IC Market to top $300 billion in 2013

This is one of those stories that has been floating around the semiconductor industry since the mid 90's:

IC market to top $300 billion in 2013 - ElectroIQ.

However, IC sales will exceed $300 billion for the first time in 2013. The IC market first topped $10 billion in 1980, $100 billion in 1995, and $200 billion in 2005. While 10 years passed from $100 billion to $200 billion, the $200 billion to $300 billion jump will take only 8.

I believe Gartner (at that time they were known as Dataquest) was the first to put out a forecast that talked about $300 billion in annual sales. After the dot.com bust not many were willing to venture out on the limb.

Long range forecasting in times of uncertainty...... I dunno.... I suppose somebody's got to do it!

And the strongest growth will happen in... drumroll..... :

The largest growth for IC application segments will belong to automotive chips. Analog vehicle chips will see 32% market growth in 2011. The Automotive Special Purpose Logic/MPR segment and 32-bit MCUs won't be far behind. Sophisticated safety systems, driver information systems, and engine control units will keep the automotive IC market active through 2015

Very cool!