Nikon weaponizes lower prices to break ASML's lithography monopoly

Nikon is challenging ASML's dominance in the lithography market by leveraging lower pricing strategies. New CEO Yasuhiro Ohmura revealed that Nikon intends to undercut ASML's prices for argon fluoride... Read original →

Nikon’s aggressive pricing in the ArF DUV segment reflects desperation more than strategic strength. While it may trigger short-term price pressure on mature-node tools, ASML’s entrenched integration at 3nm—beyond just hardware—remains unassailable. Geopolitical export controls have turned non-EUV lithography into a quasi-sanctioned gray zone; Nikon’s cost advantage means little if Chinese foundries like SMIC can’t trust its long-term support or compatibility. ASML won’t slash prices but will reinforce loyalty via service bundling and allocation priority. Over the next 12–24 months, Nikon might gain marginal traction in mainland China, yet without seamless ecosystem interoperability by its 2028 platform launch, its lithography division risks irreversible marginalization.