GM will participate in the so-called (and unproven) Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program, which “is intended to secure domestic, sustainable and scalable materials for EV production.”
General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) today announced a supplier agreement to develop and provide silicon carbide power devices for GM’s future electric vehicle programs. Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide devices will allow GM to “install more efficient EV propulsion systems that will extend the range” of its growing EV portfolio. The silicon carbide involved will be used in the integrated power electronics contained within GM’s Ultium Drive units in its next-generation EVs. (Environmental About Face – General Motors Ditching Internal Combustion Engines by 2035. Carbon Neutral by 2040?; GM Needs Range, Battery Cost Cuts to Speed EV Plans; GM Ups Bet by $35B in Autonomous, Electric Vehicle Games)
In a move that is designed to ensure supply and assuage the doubts of the capital markets about the semi-conductor shortage disaster, as part of the agreement, GM will participate in the so-called (and unproven) Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program (WS AoSP), which “is intended to secure domestic, sustainable and scalable materials for EV production.” During September, Toyota outsold General Motors by 123,000 units. In fact September was such a weak month for GM that four other OEMs had stronger volume performance, with Hyundai topping GM for the first time ever.
“Our agreement with Wolfspeed represents another step forward in our transition to an all-electric future,” said Shilpan Amin, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “Customers of EVs are looking for greater range, and we see silicon carbide as an essential material in the design of our power electronics to meet customer demand. Working with Wolfspeed will help ensure we can deliver on our vision of an all-electric future.”
The silicon carbide power devices will be made at Wolfspeed’s 200mm-capable Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York, which is claimed to be the world’s largest silicon carbide fabrication facility. Launching in early 2022, this facility will dramatically expand capacity for the company’s silicon carbide technologies, which are in increasing demand for EV production and other advanced technology sectors around the world.
Wolfspeed, with abundant self-interest, says “widespread adoption of silicon carbide as an industry standard semiconductor for transportation supports the automotive industry’s rapid transition to clean energy vehicles. Silicon carbide enables greater system efficiencies that result in longer EV range while lowering weight and conserving space. Wolfspeed’s technology is fueling electric propulsion systems across the entire voltage spectrum – from 400V to 800V – and beyond.”
AutoInformed.com on
Wolfspeed’s Opinion of Wolfspeed
Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) “leads the market in the worldwide adoption of Silicon Carbide and GaN technologies. We provide industry-leading solutions for efficient energy consumption and a sustainable future. Wolfspeed’s product families include Silicon Carbide materials, power-switching devices and RF devices targeted for various applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and storage, and aerospace and defense. We unleash the power of possibilities through hard work, collaboration and a passion for innovation.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
EV Battery Gold-Rush – GM and Wolfspeed Cut Deal
GM will participate in the so-called (and unproven) Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program, which “is intended to secure domestic, sustainable and scalable materials for EV production.”
General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) today announced a supplier agreement to develop and provide silicon carbide power devices for GM’s future electric vehicle programs. Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide devices will allow GM to “install more efficient EV propulsion systems that will extend the range” of its growing EV portfolio. The silicon carbide involved will be used in the integrated power electronics contained within GM’s Ultium Drive units in its next-generation EVs. (Environmental About Face – General Motors Ditching Internal Combustion Engines by 2035. Carbon Neutral by 2040?; GM Needs Range, Battery Cost Cuts to Speed EV Plans; GM Ups Bet by $35B in Autonomous, Electric Vehicle Games)
In a move that is designed to ensure supply and assuage the doubts of the capital markets about the semi-conductor shortage disaster, as part of the agreement, GM will participate in the so-called (and unproven) Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program (WS AoSP), which “is intended to secure domestic, sustainable and scalable materials for EV production.” During September, Toyota outsold General Motors by 123,000 units. In fact September was such a weak month for GM that four other OEMs had stronger volume performance, with Hyundai topping GM for the first time ever.
“Our agreement with Wolfspeed represents another step forward in our transition to an all-electric future,” said Shilpan Amin, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “Customers of EVs are looking for greater range, and we see silicon carbide as an essential material in the design of our power electronics to meet customer demand. Working with Wolfspeed will help ensure we can deliver on our vision of an all-electric future.”
The silicon carbide power devices will be made at Wolfspeed’s 200mm-capable Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York, which is claimed to be the world’s largest silicon carbide fabrication facility. Launching in early 2022, this facility will dramatically expand capacity for the company’s silicon carbide technologies, which are in increasing demand for EV production and other advanced technology sectors around the world.
Wolfspeed, with abundant self-interest, says “widespread adoption of silicon carbide as an industry standard semiconductor for transportation supports the automotive industry’s rapid transition to clean energy vehicles. Silicon carbide enables greater system efficiencies that result in longer EV range while lowering weight and conserving space. Wolfspeed’s technology is fueling electric propulsion systems across the entire voltage spectrum – from 400V to 800V – and beyond.”
AutoInformed.com on
Wolfspeed’s Opinion of Wolfspeed
Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) “leads the market in the worldwide adoption of Silicon Carbide and GaN technologies. We provide industry-leading solutions for efficient energy consumption and a sustainable future. Wolfspeed’s product families include Silicon Carbide materials, power-switching devices and RF devices targeted for various applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and storage, and aerospace and defense. We unleash the power of possibilities through hard work, collaboration and a passion for innovation.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.