Li Auto to Supply Mach Chips and Silicon Carbide Modules to External Clients
Li Auto President Donghui Ma confirmed that the company's self-developed Mach chips and Silicon Carbide (SiC) power modules are now available for external supply to help offset R&D costs. The chip and SiC module operations have been established as independent corporate entities to seek external clients and funding. This transition enables Li Auto to monetize its internal technology investments and create a new commercial revenue stream, following similar moves by EV rivals Nio and Xpeng. It highlights how Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are expanding into Tier-1 hardware suppliers for the broader automotive industry. Li Auto's Mach M100 chip, built on a 5nm automotive-grade process, delivers 1,280 TOPS of computing power per chip. While chips, SiC modules, and range extenders are being opened to third parties, self-developed battery packs will remain exclusive to Li Auto vehicles due to capacity limits and design compatibility.
## BACKGROUND
Automotive AI chips and Silicon Carbide power electronics are essential components for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and high-efficiency EV powertrains. Developing proprietary semiconductor technology requires massive upfront capital investments, prompting automakers to seek external sales to achieve economies of scale. SiC power modules in particular allow traction inverters to handle higher voltages and switching frequencies, improving overall EV battery efficiency and range.