>be Nexperia >founded in 2017 after spinning off from NXP Semiconductors >based in Netherlands, makes basic but crucial chips for cars and phones >2021 >Chinese company Wingtech Technology quietly buys 100% of Nexperia >Netherlands shrugs at first, because “globalization good” >UK version of Nexperia (Newport Wafer Fab) also gets snapped up by same Chinese parent >everyone suddenly realizes strategic chips ≠ Lego bricks >UK gov forces Wingtech/Nexperia to sell Newport plant in 2023 on national security grounds >EU starts sweating about dependency >2024–2025 >EU begins enforcement of new anti-coercion, foreign-subsidy, and security screening laws >Commission starts looking into Chinese state-linked tech acquisitions >finds out that Wingtech’s funding chain goes through Chinese government investment vehicles >Brussels not amused >October 2025 >EU blocks exports and payment flows tied to some Chinese parent structures under new screening measures >Nexperia’s European entities trapped in compliance limbo >can’t legally ship chips to automakers because ownership and export license status unclear >factories still running but nothing leaves the warehouses >ACEA: “oh god we can’t build cars without these chips” >stockpiles will dry up in weeks >every automaker from VW to Stellantis starts panic emails >EU governments debating whether to seize or nationalize Nexperia Europe operations >China threatens retaliation on rare earth exports >brussels_meeting.exe crashes >tfw a corporate ownership change from four years ago now threatens to halt Europe’s car production Source:

ACEA - European Automobile Manufacturers' Association

ACEA calls for quick resolution to critical chip supply shortage

Brussels, 16 October 2025 - The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is deeply concerned by potential significant disruption to ...