 20% and lifting monthly shipments beyond 6 million units in November 2025, according to industry estimates. The rebound marks Apple's strongest performance in the market in recent years after a period of declining share amid intense competition from domestic smartphone brands....

These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories in the week of Dec 29 - Jan 4....

South Korea's leading telecom operator SK Telecom (SKT) has introduced A.X K1, a 500-billion-parameter AI model developed under a national AI initiative to establish a foundational platform for the country, highlighting SKT's efforts to align AI technology with national strategy and industrial applications....

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) announced it has launched an investigation into alleged semiconductor patent infringement involving Samsung Electronics, Google, and Supermicro, after the US company Netlist filed a complaint claiming DRAM products imported by Samsung and Google violate Section 337 of the US Tariff Act. However, Netlist has faced criticism for its history of prolonged litigation battles with Samsung....

The National Aerospace Fasteners Corporation (NAFCO) revenue for December 2025 hit a new record of NT$405 million (approx. US$12.9 million), up 7.84% month-over-month and 19.61% year-over-year. In response to customer demand, the company will continue to expand its Malaysia operations while pushing capacity at its Taiwan plant....