Honda positions semiconductors as the core of next-generation automotive technology. It is estimated that Honda will invest approximately several billion yen in Rapidus in the second half of fiscal 2025 (after October 2025) to ensure the procurement of advanced chips, and further strengthen the supply chain by purchasing next-generation chips for use in autonomous driving systems in Japan.
Rapidus is a foundry startup founded in August 2022, jointly funded by eight Japanese companies including Toyota Motor, Sony, NTT, NEC, SoftBank, Denso, Kioxia, and Mitsubishi UFJ. In order to realize the plan of mass production of 2-nanometer chips in 2027, the above eight existing shareholders have decided to make additional investments in Rapidus, and it is estimated that each company's investment amount is about several billion to 20 billion yen.
Currently, the 2nm trial production line of Rapidus' factory in Chitose City, Hokkaido has been launched in April. Rapidus President Junyoshi Koike pointed out that product data will be presented to customers by mid-July at the latest.