Elon Musk’s team has contacted chip equipment suppliers including Applied
Materials, Tokyo Electron, and Lam Research for his planned Terafab project, an
early step toward entering advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Representatives
of the Tesla–SpaceX joint venture requested pricing and delivery timelines for
tools including lithography-related components, etching, deposition, cleaning,
and testing equipment, according to people familiar with the matter. Samsung
Electronics was also approached but instead proposed expanding Tesla capacity at
its Texas fab. Intel said it will participate in the initiative. The outreach
highlights Musk’s push to advance Terafab despite industry skepticism, with
suppliers asked for rapid quotes with limited technical detail.
