TE vs Amphenol: Patent Battle Over Waterproof Connectors Reshapes Auto Market

A major patent fight between TE Connectivity and Amphenol is shaking up the $7.2 billion automotive connector market. The dispute centers on waterproof board-to-wire connectors, crucial for vehicle safety. It could affect supply chains for Tesla, BYD, and slow the spread of 800V electric vehicle (EV) tech.

These connectors must meet the IP67 standard—protecting against dust and temporary water immersion. For EVs, this is vital: a faulty connector in high-voltage systems could cause safety issues or power loss.

“EVs need 30% more connectors than traditional cars, and 800V systems make waterproofing even more important,” says Dr. Elena Rodriguez of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

TE filed lawsuits in early 2024, accusing Amphenol of copying its patented designs, including a “multi-layer sealing mechanism” that cuts water ingress by 90%.

Amphenol hit back, saying its “FlexSeal” tech (used in Tesla’s Model 3 and Y) was developed independently, with 4,200 hours of testing before TE’s patents.

Tesla gets 40% of its high-voltage connectors from TE and 35% from Amphenol. It’s now talking to other suppliers like Yazaki. BYD has upped orders from China’s Luxshare Precision by 20%.

“A court-ordered halt could delay production by 6–8 weeks, costing Tesla $50M a week,” warns analyst Maria Sanchez.

800V EVs charge 50% faster than 400V models but need tough waterproof connectors. TE and Amphenol control 72% of this market.

“800V adoption could slow by 15–20% if supplies are limited, delaying faster-charging EVs by a year or more,” says James Wilson of Automotive Innovation Group.

TE’s stock dropped 3.2% after Amphenol’s countersuit; Amphenol’s rose 2.1%. Rulings in U.S. and European cases are expected by mid-2025.

“Whoever wins holds a key to the 800V revolution,” adds Dr. Rodriguez.