Tesla Secures Intel 18A Chip Supply, Options Volume Ranks Second on June 16
TSLA•Tesla emerged as one of three marquee customers for Intel’s 18A process, which began shipping Panther Lake chips in early 2026 but won’t reach cost-effective yields until late 2026. On June 16, Tesla’s options ranked second in individual company trading volume, trailing only SpaceX and Nvidia.
1. Tesla Named Marquee Intel Foundry Customer
Tesla was listed among marquee customers for Intel’s 18A process technology, joining Nvidia and Google in initial production contracts for the advanced node.
2. Chip Yield Delays Extend to Late 2026
Intel began high-volume manufacturing of 18A in October 2025 but does not expect yields to reach cost-effective levels until the end of 2026, potentially delaying Tesla’s access to optimized chips.
3. Second-Largest Options Trading Volume
On June 16, Tesla’s options ranked second in trading volume among individual companies, exceeded only by SpaceX and Nvidia, indicating elevated investor interest in Tesla derivatives.
