In a major escalation of its ongoing corporate divorce, Nexperia China announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, that it has officially begun manufacturing its own semiconductors using advanced 12-inch (300mm) wafers. The move represents a definitive break from its Dutch parent company, Nexperia B.V., which is currently unable to produce chips of that size in its European facilities.

A Technological Leap Toward Autonomy

The shift to 12-inch wafers is more than just a capacity upgrade; it is a strategic maneuver to ensure the subsidiary’s survival. For months, the Chinese unit has been locked in a bitter dispute with its European management, which halted wafer shipments to China last October following a Dutch government intervention.

By pivoting to 12-inch production, Nexperia China is now manufacturing several types of essential components—including bipolar discrete devices, Schottky rectifiers, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protectors—that were previously dependent on European-made 8-inch wafers.

Securing the Local Supply Chain

To bypass the Dutch blockade, Nexperia China has aggressively localized its entire supply chain for 2026. Key developments include:

• Strategic Partnerships: The unit has secured 12-inch automotive-grade wafer supplies from Wingsky Semi, a Shanghai-based foundry controlled by Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng.
• Diversified Sourcing: In addition to 12-inch wafers, the company has locked in 8-inch supplies from other domestic firms like United Nova Technology and Shanghai GAT Semiconductor.
• Immediate Profitability: Despite the fractured relationship with the West, the Chinese unit claims it has already delivered over 11 billion chips to 800 global customers since the standoff began.

Impact on Global Automakers

The internal warfare at Nexperia has sent shockwaves through the global automotive industry, which relies heavily on the brand’s “simple” but critical power chips. Shortages of Nexperia components have already forced temporary production stoppages at major manufacturers including Honda and Nissan.

By launching its own independent production line, Nexperia China aims to stabilize the supply for Chinese automakers and industrial firms that have been caught in the crossfire of the geopolitical and corporate tug-of-war.

A Permanent Split?

The announcement marks a “point of no return” in the relationship between the Dutch and Chinese entities. While the Dutch government and Nexperia B.V. maintain they are seeking a diplomatic resolution, Nexperia China’s transition to a self-sufficient, domestic manufacturing model suggests that a complete corporate split is now the most likely outcome. For the semiconductor industry, it represents yet another chapter in the “regionalization” of the global chip supply chain.