Intel to Manufacture Mystery Chip for Tesla Using 14a Process
Industry analysis points to AI6 or an unannounced processor, though Tesla and Intel have not disclosed the specific chip type.
Tesla has added Intel to its roster of silicon partners, agreeing to become a foundry customer for Intel’s upcoming 14A manufacturing process. While the partnership is confirmed, neither company has specified which chip Intel will produce.
What Happened
Intel announced that Tesla has signed on to use its 14A node, a process Intel markets as a competitor to TSMC’s 1.4nm-class A14 technology, which is expected to arrive around 2028. The news emerged alongside broader updates from Intel, including progress on its 18A node and a $20 billion equity raise to fund new factories. This deal appears separate from the previously announced Terafab project, where Tesla and SpaceX partnered with Intel to build a massive chip factory intended to produce Tesla’s chips in-house.
Why It Matters
The specific identity of the chip remains unconfirmed. Simply Wall St’s Bailey Pemberton notes that Tesla provides Intel with "a high profile external client willing to bet on its leading edge roadmap." Industry analysis suggests the chip is likely not a custom infotainment unit, as Tesla has historically used off-the-shelf processors like Nvidia Tegra, Intel Atom, and AMD Ryzen for its Media Control Units. It is also likely not the upgraded AI4+ computer, which Tesla plans to offer to HW3 owners as a path to unsupervised autonomy well before the 14A process is ready. With AI5 already following a dual-foundry strategy with Samsung and TSMC, and offering five times the compute of two AI4 chips combined, demand for advanced silicon is high. However, the timing of the 14A process suggests the chip may be more advanced than AI5, making AI6 or a completely new, unannounced processor the leading suspects.
The Bottom Line
Tesla and Intel have not disclosed financial terms or specific timelines for the production of this mystery chip. If Intel’s 14A process stays on track for 2028, further details on the chip’s application are expected to surface before then, potentially during Elon Musk’s next update on Tesla’s AI chip roadmap.
