EL SEGUNDO, CA -- OEM semiconductor spending is expected to grow 8.6% in 2007, driven by consumer electronics, iSuppli said.

Citing spending habits of 181 OEMs, the research firm projected the U.S. would design products worth an estimated $68.7 billion of ICs in 2007, up 9% from $63.1 billion in 2006.

Second place Japan will design in ICs worth a total of $44.1 billion in 2007, up 4.7%, iSuppli said.