September 11, 2024 /SemiMedia/ — ROHM and United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd. (UAES), a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier in China, have recently entered into a long-term supply agreement for SiC (Silicon Carbide) power devices.

Since 2015, ROHM and UAES have collaborated on detailed technical exchanges focused on automotive applications utilizing SiC power devices. This partnership deepened in 2020 with the establishment of a joint SiC technology laboratory at UAES headquarters in Shanghai, China. In 2021, ROHM’s advanced SiC power devices and peripheral components were highly evaluated by UAES, leading to ROHM being selected as a preferred supplier.

This close and long-standing technical partnership has resulted in the production and adoption of numerous automotive products equipped with ROHM SiCs, such as onboard chargers and inverters for electric vehicles. SiC power devices play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of various systems, contributing to extended cruising range and reduced battery size.

The long-term supply agreement ensures that UAES will have sufficient access to SiC power devices to meet the growing demand for SiC-based inverter modules, which have been supplied to customers since November 2023. Looking ahead, both companies plan to deepen their collaboration and contribute to technological innovation in the automotive sector by accelerating the development of cutting-edge SiC power solutions for electric vehicles (EVs).

“The growing popularity of electric vehicles in the Chinese market has made the adoption and integration of power semiconductors like SiC increasingly important. ROHM, a world-renowned semiconductor manufacturer, is a pioneer and market leader in SiC power devices. Since 2015, we have been actively engaged in technical exchanges and highly value ROHM’s proposed solutions, which encompass devices and peripheral components. Choosing ROHM as our long-term supplier of SiC chips guarantees a stable supply for future mass production. We appreciate ROHM’s past efforts and look forward to building a long-term collaborative relationship, with this agreement serving as a new starting point,” said Guo Xiaolu, Deputy General Manager, United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd.

“We are very pleased to have signed a long-term supply agreement with UAES, a valued partner with whom we have built a strong cooperative relationship over the years. As a leading Tier 1 manufacturer in China, UAES is at the forefront of advanced application development. To meet the need for SiC power devices that improve efficiency in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market, ROHM has established a leading development and manufacturing system within the SiC industry. We believe that by working together, both companies can provide cutting-edge, high-performance, high-quality automotive applications. Moving forward, we will continue to drive technological innovation in electric vehicles together with UAES by offering power solutions centered on SiC,” said Tsuguki Noma, Corporate Officer and Director of the Power Device Business Unit, ROHM.