---
title: 2025 MCU Lead Time Extensions and Supplier Challenges
description: Discover 2025 MCU lead time extensions and supply issues impacting electronic components. Trust Fusion Worldwide for obsolete parts sourcing. Get a fast quote today.
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 09.19.2025

# MCU Lead Time Crisis in 2026: Which Suppliers Are Falling Behind and By How Much

[ Ashley Papa ](https://info.fusionww.com/blog/author/ashley-papa)

Despite post-crisis recovery, [microcontroller (MCU)](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/catalog/1136/microcontrollers) shortages are back. In August 2025, average lead times rose by three days to 13–14 weeks, driven by surging demand in EVs, AI, and industrial automation. The tightest pressure is on mature nodes (40 nm and above) where roughly 70% of automotive MCUs are produced are hit hardest. Geopolitical tensions and lagging foundry expansion at TSMC and GlobalFoundries are compounding the strain.  

Key Takeaways

**MCU shortages are returning across legacy and mature nodes. **Demand from EVs, AI, and industrial automation is putting renewed pressure on mature-node MCUs, especially the 40 nm and above products widely used in automotive systems. 

**Automotive and industrial buyers face the greatest lead time risk. **NXP, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Renesas, TI, and Microchip are all seeing extended lead times across critical MCU families used in powertrain, safety, IoT, automation, and control applications. 

**Pricing pressure is building as allocation tightens. **Rising demand, constrained foundry capacity, and tariff-related market shifts are pushing manufacturers and distributors toward higher pricing, with some MCU portfolios already seeing double-digit increases. 

**Procurement teams need earlier forecasting and supplier flexibility. **As shortages extend into 2026, buyers should plan further ahead, monitor high-risk MPNs, secure coverage earlier, and avoid relying on standard allocation alone. 

While this is not as severe as the 2021 crisis that halted production of 2.5 million vehicles, the risk of delays and rising costs is growing. KPMG forecasts 9.5% semiconductor market growth this year, but it will be unevenly distributed — booming in AI and advanced computing, while legacy MCU segments remain constrained.  Below, we break down where the bottlenecks are, which manufacturers are most affected, how pricing is shifting, and practical steps companies can take to manage allocation risk. 

## **NXP Semiconductors: **Strained Automotive and IoT Supply 

[NXP Semiconductors](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/114/NXP?categoryId=1136) faces lead times extending from 12 to 20 weeks, driven by demand for its [SPC5](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/3466740/SPC5741PK1AMLQ8R) series (used in automotive powertrain and chassis), [LPC1](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4290558/LPC1768FET100) series for industrial IoT, [MIMX8](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4288451/MIMX8QM5CVUFFAB) microprocessors crucial for infotainment and AI accelerators, is particularly constrained, with distributors reporting urgent customer needs. NXP’s automotive-grade chips, vital for ASIL-D safety systems, reflect the sector’s reliance on older nodes. Past disruptions, like the 2021 Texas winter storm impacting NXP’s Austin fab, highlight vulnerabilities.  

## **Infineon Technologies: **AURIX Family Faces EV-Driven Demand 

[Infineon Technologies ](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/66/INFIN)is facing 20–30 week lead times for its [AURIX](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4275940/SAK-TC297TP-128F300S%20BC) family, particularly the [SAK-TC](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4293410/SAK-TC277T-64F200N%20DC) and [TC297T](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4291557/SAK-TC297TX-128F300N%20BC) series, used in safety-critical systems such as ADAS and EV power management. These TriCore-based MCUs, certified to ASIL-D standards, remain in strong demand as EV adoption and data center growth accelerate. 

In its Q2 2025 earnings call, CEO Jochen Hanebeck flagged “imbalance risks” even while projecting $1 billion in AI-related revenue. To expand AURIX output, Infineon is ramping production at its new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Austria and leveraging GlobalFoundries partnerships, alongside launching its OPTIREG™ PMIC line to address EV bottlenecks. 

Still, with automotive driving nearly half of Infineon’s sales, exposure to geopolitical shocks — like the Renesas fire in 2021 — remains a pressing risk. 

## **Texas Instruments: **Balancing Price Hikes and Market Expansion 

Facing surging demand from industrial and automotive markets, [Texas Instruments (TI)](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/179/TI) is grappling with long lead times and broad price hikes as it works to balance supply and pricing strategies. Its [TMS320](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4262335/TMS320F28375SZWTT) DSPs (for audio and control) and [MSP430](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4296198/MSP430F5171IRSBR) low-power MCUs (for IoT and wearables) currently sit at 20–40 weeks. 

In June 2025, TI raised prices 10–30% on more than 60,000 parts, including MCUs, following tariff-driven shifts in demand, although the company has signaled some room for negotiation. 

Q2 2025 results showed resilient EV orders despite cuts elsewhere, with fab investments underway. TI’s analog integration offers leverage, but shortages in industrial controls challenge pricing power. After years of price cuts eroding margins, TI’s hikes aim to stabilize profitability, but buyers should negotiate to offset costs, according to distributor insights.  

 

## **STMicroelectronics: **Longest Lead Times Hit STM32 Series 

[STMicroelectronics](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/152) is reporting some of the industry’s longest lead times, now averaging 28 weeks after extensions began in June. Demand is highest for the [STM32F4](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/152) (high-performance Arm Cortex-M4) and and [STM32G](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4164992/STM32G0B1CET6) (general-purpose) series are heavily requested, fueled by consumer, automotive, and industrial markets.  Q2 2025 earnings results highlighted shortages for both [MCUs](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/catalog/1136/microcontrollers) and [MEMS sensors](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/product/4292931/LSM6DSV32X), driving prices higher as backlogs clear. Automotive-focused [SPC series](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=SPC&manufacturers=152) parts remain especially scarce, with global logistics disruptions tied to conflicts and cold-chain requirements. While ST’s peripheral-rich chips add value, lead times for [TSX series](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=TSX&manufacturers=152) hit 55 weeks and CLF lines 22 weeks. Analysts warn that without expanded outsourcing, delays could extend into 2026, without expanded outsourcing, delays could extend into 2026, making proactive forecasting critical for buyers. 

 

## **Renesas Electronics: **High Demand for R5 Series 

[Renesas Electronics](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/134/RENES) is seeing strong demand strong demand for its[ R5F2](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=+R5F2+&manufacturers=134) and [R5F5](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=+R5F5&manufacturers=134) series (used in engine controls and body electronics), with lead times currently running 20–45 weeks. The company ships about 3.5 billion MCUs annually, half to automotive customers, and is facing added pressure from EV and renewable energy markets. Q2 2025 results highlighted growth in AI-driven applications, led by the [RA8P1](https://www.renesas.com/en/products/ra8p1?srsltid=AfmBOooUepjB8NctTBI9pOyC25pZ4wxpJEP2mNzPnSaznT3i5Med2eHa) (1GHz, AI-accelerated). The 2021 Naka fab fire, which wiped out 20% of capacity and took over 100 days to recover, underscores lingering supply risks. Renesas is leaning further into its fab-light model, boosting outsourcing by 50% in 2025, while maintaining solid demand in China. Even so, rising global inventory levels are a warning sign, with shortages expected to persist into 2026. 

 

## **Microchip Technology: **Industrial Demand Fuels ATMEGA and PIC18F 

[Microchip Technology](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/manufacturers/99/MICCP) reports robust industrial demand for its [ATMEGA AVR](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=ATMEGA%20AVR%20) and[ PIC18F](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=+PIC18F+&manufacturers=99) series, with lead times at 20–30 weeks. These [8- and 16-bit MCUs](https://www.fusionww.com/shop/catalog/1136/microcontrollers?manufacturers=99) dominate legacy IoT and automation, driven by water management and chip fab growth. Prices for parts like [ATMEGA88PA](https://www.fusionww.com/search?tab=shop&term=ATMEGA88PA) have stabilized, but automotive PIC lines remain tight. In Q2 2025, the company announced $300 million in new investments in India to expand capacity. Microchip’s [Eclipse-based IDEs](https://developerhelp.microchip.com/xwiki/bin/view/software-tools/linux/egt-eclipse/) ease adoption, but channel depletions persist amid industrial upside. While stock is relatively ample for non-automotive uses, channel inventories remain depleted, and overall demand continues to outpace supply, signaling ongoing constraints. 

 

### **Top Requested MCU’s in the past month:** 

| **MPN**  | **Manufacturer**  | **Description**  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TC297TP128F300SBCKXUMA1  | Infineon  |  TriCore Aurix 32-Bit MCU  |
| SAK-TC364DP-64F300F AA  | Infineon  |  TriCore Aurix 32-Bit MCU  |
| R5F21276SNFP#V2  | Renesas  |  16-Bit MCU  |
| 14305R-2000  | Renesas  |  8-Bit MCU  |
| STM32F429NIH6  | ST Micro  |  ARM Cortex 32-Bit MCU  |
| R7F7016844AFP-C#BA1  | Renesas  |  32-Bit MCU  |
| ST10R167-Q3  | ST Micro  |  16-Bit MCU  |
| SPC5744PK1AMLQ5  | NXP  |  32-Bit Dual Core MCU  |
| PIC24FJ256GU406-I/PT  | Microchip  |  16-Bit MCU  |
| R5F571MLDDFC#10  | Renesas  |  32-Bit MCU  |
| DF2166VT33V  | Renesas  |  H8 16-Bit MCU  |
| MCF52277CVM160  | NXP  |  Coldfire 32-Bit MCU  |
| STM32F401CEU6  | ST Micro  |  ARM Cortex 32-Bit MCU  |

 

The MCU shortage is again straining automotive, industrial, and AI supply chains, raising the risk of delays reminiscent of 2021’s disruptions. As S&P Global warns of “looming constraints,” buyers need clear strategies to secure parts and mitigate risk. [Fusion Worldwide](https://www.fusionww.com/) combines market insights with global sourcing expertise to support customers through supply disruption and volatility. [Contact us](https://usc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&wopisrc=https%3A%2F%2Ffusionww.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FMarketing2%2F_vti_bin%2Fwopi.ashx%2Ffiles%2F63f0d441af564b4eb607ddfe3111d4e8&wdenableroaming=1&mscc=1&hid=5519C5C8-3B21-4C13-9E9F-C3006D6B6E5F.0&uih=sharepointcom&wdlcid=en-US&jsapi=1&jsapiver=v2&corrid=e96d8a6a-58a3-3ede-4118-bda7da46dd19&usid=e96d8a6a-58a3-3ede-4118-bda7da46dd19&newsession=1&sftc=1&uihit=docaspx&muv=1&ats=PairwiseBroker&cac=1&sams=1&mtf=1&sfp=1&sdp=1&hch=1&hwfh=1&dchat=1&sc=%7B%22pmo%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Ffusionww.sharepoint.com%22%2C%22pmshare%22%3Atrue%7D&ctp=LeastProtected&rct=Normal&wdorigin=Sharing.ServerTransfer&afdflight=41&csiro=1&instantedit=1&wopicomplete=1&wdredirectionreason=Unified_SingleFlush) to learn more. 

## **Frequently Asked Questions**

### **What is the status of global MCU lead times as of August 2025?**

Average lead times have risen to 13–14 weeks, driven by demand in EVs, AI, and industrial automation. Mature nodes (40 nm and above), which account for roughly 70% of automotive MCUs, are facing the tightest pressure.

### **Which NXP product lines are currently experiencing the most significant delays?**

NXP faces lead times of 12 to 20 weeks, specifically impacting the SPC5 series for automotive, LPC1 series for industrial IoT, and MIMX8 microprocessors. Automotive-grade chips vital for ASIL-D safety systems are particularly constrained.

### **How is Infineon Technologies addressing supply bottlenecks for its AURIX family?**

Infineon is ramping up production at its new facility in Austria and leveraging partnerships with GlobalFoundries. Additionally, they are launching the OPTIREG™ PMIC line to help alleviate EV-related bottlenecks.

### **What pricing changes has Texas Instruments implemented regarding its MCUs?**

In June 2025, Texas Instruments raised prices by 10–30% on over 60,000 parts, including MCUs, to stabilize profitability. While these hikes are broad, the company has signaled some room for negotiation.

### **What are the current lead time expectations for STMicroelectronics products?**

STMicroelectronics reports average lead times of 28 weeks, with the TSX series reaching up to 55 weeks. Analysts warn that delays could extend into 2026 without expanded outsourcing.

### **How is Renesas Electronics modifying its manufacturing strategy to handle demand?**

Renesas is leaning further into a fab-light model, increasing outsourcing by 50% in 2025. Despite this, lead times for their popular R5 series remain between 20 and 45 weeks.

[Fusion: Market Intelligence](https://info.fusionww.com/blog/tag/fusion-market-intelligence), [Fusion: Insights](https://info.fusionww.com/blog/tag/fusion-insights)