Nvidia Corp. is hiring more people in China this year to focus on research and self-driving car technologies.
The company, which is the second most valuable in the world, will end the year with about 4,000 workers. This is a big jump from the 3,000 employees it had at the start of 2024, according to people who know the details. In Beijing, Nvidia hired around 200 new team members to work on self-driving technology. The company also grew its after-sales and software teams, one person shared.
Nvidia, based in Santa Clara, California, is hiring more people globally to meet the high demand for its AI chips. Even though the US has restricted Nvidia from selling its top chips to China, the country still made $5.4 billion in sales for the company in the September quarter. China remains important for Nvidia, both as a market and a research center.
However, Nvidia is facing challenges. China’s antitrust regulators have started an investigation into Nvidia’s 2020 purchase of Mellanox. This deal was approved earlier with conditions but is now being reviewed. The investigation started after Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, spoke positively about China’s tech contributions during a trip to Hong Kong. This probe could result in fines or new rules for the company.
Nvidia has not commented on the investigation. Experts believe this is part of the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. The US has threatened more tariffs on Chinese goods, while China has banned exporting some key materials.
China has supported its electric vehicle (EV) industry, helping it become a leader in EV technology. This has made EVs more affordable and innovative. Nvidia has been working on self-driving and AI technology for over ten years but has not achieved major success yet. Its China team is in a good position to work with local car companies interested in these technologies.
As of February, Nvidia had 29,600 employees across 36 countries. In China, it has grown steadily, with nearly 600 people now working in Beijing. The company also opened a new office in Zhongguancun, a major tech hub in China.
