China, the world’s largest single automotive market, is also the most intense testing ground for the industry’s shift toward smart and electric vehicles. DIGITIMES Research notes that China’s adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and intelligent cockpits in new cars has rapidly outpaced other regions, reaching significant penetration, especially in mid- to high-end models. Electric vehicles (EVs) have overtaken internal combustion engine cars as the sales leader in the passenger car segment, with the speed and scale of this transformation surpassing prior market expectations.

On April 17, Security Times reported that Beijing New Space-time Technology (Time Space Technology) plans to acquire Shenzhen-based memory module maker Powev Electronic Technology for CNY1.078 billion (US$158 million), marking its official entry into the semiconductor storage sector. The report noted that the deal represents a strategic transformation for the company as it seeks to move away from its traditional night-time economy and smart city businesses, which have been under sustained pressure from macroeconomic headwinds and tightening local government budgets.

Google is accelerating efforts to strengthen its position in AI silicon through a potential partnership with Marvell Technology. It is making a move that highlights the competitive strategy against Nvidia: dominating AI inference workloads.

Japanese electronic components maker Taiyo Yuden recently issued a price increase notice, announcing that it will raise prices on some products starting in May, specifically in the multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) market.