Report: Samsung's mass production at the Taylor plant in the U.S. has been delayed until 2027, which may affect Tesla's AI chip supply

Samsung Electronics is facing uncertainty in the mass production schedule at its wafer factory in Taylor, Texas. According to South Korea's "JoongAng Ilbo," the full-scale production timeline for the factory may be delayed until early 2027, which could affect the supply of advanced process chips to major clients like Tesla.

The "JoongAng Ilbo" reported that the Taylor factory is planned for the production of Tesla's AI5 and AI6 chips, with a contract worth billions of dollars between Samsung and Tesla. Sources cited in the report indicate that the factory has begun trial operations, but full-scale production is facing significant delays, along with some issues affecting capacity ramp-up.

Samsung Electronics responded to the report by stating that "production start" should be understood as completing mass production preparations by the end of 2026, and a company spokesperson mentioned that the factory is expected to be fully operational by then. The report also noted that Samsung is expected to provide a clearer production roadmap in June.

For investors, the fluctuations in the Taylor factory's timeline not only relate to the delivery of specific customer orders but also intertwine with Samsung's advancement in 2nm technology and whether its foundry business can achieve profitability targets by 2026, making execution progress a key variable.

Discrepancies in Mass Production Timeline: Reports Point to Early 2027, Samsung Claims Readiness by End of 2026

The "JoongAng Ilbo" has pushed back the expectation for the Taylor factory's "full-scale production" to early 2027, while also noting that a clear mass production start date has yet to be set. Sources indicate that the factory has begun trial operations, but the advancement of full-scale production is constrained by several issues affecting the factory's operational capacity.

Samsung Electronics clarified in the report that "production start" should be understood as completing mass production preparations by the end of 2026, and stated that the factory is expected to be fully operational by then. The report also mentioned that Samsung expects to provide a clearer production roadmap in June.

Uncertainty for Tesla's AI5 and AI6 Chips: Delivery Rhythm for Major Clients May Be Disrupted

The "JoongAng Ilbo" pointed out that if the delay in mass production at the Taylor factory is confirmed, it could affect major tech clients, including Tesla. The report emphasized that the factory is planned to produce Tesla's AI5 and AI6 chips, with a contract worth billions of dollars between Samsung and Tesla.

Given that advanced process production lines require trial operations, capacity ramp-up, and yield improvement, delays or ambiguities in mass production milestones could directly amplify the supply visibility risks for clients and potentially affect market expectations regarding the rhythm of related order fulfillment.

2nm Progress Under Review: Parallel Development of Taylor and Pyeongtaek, Resource Allocation Adjustments

As the mass production schedule of the Taylor factory comes under scrutiny, Samsung's 2nm plans are also being re-evaluated. The "JoongAng Ilbo" reported that Samsung stated during its January earnings call that its second-generation 2nm process (SF2P) will enter production this year.

The report also noted that the 2nm process is planned to be developed in parallel at the Taylor factory in the U.S. and the Pyeongtaek campus in South Korea, but construction at Pyeongtaek is still ongoing. According to reports, in response to the rising demand driven by AI, some facilities originally planned for contract manufacturing at Pyeongtaek have been repurposed for memory production, making the external perception of its contract manufacturing resource investment and ramp-up pace more sensitive.

Profitability Timeline Set for 2026: Contract Manufacturing Business Break-even Target Linked to Capacity Ramp-up

The ramp-up speed of the Taylor plant and the 2nm process is also seen as a key lever for improving Samsung's foundry business. According to ET News, Samsung aims to restore profitability in its semiconductor foundry business by 2026.

ET News cited industry insiders stating that Samsung's Device Solutions (DS) division currently targets “profit turnaround in the fourth quarter of 2026,” which is up to a year earlier than last year's plan, which aimed for “profitability by 2027 and a 20% market share.”

Within this target framework, any deviation in the mass production timeline of the Taylor plant and the progress of the 2nm introduction could affect the market's judgment on the improvement path of its foundry business