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European automakers warn of production risks amid Dutch-China dispute over chipmaker Nexperia

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European carmakers are warning of potential production disruptions as a trade and technology dispute between China and the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia threatens to choke off the supply of critical automotive chips.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said on Thursday it was “deeply concerned” that Nexperia’s inability to guarantee chip deliveries could halt production at European factories. “Without these chips, automotive suppliers cannot build the parts and components needed to supply vehicle manufacturers,” ACEA said, urging an immediate resolution.

Nexperia, which supplies chips essential for vehicle electronics, told customers last week that deliveries could no longer be guaranteed. The company said it is engaging with Chinese authorities to obtain an exemption from export restrictions, but declined to give further details.

The dispute erupted after the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia on September 30, citing concerns over the possible transfer of technology to its Chinese parent company Wingtech, which is subject to U.S. export controls. Washington added Wingtech to its entity list in December, triggering restrictions that now extend to Nexperia under U.S. law.

In response, China’s commerce ministry imposed export controls on Nexperia China and its subcontractors, banning them from exporting certain chip components. The escalating standoff places Europe’s car industry in the crossfire of a widening U.S.-China tech war.

Nexperia’s chips are not high-end semiconductors but are produced in mass volumes crucial for car electronics. Major manufacturers including Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, as well as suppliers like Bosch, said they are assessing risks and exploring contingency plans.

China’s commerce ministry criticized the Dutch government’s intervention, saying it “opposes interference in enterprises through administrative means” and vowed to protect Chinese companies’ rights.

CATL to Begin Production at $8.5B Hungarian Battery Plant by Early 2026

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CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker, expects to begin production at its new €7.3 billion ($8.55 billion) plant in Debrecen, Hungary by early 2026, according to its Europe general manager Matt Shen. The timeline marks a slight delay from initial plans to start operations by the end of 2025.

The Debrecen facility will become CATL’s largest European site, with an annual capacity of 100 GWh—enough to power millions of EVs—and a workforce of about 9,000 people. It will significantly overshadow the company’s existing factory in Thuringia, Germany, and supply automakers including BMW, Stellantis, and Volkswagen.

Shen told Reuters that production is now targeted to start “at the end of this year or beginning of the next year, so the next four, five months.” CATL is among several Chinese battery giants presenting at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, as European carmakers face growing pressure from Chinese competition in the EV transition.

Despite signs of sluggish EV demand in Europe, CATL remains bullish. The company increased its global market share to 38% in 2024, up from 36% the previous year, according to SNE Research. It also raised $4.6 billion in a Hong Kong listing in May to help finance the Hungarian project.

“There are always some fluctuations,” Shen said. “For the overall trend, there is no doubt about that.”

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.