European vehicle production faces fresh uncertainty after the Dutch government imposed emergency governance measures on semiconductor maker Nexperia.
The move has prompted concerns over chip supplies to car manufacturers and their suppliers.
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The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs has invoked the Goods Availability Act, prohibiting Nexperia from relocating parts of the business, dismissing executives, or taking other major strategic decisions without government consent for one year.
It said the action follows identified management issues that could jeopardise the availability of semiconductors critical to Dutch and European industry.
Nexperia stated that day-to-day operations can continue.
The move comes after the Dutch Enterprise Chamber, following an emergency hearing on 7 October 2025, provisionally expressed doubts about Nexperia’s management under former CEO Zhang Xuezheng, who has been suspended.
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By GlobalDataEffective immediately, CFO Stefan Tilger assumed the role of interim CEO.
Achim Kempe will remain COO, and CLO Ruben Lichtenberg will serve as the statutory director of Nexperia Holding and Nexperia, alongside Guido Dierick, who has been appointed by the Enterprise Chamber as a non-executive director.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) warned that Nexperia is a high-volume supplier of components widely used in electronic control units and other vehicle electrical systems.
ACEA represents 16 Europe-based manufacturers of cars, vans, trucks and buses such as BMW Group, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Mercedes‑Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group and Volvo Group.
According to ACEA, the interruption of deliveries could halt production at parts suppliers and lead to stoppages on vehicle assembly lines.
Although alternative chips are available from other suppliers, re-homologation and ramp-up would take several months, ACEA said, adding that existing stocks of Nexperia components may run out within weeks.
ACEA director general Sigrid de Vries said: “Automakers have taken steps over the last years to diversify supply chains but risk cannot be mitigated down to zero. This is a cross-industry issue affecting a large number of suppliers and virtually all of our members.
“We suddenly find ourselves in this alarming situation. We really need quick and pragmatic solutions from all countries involved”
Pressure on Nexperia has also intensified due to export rules in the US and China.
On 29 September, the US Bureau of Industry and Security extended export controls to entities at least 50% owned by companies on the US Entity List.
Wingtech, Nexperia’s parent, had previously been placed on that list, bringing Nexperia within scope of the restrictions.
On 4 October, China’s Ministry of Commerce prohibited Nexperia China and its subcontractors from exporting certain finished components and subassemblies produced in China.
Nexperia has informed automakers and suppliers that the sequence of regulatory actions could prevent it from guaranteeing chip deliveries to the automotive supply chain.
