FAW dealer group takes clients for plant tour
FAW Trucks Laubstar hosted a select group of clients for an exclusive guided tour of the FAW Trucks Assembly Plant in Gqeberha (Coega Industrial Development Zone).
- Dealer News
- 13 February 2026
The automotive chip industry is set for remarkable expansion, with valuations expected to climb from $77.42 billion this year to $133.05 billion by the decade's end, according to research from MarketsandMarkets.
The 11.4% annual growth rate underscores semiconductors' increasingly vital role as vehicles become more electrified, connected and autonomous.
Today's automobiles rely heavily on semiconductor technology for fundamental operations, from converting electrical power efficiently to processing vast amounts of sensor data in real time. The industry's pivot towards battery-electric platforms and software-driven functionality is dramatically raising the electronic content per vehicle.
This evolution is further accelerated by global emission reduction targets and consumer expectations for sophisticated connectivity and safety features. Advanced materials like Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride are enabling new generations of power management components capable of handling the extreme voltages and thermal demands of electric propulsion systems.
Sensor components are projected to achieve the steepest growth curve among all semiconductor types. The expansion of driver-assistance capabilities requires vehicles to carry extensive arrays of detection equipment, radar transceivers, LiDAR units, ultrasonic proximity sensors and high-resolution cameras, working in concert to map the vehicle's surroundings with precision.
These technologies are fundamental to collision avoidance, automated parking and adaptive speed control, forming the foundation for increasingly autonomous driving capabilities. In electric and hybrid platforms, sensors additionally perform critical monitoring of battery cells and cooling systems.
Conventional combustion vehicles are forecast to represent the largest propulsion category through 2030, particularly across developing economies where affordability concerns and established refuelling networks favour traditional technology. These vehicles nonetheless require sophisticated chips to meet stringent emission regulations, improve fuel consumption and support modern infotainment and connectivity expectations.
Regional analysis indicates that Asia Pacific will dominate market share, supported by concentrated automotive production in China, Japan, South Korea and India. These countries are making substantial investments in both electric vehicle manufacturing and indigenous semiconductor production capabilities.
The European Commission charts a zero-emission vehicle future for vehicles exported to Europe, while holding the commitment to reducing CO2 emissions from all new vehicle sales.
Ahead of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has once again called on the President and national government to act decisively on South Africa’s electric vehicle transition.
Volkswagen Group is accelerating its technological reset in China as it prepares to base the majority of its locally built vehicles on its new China Electronic Architecture (CEA) by 2030.