# Making Cars and Going ‘Fabless’ | Next-Gen EV & AV

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2021-03-12
- Length: 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av
- Listen: https://www.eetimes.com/podcasts/eetoa-ep126/

## Summary

Colin Barnden, an analyst at Semicast Research, argues that new automotive entrants like Apple, Fisker, and Sony will adopt a 'fabless' model, designing vehicles while relying on contract manufacturers like Magna and Foxconn for production, mirroring the semiconductor industry's shift away from owned fabs. He suggests that the commoditization of EV 'skateboard' architectures lowers the barrier to entry, allowing companies with strong purchasing power, such as Apple, to bypass traditional manufacturing infrastructure and secure critical semiconductor supply. The discussion also covers the technical distinctions between EVs and autonomous vehicles (AVs), highlighting the roles of wide bandgap semiconductors like GaN and SiC, and promotes an upcoming EE Times conference on Next-Gen EV and AV technologies.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av#t=0) Introduction and Top Stories
- [5:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av#t=341) The Fabless Automotive Model and Apple's iCar
- [8:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av#t=499) Advantages of Going Fabless for New Entrants
- [11:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av#t=679) Skateboard Architecture and Commoditization of EVs
- [16:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av#t=967) Supply Chain Power and Semiconductor Access
- [21:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-12-making-cars-and-going-fabless-next-gen-ev-av#t=1314) EV vs. AV Technologies and Conference Preview

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Colin Barnden (other)
- Semicast Research (company)
- Apple (company)
- Fisker (company)
- Magna (company)
- Foxconn (company)
- Sony (company)
- Tesla (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Samsung (company)
- AMD (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Ford (company)
- GM (company)
- Toyota (company)
- Hyundai (company)
- GaN (material)
- Silicon Carbide (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 13: How Semiconductors Will Shape The Automotive Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-04-03-episode-13-how-semiconductors-will-shape-the-automotive-industry) (The Circuit)
- [Episode 2: The Business of Going Vertical](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2022-12-28-episode-2-the-business-of-going-vertical) (The Circuit)
- [Episode 17: Exploring the MediaTek Story](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-01-episode-17-exploring-the-mediatek-story) (The Circuit)
- [Charging Ahead: All Circuits Continue Automotive EMS Excellence Through Innovation and Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-03-21-charging-ahead-all-circuits-continue-automotive-ems-excellence-through-innovatio) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Episode 28: A Whole Lot of Custom Going On](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-07-episode-28-a-whole-lot-of-custom-going-on) (The Circuit)

## Citing this page

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