371: Chapter 371 TSMC didn't survive on handouts.

That afternoon, the CCTV team, having not yet departed, conducted another interview.

In just a few short days, appearing on the 30-minute news twice in a row—this was a testament to their strength.

The reporter looked at the wafer fab manager, Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing, and asked, "Factory Manager Yuan, does opening up our 22nm process mean that the domestic 22nm process has become highly mature?"

The reporter looked expectant as he finished speaking; after all, this was a significant signal.

A signal of truly breaking free from the international supply chain.

"For now, yes. This 22nm line can utilize the domestic 193nm dry Lithography Machine. Internationally, it is considered outdated and cannot compare to advanced immersion systems, but with the support of our technology, it has achieved the possibility of transforming from outdated to advanced."

"Furthermore, it has made large-scale mass production possible, which means more Chinese Chip Design companies can afford it and have access to it."

"In the future, every mobile phone company will have its own chips, and having a design department will no longer be a fantasy."

The reporter applauded in front of the camera, and after receiving permission, began preparing to cut to the commercial.

"Your company's goal is indeed... what considerations went into this pricing strategy?"

Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing smiled. "Actually, there weren't many considerations. We are not a charity, but we aren't robbers either."

"Although our peers in the industry keep calling us robbers, we are truly just collecting reasonable profits. Our ultimate goal is to build up the Chinese semiconductor ecosystem."

"In the future, this pie will only get bigger, and we will get a larger share of it."

This statement was quite artful: Transsion wanted to be the leader, not a monopolist.

This report jumped the queue that evening and was featured on CCTV News once again.

Transsion trended on social media once again.

#TranssionIsFair#

Meanwhile, in the TSMC conference room at the Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan, a meeting had been ongoing for over three hours.

The vice president in charge of expanding into the Chinese market was currently fuming like a pufferfish.

Even in his anger, he continued to work.

"Based on this pricing, they aren't just stealing orders; they are forcing the entire Chinese semiconductor industry to upgrade."

They had a plan laid out on paper: Transsion was using their advanced 22nm process, combined with fair, conscientious pricing, to pull all design companies into their ecosystem.

Furthermore, according to their investigation, Transsion had opened up its own EDA design tools. Every manufacturer could use them, except for TSMC.

This meant that once they started using them and got accustomed to them, it would be impossible to switch back to TSMC.

Morris Chang stared at the Morning Star Lithography Machine. "How did they achieve their Quadruple Patterning technology?"

The technical lead shook his head. It wasn't that they hadn't considered Quadruple Patterning; they had even tested the technology.

But the final yield had only been 20%. According to their projections, the upper limit was no more than 40%, so they ultimately chose to abandon it...

But now.

"Boss, there is one more thing. The semiconductor fund sent us a message: the quote for the Morning Star series 193 dry Lithography Machine is 80 million."

Morris Chang did not speak, but his eyes were once again fixed on the Morning Star on the PPT.

The company was still performing as usual in terms of its "high-tech profit shredder."

"80 million? That's so cheap?"

"This price is less than half of what ASML charges."

"It's more than that! According to the information they provided, this 193 dry machine consumes 30% less energy than ASML's equivalent product. When you calculate the annual maintenance costs for consumables, you can save enough to pay for one-third of a machine."

Lower prices, lower maintenance costs, lower operating costs—these facts kept the small flame of desire burning inside Morris Chang.

Although TSMC didn't have Quadruple Patterning technology, they could research it, and they already had a large number of 193 dry machines running in their mature processes.

Automotive chips, power devices, older MCUs... these businesses might seem insignificant, but they were the bedrock of their cash flow.

While ASML's machines were stable, those rising maintenance fees and consumable costs were like a dull knife cutting away at their flesh, having long since taken a large bite out of their profits.

Quadruple Patterning... perhaps the Morning Star Lithography Machine held some unique secret that, if utilized, could significantly increase their yield.

"What's the lead time?"

Morris Chang felt a surge of intense desire.

The procurement manager, seeing that the boss was interested, quickly reported:

"They previously said the first batch would take 18 months to deliver, and with subsequent capacity ramp-up stabilizing, supply would take about two years."

"However, thanks to our team's efforts, they can set aside one machine for us to trial."

"If we can place an additional order for over 10 units within these 18 months, they can squeeze out two more for us."

"The rest will have to wait in line."

"However, I do have a concern: if we purchase so many at once, will it affect ASML?"

The people in the conference room fell into thought once more; ASML was indeed an unavoidable topic.

Moreover, ASML wasn't just ASML; their technology wasn't independent, and the entire upstream and downstream supply chain would be affected.

But this Morning Star equipment's supply chain was completely independent, which meant it wasn't subject to any constraints.

Conversely, this was also the most dangerous aspect. A certain country would never allow such equipment to flow into the world's largest wafer fab and let it gradually replace ASML.

After all, under their manipulation, ASML was the last seedling in the field of Lithography Machines and must not be allowed to starve.

"Has a risk assessment been conducted?" asked another executive, Wei Jiazhe.

The head of legal affairs quickly replied, "According to current regulations, the 193 model is not among the restricted advanced equipment. Huajin International was able to purchase it directly previously."

"Current restrictions mainly target immersion DUVs, and based on the technical specifications, it won't trigger any clauses."

"It might be aimed at them," someone raised an objection.

"It's still different; they can use any excuse to cut off our supply chain."

Morris Chang still did not speak; his gaze remained fixed on the diagram of the Morning Star Lithography Machine.

He recalled how, at the forum last year, Zhang Xiaoqiang had shaken his head at the CEO of ASML.

The equipment was too expensive.

The price of a single machine was almost enough to cover the investment for an entire mature process line.

Moreover, ASML had long had TSMC in their pocket, knowing they couldn't do without DUV maintenance and consumables. With prices rising every year, TSMC was almost working for them on mature processes.

And this Morning Star machine was like a knife plunged directly into ASML's foundation.

"We are TSMC!"

As soon as Morris Chang spoke, the entire conference room fell silent.

"The world's number one wafer fab does not survive on handouts of technology from others!"