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TSMC looks to double down on U.S. chip factories as talks in Europe falter

(www.reuters.com)
437 points adventured | 1 comments | 15 May 21 00:49 UTC | HN request time: 0.293s | source
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lousken ◴[15 May 21 02:26 UTC] No.27161749[source]▶
Is automotive industry all that EU cares about? What about IoT/robotics? The fact that TSMC want to build only their older fab here is really disappointing to me.
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totalZero ◴[15 May 21 03:48 UTC] No.27162168[source]▶
Older lithography is what European automakers need, and the same can be said for robotics. The only reason for EU to demand fabrication of leading edge chips in Europe is hubris. How many laptops and mobile phones, in percent terms relative to those respective markets, are assembled in Europe?
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pawsforapplase ◴[15 May 21 04:44 UTC] No.27162446[source]▶
I've actually always wondered why automakers never try to make consumer electronics. They wouldn't even need to compete with Apple or Dell; would you consider an Audi or Toyota laptop in place of a Panasonic Toughbook?

Caterpillar does it with phones[1], and their main business is heavy industry. Why not auto manufacturers? Could easier access to smaller process nodes incentivize them to branch out into new markets like that?

[1]: https://www.catphones.com/

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1. tim-- ◴[15 May 21 04:58 UTC] No.27162521[source]▶
It's not Caterpillar doing this, though. It's Bullitt Group. They are the same people behind the Kodak phone. Thier whole business model basically revolves around licensing big brands that you have heard of, and making mobile devices with that brand stamped on it.