Neuro-Trend
April Trends – Is Korea’s Manufacturing Revenue Expected to Decline in Q2? (AI Talent / HBM / Semiconductor / Manufacturing)
China Intensifies Competition for AI Talent
As China’s AI industry rapidly grows, competition among related companies to secure talent is intensifying. This is interpreted as a result of generative AI products such as DeepSeek accelerating technological advancement, which has significantly increased demand for specialized talent such as AI algorithm engineers.
In fact, job openings for algorithm engineers have increased by more than 20% year-over-year, and high salaries are being offered for these positions. Nevertheless, the supply of AI experts is not keeping up with demand. As companies gradually lower hiring barriers, competition for AI talent is expected to become even more intense in the future.
Hyundai Motor Realizes ‘Future Mobility’ through HMGMA
Hyundai Motor Group has established the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), an advanced manufacturing innovation base in the United States. HMGMA is a smart factory with an annual production capacity of 300,000 units, and a software-defined factory (SDF) operated by digitizing all production process data.
In particular, the full automation of the heavy vehicle door assembly process and the precision paint quality inspection technology using robot-integrated vision systems have been introduced for the first time in the world, drawing attention.
This site is being developed as a so-called “advanced future vehicle cluster,” where not only a finished vehicle production plant but also key automotive parts affiliates, a battery cell joint venture plant, and domestic partner companies supplying parts to HMGMA are integrated, and high synergy effects are expected.
Semiconductor Equipment Companies Growing with the HBM Boom
As demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) surges due to the rapid growth of the AI industry, semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies in the HBM supply chain are drawing attention.
In particular, as Micron has predicted that the HBM market will grow 1.8 times this year, performance growth is expected for domestic semiconductor equipment companies that have joined the supply chains of major memory semiconductor companies.
Among them, Hanwha Vision (Semitech) and Digital Frontier have signed supply contracts worth hundreds of billions of KRW with SK hynix, raising expectations for performance growth.
This HBM boom provides new growth opportunities for semiconductor equipment companies, and they are expected to play a more important role in the HBM supply chain in the future.
Korea’s Manufacturing Outlook for Q2 Expected to ‘Decline’
According to a survey by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, Korea’s manufacturing revenue in the second quarter of this year is expected to decrease compared to the previous quarter.
The Business Survey Index (BSI) for manufacturing revenue in Q2 2025 is 95, which is below the benchmark (100) for four consecutive quarters. On the other hand, the display sector recorded 111, exceeding the benchmark and showing a positive trend.
Manufacturers cited weak domestic demand, inventory accumulation, and continued external uncertainty as negative factors in business operations.
Regarding the Trump tariff policy, which is another management risk, it is expected to have effects such as reduced price competitiveness of key products, increased transaction costs, and decreased profits.
HD Hyundai Improves Speed & Quality with AI Technology
HD Hyundai is enhancing the reliability of ship paint quality inspection by utilizing AI technology. It has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with major classification societies under the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to develop a paint quality management system.
Through this, quality standards and inspection procedures will be standardized, and transparency at the site will be strengthened by sharing real-time results.
The inspection method, which was previously conducted visually, will be converted to a non-face-to-face digital method, improving inspection efficiency. In the future, the burden of attendance inspection by shipowners is also expected to decrease, ultimately having a positive impact on both speed and quality across shipyard processes.
Sharp Decline in Chinese Battery Imports – Will K-Batteries Recover?
U.S. imports of Chinese batteries in February decreased by 59% year-over-year, raising expectations for the domestic battery industry.
In particular, since March, the Trump administration has consecutively strengthened tariffs on China, reducing the price competitiveness of Chinese batteries. On the other hand, during the same period, imports of non-Chinese batteries such as those from Korea and Japan more than doubled, and domestic battery companies such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are expecting clear benefits.
As additional tariffs on automotive parts are also expected amid the restructuring of supply chains, exports of Chinese batteries are likely to shrink further in the future. However, for domestic battery companies that have steadily expanded production bases in the United States, this is expected to become a strategic opportunity.
