Elon Musk Teases Major Intel-Tesla Foundry Partnership, Claims It’s “Worth Having Discussions” With Team Blue

Tesla is actively expanding its network of chip suppliers. Following successful partnerships with TSMC and Samsung, the electric vehicle manufacturer is now exploring potential collaborations with Intel’s foundry services.

Tesla: A Potential Pioneer for Intel’s 18A Node in Custom Silicon

Intel Foundry has faced challenges in attracting high-volume external clients, despite the competitive edge offered by its 18A fabrication process. Nonetheless, Elon Musk has hinted at forming a partnership with Intel, indicating Tesla’s need for substantial chip production capacities across its supplier network. This collaboration would position Tesla as the first automotive manufacturer to source semiconductors from industry giants Samsung, TSMC, and potentially Intel.

$TSLA ELON MUSK: WILL DO SOMETHING WITH $INTC INTEL

— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) November 6, 2025

Maybe we’ll do something with Intel. We haven’t signed any deal, but it’s probably worth having discussions with Intel. Even when we extrapolate the best-case scenario for chip production from our suppliers, it is still not enough.– Elon Musk

If an agreement is reached, it is expected to focus on Intel’s 18A process, as it currently stands as the firm’s most advanced offering. Tesla’s requirement for ‘2nm suppliers’ for its next-generation AI6 AI chips adds urgency to this potential collaboration. Previously, Intel was speculated to provide packaging technologies for Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer before that project was discontinued. Now, a partnership centered on semiconductor production appears to be a more promising avenue for both companies.

Man in Intel Foundry vest holding a silicon wafer in front of an Intel sign outdoors. — Intel’s CEO demonstrating an 18A wafer | Image Credits: Intel

Among the major chip manufacturers, Intel boasts the most advanced fabrication facility in the United States, specifically at its Arizona Fab 52, which is currently mass-producing the 18A node. This aligns well with Tesla’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, positioning a partnership with Intel as a practical choice. However, as of now, detailed insights into how a prospective collaboration might unfold remain unclear, with Musk withholding specific information.

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