Samsung Electronics has started delivering advanced semiconductors for BMW’s next-generation electric vehicles, marking a major step in its push into the automotive electronics market. The Samsung BMW EV chip deal centers on the Exynos Auto V720, an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) chip now powering BMW’s new iX3 EV, according to industry sources.
IVI chips act as the “brain” of modern vehicles. They deliver real-time driving data, support high-definition multimedia, and even enable high-performance gaming inside the car. The Exynos Auto V720 helps BMW offer a premium digital experience in its latest electric model.
The iX3 is a midsize electric SUV and the first mass-produced vehicle built on BMW’s new Neue Klasse electrification platform. BMW unveiled it at the IAA 2025 motor show in Munich last September. The company plans to launch the iX3 in South Korea during the second half of 2026.
Samsung intends to deepen this partnership. Industry analysts expect BMW to adopt Samsung’s next-generation Exynos Auto V920 chip for its future 7 Series models. With this deal, Samsung adds BMW to its growing list of automotive clients, which already includes Audi (since 2019) and Volkswagen (since 2021).
The move reflects Samsung’s strategic shift toward mobility as a core growth pillar. Traditional cars use 200 to 300 semiconductors. Electric vehicles need about 1,000. Fully autonomous cars may require over 2,000 chips each, according to the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. This surge in demand makes the EV sector a critical opportunity for chipmakers.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong has personally driven this expansion. In March 2025, he visited BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen to meet with Chairman Wang Chuanfu and explore collaboration. Last month, Lee hosted Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius at Samsung’s Seungjiwon guesthouse in Seoul to strengthen mobility ties.
Beyond partnerships, Samsung is acquiring key technologies. On December 23, 2025, its subsidiary Harman agreed to buy ZF Friedrichshafen’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) business for 2.6 trillion won ($1.8 billion). This marks Samsung’s largest automotive acquisition since it bought Harman in 2017.
“This acquisition reinforces Harman’s leadership in the industry’s transformation and underscores Samsung’s long-term commitment to the future of mobility,” said Young Sohn, Harman’s board chairman.
Together, these moves position Samsung not just as a chip supplier but as a full-stack mobility technology partner. As global automakers accelerate their EV and autonomous driving plans, the Samsung BMW EV chip deal signals Seoul’s ambition to play a central role in the future of smart transportation.
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