Stellantis and Foxconn announce joint venture to produce next-generation EV semiconductors
Dutch automotive conglomerate Stellantis announced the forming of a new joint venture with Hon Hai Technology Group, better known as Foxconn, to develop and scale a family of state-of-the-art semiconductors for next-generation EV platforms. Stellantis and Foxconn will each bring their own expertise to the JV, which should eventually cater to the entire automotive industry.
While Stellantis ($STLA) is by no means leading the global transition into battery electric vehicles, it has made large strides in recent months, despite the public waffling of its CEO Carlos Tavares. We really started taking the company’s change of attitude seriously last fall, when Stellantis Europe’s head, Uwe Hochschurtz, broke from Tavares claiming, “The people have decided: we will be purely electric.”
Following a growing success in EVs overseas, Stellantis has doven head first into a North American EV transition on the wings of beloved brands like Ram and Jeep. At the same time, we’ve seen the company invest into new technologies like lithium-sulfer chemistry to deliver lower cost EV batteries stateside.
From a global standpoint, Stellantis has formed joint ventures with companies like Galloo in order to recycle end of life vehicles and establish a more circular automotive economy. Stellantis’ latest joint venture will deliver advanced semiconductors alongside a leader in electronic component manufacturing – Foxconn.
Stellantis looks to feed global semiconductor demand
According to a press release from Stellantis, it has formed a company alongside semiconductor manufacturing company Foxconn, called SiliconAuto. The new company builds upon a non-binding memorandum of understanding between the two OEMs signed back in late 2021.
Today’s result is a 50/50 joint venture to “tailor chips aimed at new generation of automotive industry vehicle platforms.” The partners state that SiliconAuto will combine Stellantis’ understanding of global mobility needs with Foxconn’s development and manufacturing expertise, particularly in the world of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
Stellantis states its new generation of advanced semiconductors will eventually support its future EV platforms, in addition to its STLA Brain software architecture. Foxconn also intends to use the semiconductors in its own vehicles, as well as those it manufactures for other OEMs. Stellantis CTO Ned Curic spoke to the potential of the semiconductor technology expected to come from the new joint venture with Foxconn:
Stellantis will benefit from a robust supply of essential components, which is critical to fueling the rapid, software-defined transformation of our products. Our goal is to build vehicles that seamlessly connect with our customers’ daily lives and deliver class-leading capabilities years after they leave the assembly line. With this joint venture, we can create purpose-built innovations with an efficient partnership.
The partners state that SiliconAuto will be managed by executives from both companies and headquartered in the Netherlands. No word yet on where the semiconductors will actually be manufactured, but Foxconn currently operates 173 campuses across 24 countries, so there are plenty of options.
Stellantis expects SiliconAuto to begin delivering semiconductors for new EV platforms in 2026.
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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