>be Nexperia
>founded in 2017 after spinning off from NXP Semiconductors
>based in Netherlands, makes basic but crucial chips for cars and phones

>2021
>Chinese company Wingtech Technology quietly buys 100% of Nexperia
>Netherlands shrugs at first, because "globalization good"
>UK version of Nexperia (Newport Wafer Fab) also gets snapped up by same Chinese parent
>everyone suddenly realizes strategic chips ≠ Lego bricks
>UK gov forces Wingtech/Nexperia to sell Newport plant in 2023 on national security grounds
>EU starts sweating about dependency

>2024–2025
>EU begins enforcement of new anti-coercion, foreign-subsidy, and security screening laws
>Commission starts looking into Chinese state-linked tech acquisitions
>finds out that Wingtech’s funding chain goes through Chinese government investment vehicles
>Brussels not amused

>October 2025
>EU blocks exports and payment flows tied to some Chinese parent structures under new screening measures
>Nexperia’s European entities trapped in compliance limbo
>can’t legally ship chips to automakers because ownership and export license status unclear
>factories still running but nothing leaves the warehouses
>ACEA: “oh god we can’t build cars without these chips”
>stockpiles will dry up in weeks
>every automaker from VW to Stellantis starts panic emails

>EU governments debating whether to seize or nationalize Nexperia Europe operations
>China threatens retaliation on rare earth exports
>brussels_meeting.exe crashes

>tfw a corporate ownership change from four years ago now threatens to halt Europe’s car production

Source: https://www.acea.auto/press-release/acea-calls-for-quick-resolution-to-critical-chip-supply-shortage/