Dutch officials in September effectively took control of the Netherlands-based chipmaker Nexperia, whose Chinese parent company Wingtech is backed by Beijing.

China responded by banning re-exports of the firm's chips, triggering warnings from automakers of production stoppages as the components are critical to onboard electronics.

But Beijing announced at the weekend it would exempt some chips from the export ban, reportedly part of a trade deal agreed by President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump.

Aumovio, which supplies components like sensors and displays to top automakers, said it had "received an export license from the Chinese government to export Nexperia chips".

"We received the written confirmation yesterday," a spokeswoman for the group, until recently part of Continental, told AFP.

Speaking to reporters at climate talks in Brazil, Merz said that Germany and the Netherlands had held talks with China on the issue.

"There are positive signals that the deliveries can start again," Merz said, adding that "This could happen in the coming hours."

"I am confident after speaking to the Dutch prime minister that this will work," he added.

While relatively simple technology, Nexperia's semiconductors are vital for the electronics in modern, technology-packed vehicles.

The chips are made in Europe but then sent to China for finishing, before being re-exported to clients in Europe and other markets.

Volkswagen, Europe's biggest carmaker, had warned of production stoppages if the crisis dragged on, while smaller firms were reported to be preparing to cut working hours.

The Netherlands cited national security concerns when it moved to take control of Nexperia and accused the firm's CEO of mismanagement.

China had also accused the United States of getting involved in the case -- Washington last year put Wingtech on a list of corporations viewed as acting contrary to US national security.

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Aumovio

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Volkswagen