Samsung's Taylor Fab Nears Tesla AI5 Production On 2nm Gate-All-Around
A Samsung foundry employee's LinkedIn post says the Tesla-Samsung version of the AI5 chip has completed tape-out, moving Samsung's long-delayed Taylor, Texas plant closer to initial 2nm production later this year.
Key Takeaways
Tesla's Samsung-made AI5 chip has completed tape-out on Samsung's 2nm gate-all-around process, per a Samsung foundry engineer's LinkedIn post reported July 13 by Asia Today.
The milestone moves Samsung's delayed Taylor, Texas fab closer to initial operations near the end of 2026, with broader production expected in 2027.
The chip falls under a $15.1 billion foundry deal disclosed in 2025 that Elon Musk attributed to Tesla's AI processors; AI5 output will be split between Samsung and TSMC.
Samsung is tipped as primary manufacturer for Tesla's later AI6 generation and already builds Tesla's AI4 processor on 7nm at its Pyeongtaek plant.
Samsung is also working with NVIDIA, Groq, and reportedly Qualcomm and AMD, and is pulling its first Yongin fab launch forward to 2029 to meet AI chip demand.
Kaan Tınmaz
Samsung Electronics is closing in on the first big customer chip for its long-delayed Taylor, Texas foundry: a Samsung-manufactured version of Tesla's next-generation AI5 processor has completed tape-out on Samsung's 2-nanometer gate-all-around process, industry sources told Asia Today on July 13.
Tape-Out On 2nm Gate-All-Around
An engineer in Samsung's foundry division disclosed the milestone in a LinkedIn post. Tape-out — the final design hand-off before prototype manufacturing — does not mean commercial mass production has begun, but it clears a critical gate for the Taylor site, which is expected to start initial operations near the end of 2026 with broader production in 2027.
$15.1 Billion Contract, Split With TSMC
The chip lands under a $15.1 billion foundry supply deal Samsung disclosed in 2025 that Elon Musk later attributed to Tesla's AI processors. AI5 production is expected to be split between Samsung and TSMC, while Samsung has been tipped as the primary manufacturer for the later AI6 generation. Samsung already builds Tesla's AI4 processor on 7nm at Pyeongtaek and will do the same for its upgraded variant.
Groq, NVIDIA And Qualcomm Circle
Samsung is also cooperating with NVIDIA on autonomous-driving processors, US AI accelerator startup Groq, and reportedly Qualcomm and AMD, as Chairman Lee Jae-yong reappeared at Sun Valley alongside foundry chief Han Jin-man. Samsung is separately pulling its first Yongin fab launch forward to 2029 to feed the AI chip boom.
Reporting based on Asia Today via UPI and industry sources.
Has Tesla's AI5 chip entered mass production at Samsung's Taylor fab?
No. The chip has only completed tape-out, the final design hand-off before prototype manufacturing. The Taylor, Texas fab is expected to begin initial operations near the end of 2026, with broader production in 2027.
What process technology will Samsung use for Tesla's AI5?
Samsung will manufacture its version of the AI5 on its 2-nanometer gate-all-around (GAA) process at the Taylor, Texas foundry.
Will Samsung be the only manufacturer of Tesla's AI5 chip?
No. AI5 production is expected to be split between Samsung and TSMC, though Samsung has been tipped as the primary manufacturer for the later AI6 generation.
What is the value of the Samsung-Tesla foundry deal?
Samsung disclosed a $15.1 billion foundry supply deal in 2025, which Elon Musk later attributed to Tesla's AI processors.
