As of Q1 2026, the surge in demand for AI servers and new energy vehicles (NEVs) has triggered a new cycle of price increases for passive components (MLCCs, aluminum capacitors) and semiconductor wafer foundry capacity. Major manufacturers, including Murata and Yageo, have officially announced price adjustments, with some automotive-grade products seeing hikes of 10%-30% and significantly extended lead times. In this environment, downstream manufacturers are shifting their priority from "price comparison" to "supply assurance," leading to a sharp increase in demand for multi-source procurement and strategic inventory. Electronics-Seeker recommends clients proactively lock in supply for critical parts and evaluate qualified domestic alternatives to mitigate cost risks.