Mass production at Samsung’s massive semiconductor facility in Taylor, Texas is reportedly being pushed into early next year, raising questions about when Tesla’s next-generation AI chips will enter large-scale manufacturing.
According to multiple sources cited by Korea JoongAng Daily, the production ramp at the Taylor fab has slipped again. While the plant has begun limited pilot operations, full-scale output remains in flux.
“It appears that even internally at Samsung, the timeline for the start of mass production has not yet been finalized,” a source familiar with developments told the publication. “The schedule has continued to slip, and it is now understood that a full-scale ramp-up for a meaningful volume output could be pushed to early next year.”
Another semiconductor industry source added: “The plant has begun pilot operations, but full-scale manufacturing has already been significantly delayed. The timeline appears to shift frequently, and there is no clear start-of-production milestone,” noting that there appear to be factory utilization issues.
Tesla AI5 and AI6 Chips Tied to Taylor Ramp
The delay is particularly notable given Samsung’s $16.5 billion chip agreement with Tesla, announced in July last year, to manufacture its upcoming AI6 chip. CEO Elon Musk later confirmed that Samsung would also produce a portion of Tesla’s AI5 chips.
Samsung’s Taylor site is expected to play a central role in manufacturing the company’s second-generation 2-nanometer (SF2P) process, which is designed for high-performance computing and AI workloads — exactly the kind of silicon Tesla needs for Full Self-Driving (FSD) and future Optimus applications.
Earlier this year, Samsung executives indicated that second-generation 2nm mass production was targeted for the second half of 2026. However, a company spokesperson has since clarified that references to “start of production” should be interpreted as readiness for operations by the end of 2026 — a distinction that suggests meaningful volume output could take longer.
Musk previously stated that AI5 mass production is expected around mid-2027, which could provide some buffer if the Texas ramp remains gradual.
Construction Progress Continues
Despite the shifting mass-production timeline, activity at the Taylor site is ongoing. Samsung has secured a temporary certificate of occupancy covering part of Fab 1 and is reportedly preparing to begin extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tool testing as early as March.
The Taylor project, first announced in 2021, spans millions of square feet and represents one of the largest semiconductor investments in North America. Roughly 7,000 workers have been active on site during peak construction, and Samsung has recently posted 180 job openings tied to equipment readiness, yield engineering, and manufacturing support.
For now, pilot lines are running — but true mass production appears to be a 2027 story.
