Micron $MU Technology and Ford $F Motor signed a long-term supply agreement on Monday under which Micron will increase output of automotive memory chips to support Ford's next generation of vehicles.
Securing a reliable pipeline of memory and storage components for Ford's vehicle production is the central aim of the deal. Ford's production programs require components with extended service lives, and the added capacity is intended to keep that supply uninterrupted, the companies said.
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said the deal reflects a broader shift in how vehicles are built. "As vehicles become more intelligent and data-intensive, the importance of advanced memory and storage continues to grow, making collaboration and long-term supply increasingly important," Mehrotra said.
To support the commitment, Micron pointed to ongoing investments in its domestic manufacturing footprint, with advanced DRAM production at its Manassas, Virginia facility serving as a key part of that buildout for automotive clients.
Automakers have emerged as significant buyers in the chip market as demand from advanced driver assistance systems and feature-rich infotainment platforms has made memory components indispensable to vehicle production, intensifying competition for an already constrained supply. Data from S&P Global $SPGI Mobility cited by Reuters puts the increase in DRAM prices at around 70% since December, a run-up attributed to surging capital flowing into AI-powered data centers and the memory demand that comes with it.
The Ford agreement is one of 16 supply deals Micron outlined during its third quarter.