Tesla Increases Samsung AI6 Chip Orders Amidst Expansion Plans
Tesla is bolstering its partnership with Samsung Electronics, reportedly requesting a significant increase in the production of its next-generation AI6 chips. This move underscores Tesla’s growing demand for advanced semiconductors as it expands its ambitions in electric vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Deal Expansion and Production Capacity
In July 2025, Tesla and Samsung signed a substantial $16.5 billion deal for Samsung to manufacture the AI6 chips [TechCrunch]. Initial agreements covered the production of approximately 16,000 wafers per month. But, Tesla is now seeking to nearly double that volume, requesting an additional 24,000 wafers, bringing the total potential production to 40,000 wafers monthly [Teslarati], [Sammobile].
Samsung’s Taylor, Texas Facility
The AI6 chips will be manufactured at Samsung’s semiconductor facility currently under construction in Taylor, Texas [Notebookcheck]. The eight-year agreement could generate between KRW 2–3 trillion in annual revenue for Samsung, and the increased order volume could further boost those earnings [Sammobile].
AI6 Chip Technology and Applications
The AI6 processor will be fabricated using Samsung’s advanced 2nm process technology [Notebookcheck]. This represents a significant upgrade from the 5nm process used for Tesla’s current AI4 chip in the 2026 Model Y [Notebookcheck]. The AI6 chip is anticipated to power several key Tesla technologies, including Full Self-Driving capabilities, the Optimus humanoid robot, and Tesla’s internal AI data centers [Teslarati].
Potential Shift in AI Infrastructure
Reports suggest that AI6 chip clusters may replace the previously planned Tesla Dojo AI supercomputer, with multiple AI6 chips combined into server-level clusters [Teslarati].
Ongoing Collaboration
Samsung has been a long-term semiconductor partner for Tesla, having previously manufactured the HW3 (AI3) and HW4 chips [Teslarati]. Tesla had initially planned to split AI5 chip production between Samsung and TSMC.
It remains to be seen if Samsung can fully accommodate Tesla’s increased demand and at what cost, especially given the current high demand for AI chips and the potential for premium pricing, as seen with Nvidia’s HBM4 memory [Notebookcheck].