Boosting production of ADAS sensors by 70%; Sony's new RM 315 million Thai semiconductor plant comes online

Sony Group has recently initiated operations at its new semiconductor fabrication facility in Thailand, aimed at ramping up the production of automotive image sensors which are in high demand due to the growth of driver-assistance systems in vehicles.

The new semiconductor fabrication plant located in Pathum Thani province, central Thailand became operational in February, after construction commenced in late 2022 with an investment of approximately JPY 10 billion (RM 315 million) according to Nikkei Asia.

This new plant increases Sony’s production capacity by 70 percent. Sony plans to bolster its workforce by adding 2,000 new roles by 2026.

The company has designed the new facility with the foresight of future growth, reserving space for additional expansion to meet rising demand.

"We anticipate medium- to long-term growth and aim to produce highly competitive products such as vehicle image sensors," stated Terushi Shimizu, President of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group, during the plant's inauguration.

The Thai facility will be tasked with the back-end processing of image sensors, which involves the cutting and packaging of circuits previously formed on wafers in Japan, turning them into finished products.

These sensors are primarily used in advanced driver-assistance systems, capable of detecting pedestrians and other obstacles. The plant will also produce a new type of laser diode for use in high-capacity hard disk drives, which is in demand for use in data centres.

Sony is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the image sensor market, targeting a 39 percent global market share within 2025.

Also read: Smartphone on wheels, Sony and Honda's EV is called Afeela, hitting the roads in 2026

Besides producing automotive components, Sony also has an existing joint venture with Honda to develop its first BEV.

The first concept is called Afeela, an electric vehicle featuring facial recognition, customizable acceleration sound effects, and video game compatibility using Sony controllers. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and supports 5G connectivity, embodying the industry shift towards software-defined vehicles. 

Initial powertrains details reveal that the Afeela will feature a 91 kWh battery powering a dual-motor AWD powertrain (each motor supplying 244 PS) and will offer 11 kW AC charging and 150 kW DC charging compatibility. 

Sony aims to leverage the Afeela brand for both transportation and as a revenue-generating platform through services and software, with online orders starting in 2025 for overseas markets and deliveries in the US by Q2 2026.