The world supply of microchips has been so tight this year that it has shut down vehicle assembly lines. The shortage is a temporary problem, but it also highlights a growing problem for the auto industry: Technologies and vehicles are rapidly changing and new supply chain investments will be necessary to keep up.
Chip fabricator Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. shows the sort of commitment that will be needed.
TSMC is investing in a significant new fabrication plant, referred to in the supply chain as a "fab," near Phoenix that could be producing 20,000 12-inch silicon wafers a month by 2024.