Toyota Unfazed by Nexperia Export Restrictions Amid Semiconductor Tensions
Toyota CEO Koji Sato confirmed the automaker faces no immediate semiconductor shortage risks despite China's export restrictions on Nexperia. The company will proceed with its Toyota Industries buyout plan, sidestepping supply chain disruptions that have rattled global competitors.
Geopolitical tensions escalated as the Dutch government seized Nexperia using a 1952 national security law, freezing management and IP changes for one year. China retaliated with an October 4 export ban on critical components, squeezing the pipeline for EV power chips and microcontrollers.
While rivals scramble, Toyota accelerates standardization of traditional chips—a strategic hedge against pandemic-style shortages. The move WOULD reduce reliance on bespoke semiconductors that crippled production during COVID-19. Nissan's recent disclosure of precarious inventory levels underscores the industry's vulnerability.
