02-04-2021, 09:01 PM
JoeH wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
[quote=ztirffritz]
I wonder if/when Tesla will be impacted by this? They have their own chip designs and contract manufacturers, whereas GM, Ford and others are buying off-the-shelf components. It might be that Tesla is somewhat insulated from this shortage.
What's likely is, if it seriously impacts Tesla, they'll (very quickly) build a chip manufacturing plant of their own. They learned from SpaceX - if a subcontractor/supplier quotes an unacceptably long lead time, you can have a factory to build the part finished and operating faster than waiting for someone else to deliver the part... so don't wait!
Typical lead to to build a chip foundry is a couple years or more, and about $1 billion at a minimum. It can be lower for small scale production, especially if older tech is good enough.
We're already talking a lead time of HALF that for regular suppliers... And, if SpaceX can use some custom chips AND Tesla can, a partnership for a chip foundry isn't impossible...
Not saying they'll definitely do it, but, it's not out of the realm of possibility.