Samsung Electronics and Tesla ($TSLA@US) have begun negotiations on a 7-nanometer chip. The talks have lasted most of the year regarding a new chip for the Hardware 4 system that will power future Tesla vehicles. With Tesla CEO Elon Musk announcing that the company would roll out new hardware for self-driving vehicles in "about a year or so," a new contract would provide continuity for the automaker. (Samsung currently produces chips for the Hardware 3 system.) Both Samsung and Tesla stock saw increased volume in early trading on Thursday.