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STMicro Forecasts Weak Q4 Sales as Automotive Demand Falters

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European chipmaker STMicroelectronics projected fourth-quarter revenue below market expectations, citing soft demand from the automotive sector that offset gains in other markets. The company expects revenue of $3.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst forecasts of $3.34 billion, according to LSEG data. Shares fell nearly 8%, making STMicro the worst performer on France’s CAC 40 and Italy’s FTSE MIB indexes.

The Franco-Italian firm, which counts Tesla and Apple among its top customers, said weaker sales to a major electric vehicle client — widely believed to be Tesla — weighed on results. CFO Lorenzo Grandi confirmed that lower demand for silicon carbide chips, used in EVs, led to reduced capital spending plans for 2025. STMicro now plans to invest slightly under $2 billion, down from its previous $2–2.3 billion range.

Analysts from JPMorgan described the current semiconductor recovery as “very muted,” despite signs of improvement in imaging sensor and microcontroller sales. STMicro also reiterated that its cost-cutting program remains on track following resistance in Italy.

Automakers warn Nexperia chip dispute could hit U.S. production within weeks

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A U.S. automaker group representing companies including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai warned Thursday that the ongoing chip supply disruption involving Dutch firm Nexperia could soon halt vehicle production in the United States.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said the issue stems from a trade and ownership dispute between the Dutch government and China, which has forced Nexperia to halt guaranteed deliveries of crucial automotive semiconductors.

“If the shipment of automotive chips doesn’t resume – quickly – it’s going to disrupt auto production in the U.S. and many other countries and have a spillover effect in other industries,” said John Bozzella, the group’s CEO.

Some automakers told Reuters that U.S. production lines could be affected as early as next month, although they declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The dispute escalated after the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia on September 30, citing national security concerns over its Chinese owner, Wingtech. The move followed U.S. pressure to curb potential technology transfers and the Chinese commerce ministry’s export controls restricting shipments of Nexperia-made components.

Nexperia’s chips, while not the most advanced, are vital to car manufacturing and electronic component assembly. Analysts warn that even short-term supply interruptions could ripple across global production lines.

European automakers have also raised alarms. The ACEA, Europe’s car industry body, said the situation could lead to “significant disruption” across manufacturing networks if not resolved quickly.

Qualcomm and BMW Unveil Automated Driving System With Hands-Free Features

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Qualcomm and BMW announced Friday the launch of Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new automated driving system aimed at boosting competitiveness in the fast-growing driver-assistance market. The technology, debuting in BMW’s electric iX3, offers hands-free highway driving, automatic lane changes, and parking assistance.

While advanced, the system does not qualify as fully autonomous “Level 5” driving. The driver remains responsible for supervising the vehicle. Qualcomm said Ride Pilot has been validated in over 60 countries and will expand to more than 100 by 2026, giving it one of the broadest global footprints for such systems.

The collaboration underscores Qualcomm’s aggressive push beyond smartphones into automotive electronics. The company posted 21% growth in automotive revenue in the third quarter, reaching $984 million, and projects $8 billion annually by 2029.

Competition is intensifying, with Nvidia and Mobileye both pitching their platforms to automakers, while Tesla and General Motors continue developing proprietary driver-assistance stacks. By making Ride Pilot available not just to BMW but also to global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers, Qualcomm is positioning itself as a key supplier for the industry’s shift toward automation.