Six months after Chen Liwu embarked on Intel's transformation journey, the struggling semiconductor giant finally welcomed a major hardware upgrade.

On Thursday, Intel launched its new processor codenamed Panther Lake. This marks the next generation of Intel Core Ultra processor family and is also the first chip manufactured using Intel's 18A semiconductor process.

These processors are expected to start shipping later this year, and they are being produced at Intel's Fab52 factory in Chandler, Arizona, which began operations in 2025.

Intel

In the company's press release, Chen Liwu stated that we are entering an exciting new era of computing, driven by significant breakthroughs in semiconductor technology, which will shape the industry landscape for decades to come. He emphasized that the next-generation computing platform, combining leading process technology, manufacturing, and advanced packaging capabilities, will serve as a catalyst for business innovation, helping to build a new Intel.

At the same time, Intel also previewed the Xeon6+ processor codenamed Clearwater Forest, the company's first server processor based on the 18A process. Intel expects the product to be released in the first half of 2026.

This is the largest manufacturing announcement from the company since Chen Liwu took over as CEO in March. In his first few weeks on the job, Chen clearly stated that he would refocus the company on its core business and restore an engineer-centric culture.

This announcement also highlighted the close connection between the 18A semiconductor process and the United States. The company's press release specifically pointed out that it is the most advanced chip manufacturing process produced domestically in the United States.

In his statement, Chen said that the United States has always been the base for Intel's most advanced research, product design, and manufacturing. They are proud to continue this tradition, bringing new innovations to the market while expanding domestic operations.

In August, just weeks after Chen met with U.S. President Trump at the White House to discuss how Intel and the government could work together to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, the U.S. government acquired a 10% stake in Intel.

This launch is of great significance to Intel. As the former chip leader, Intel has lagged behind TSMC and Samsung in process technology in recent years, and its market share has been continuously eroded. Chen took over a company that needs to be completely reshaped from technology to culture. The breakthrough in the 18A process is not only a technical advancement but also a key step for Intel to regain its leadership in the industry. In the context of geopolitical factors driving the return of semiconductor manufacturing to the United States, Intel's ability to produce the most advanced chips domestically has made it an indispensable strategic asset in the eyes of the U.S. government. Whether this transformation will succeed remains to be seen in the coming years.