MCU design houses Holtek Semiconductor and Sonix Technology will hike quotes by 10-15%, and fellow companies Elan Microelectronics, Hycon Technology, Sunplus Technology, Nyquest Technology and Nuvoton Technology are expected to follow suit, according to industry sources.

The prices are rising because car-use IC vendors have booked large portions of 8-inch wafer foundry capacities, sharply reducing support at foundry houses for MCU designers, the sources explained. Currently, lead time for 8-inch wafer foundry services is as long as 4-5 months, the sources said.

The corresponding IC packaging and testing capacities are also in short supply, the sources noted.

By DIGITIMES