Hyundai Mobis Drives Korea’s Automotive Semiconductor Ecosystem with Industry-Wide Collaboration!

Hyundai Mobis has taken a significant step to strengthen Korea’s position in the global automotive semiconductor market by spearheading the country’s first large-scale, privately driven collaboration focused on next-generation mobility chips. This initiative was launched at the Auto Semicon Korea (ASK) forum on September 29 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Pangyo, bringing together over 20 companies and research organizations across the automotive and semiconductor industries.

Key participants included leading players such as Samsung Electronics, LX Semicon, DB HiTek, SK keyfoundry, GlobalFoundries, Dongwoon Anatech, and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI). The collaboration aims to reduce Korea’s historical reliance on imported automotive chips from North America, Europe, and Japan, while establishing a self-sufficient domestic supply chain to support the country’s growing mobility sector.

As a global Tier 1 supplier, Hyundai Mobis occupies a pivotal role in bridging the gap between vehicle manufacturers and semiconductor developers. The company designs its own chips and manages the end-to-end supply chain, positioning it as a key driver in shaping Korea’s domestic semiconductor capabilities. Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu-suk emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, noting, “We’re working to secure independent design technologies while deepening our partnerships with fabless firms, foundries, and design houses. Our goal is to expand this ecosystem and support companies transitioning from consumer electronics to the mobility space.”

The ASK forum facilitated in-depth discussions on localizing critical semiconductor technologies, defining technical standards, and accelerating development through collaborative R&D models. Hyundai Mobis plans to grow ASK into Korea’s premier annual event for automotive semiconductor innovation, with future editions expanding to include startups, industry associations, and academic institutions.

Integration between semiconductors and electronic control units (ECUs) emerged as a central focus during the forum. Park Chul-hong, Executive Vice President and Head of the Semiconductor Division at Hyundai Mobis, highlighted that “the real competitive edge in automotive semiconductors lies in seamless integration with the control systems they serve. That’s how we significantly reduce development time and improve performance.” This integrated approach has already delivered measurable results, particularly in electric vehicle drive systems, where optimized chip-ECU coordination has shortened product development cycles by up to two years.

Currently, Hyundai Mobis produces 16 types of in-house developed semiconductors through external foundries, supporting applications such as power management, communications, sensors, and data processing. Production volumes for 2025 are projected to reach 20 million units, demonstrating the company’s growing domestic capability. By assisting companies traditionally focused on consumer electronics to pivot into automotive semiconductors, Hyundai Mobis is accelerating Korea’s path to self-reliance in this critical sector.

Further strengthening the ecosystem, Hyundai Mobis recently achieved ISO 26262 certification for functional safety in automotive chip development and is sharing its R&D methodologies with partners. Notable successes include co-development projects with GlobalFoundries and Dongwoon Anatech, which are now preparing for volume production of advanced automotive lighting and power chips.

Through ASK and related industry initiatives, Hyundai Mobis is establishing a robust domestic automotive semiconductor ecosystem, positioning Korea as a competitive global player while fostering innovation, integration, and self-reliance across the mobility sector.