In a groundbreaking move to strengthen Korea’s position in the global automotive semiconductor industry, Hyundai Mobis has joined forces with more than 20 companies and research organizations to launch the country’s first large-scale, privately driven collaboration focused on next-generation mobility chips. The inaugural Auto Semicon Korea (ASK) forum took place on September 29 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Pangyo, attracting participants from across the automotive and semiconductor value chain.
Among the attendees were leading players such as Samsung Electronics, LX Semicon, DB HiTek, SK keyfoundry, GlobalFoundries, Dongwoon Anatech, and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI). This alliance marks a major shift in Korea’s efforts to reduce its reliance on imported automotive semiconductors and establish a homegrown supply network.
Until now, the domestic market has largely depended on chips from North America, Europe, and Japan. The newly formed consortium aims to fill that gap by developing localized technologies and creating a self-sufficient value chain for automotive chips.
As a global Tier 1 supplier, Hyundai Mobis is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between vehicle manufacturers and semiconductor developers. The company not only designs its own chips but also manages end-to-end supply chains—making it a key driver in shaping the domestic semiconductor landscape.
During the forum, Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu-suk underscored the importance of building national capabilities in this critical sector. “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,” he said.
The event featured strategic discussions on how to localize key semiconductor technologies, define technical standards, and accelerate development through collaborative R&D models. Hyundai Mobis is also looking to scale ASK into Korea’s premier annual forum for automotive semiconductor innovation. Starting next year, the event will broaden its scope to include startups, industry associations, and institutions with relevant expertise.
The company highlighted that closer integration between chips and electronic control units (ECUs) will be essential to advancing automotive performance. Park Chul-hong, Executive Vice President and Head of the Semiconductor Division at Hyundai Mobis, stressed the need for tight coordination between chip design and controller functionality. “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 approach has already shown measurable results. For instance, in the case of EV drive systems—where chip design is closely linked to range and power efficiency—Hyundai Mobis has demonstrated that integrated development can shorten product cycles by up to two years.
Currently, the company is producing 16 types of in-house developed semiconductors through external foundries, covering applications such as power management, communications, sensors, and data processing. This year alone, production volumes are expected to reach 20 million units.
The more domestic firms engage in this sector, the faster Korea can achieve true semiconductor self-reliance—with ripple effects across the broader economy. Hyundai Mobis is also offering support for companies traditionally focused on mobile or home electronics as they pivot into automotive semiconductors.
Backed by recent ISO 26262 certification for functional safety in automotive chip development, Hyundai Mobis plans to share its R&D methodologies—from early-stage design to quality control—with its partners, further strengthening the capabilities of Korea’s tech ecosystem. Among recent success stories, GlobalFoundries and Dongwoon Anatech—both of which have roots in consumer electronics—have completed co-development projects with Hyundai Mobis and are now preparing for volume production of advanced lighting systems and power chips for automotive applications.
According to leading market analysts, the automotive semiconductor sector is projected to grow at an average rate of 9% annually, reaching an estimated value of $135 billion by 2030. Hyundai Mobis is strategically focused on high-growth segments such as infotainment, connectivity, driver assistance systems, and electrification—areas expected to represent around 70% of the total market in the coming years. With its new collaborative model, Hyundai Mobis is not only helping to future-proof Korea’s automotive industry, but also laying the foundation for long-term innovation and global competitiveness in one of the fastest-evolving technology sectors.
