Mercedes-Benz selects Wolfspeed semiconductors for its electric vehicles

MARCY, N.Y. — Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: WOLF) will supply silicon-carbide devices to power future Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) platforms when the company’s semiconductors are incorporated into next-generation powertrain systems for several vehicle lines.

“Coming from a long-term technical collaboration history between our companies, we have now chosen Wolfspeed as one of our key partners for future silicon-carbide devices, thus securing preferred long-term supply, technology, and quality of this decisive semiconductor component for our electrification offensive,” Dr. Gunnar Güthenke, head of procurement and supplier quality for Mercedes-Benz, said in a news release.

Wolfspeed will produce the silicon-carbide power devices for Mercedes-Benz at its facilities in Durham, North Carolina, and its 200 mm Mohawk Valley Fab, which opened last year in Marcy. The company’s devices will improve vehicle range and power in Mercedes-Benz’s vehicles.

The Mohawk Valley Fab is the world’s largest silicon-carbide-fabrication facility and dramatically expands Wolfspeed’s production capacity. The company is also constructing a new silicon-carbide-materials facility in North Carolina, which will expand its silicon-carbide capacity by more than 10-fold.

“We are continuing to invest in our manufacturing capacity to support a steepening demand curve for silicon-carbide devices that will not only improve EV performance and drive greater consumer adoption, but also support the sustainability efforts of global automotive leaders like Mercedes-Benz,” Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe said.

Headquartered in Durham, Wolfspeed provides silicon-carbide materials, power devices, and RF devices for applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and storage, aerospace, and defense applications. The company’s Mohawk Valley Fab employs more than 300 people.