NEC and Renesas in Merger Talks
NEC Electronics and Renesas have entered talks to strike a merger deal to create a new entity which would become the largest semiconductor company in Japan, and number three globally behind Intel and Samsung with leading market share in micro-controllers and system-on-chip products for cars and mobile devices, capable of generating roughly $13 billion in combined yearly sales.
According to several media reports, the two plan to complete discussions by July to reach an agreement and launch the company, pending federal regulatory approval, in April 2010. Hitachi and Mitsubishi share joint control of Renesas, which also delivers product under the SH-Mobile brand.