The shortage of components made of silicon or gallium will continue to preoccupy automakers and other industries
The shortage of computer chips will continue to affect the automotive industry for some time, according to VW Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch. Effects would have to be expected until the first half of 2022, possibly even longer, Pötsch told Deutsche Presse Agentur. That the construction of new chip factories will compensate for the bottlenecks in a timely manner is unrealistic, he said. Digitalization will additionally increase demand for the indispensable components made of silicon or germanium, he added. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius does not even expect the situation to ease until 2023.
The extent to which the shortage of components is affecting the automotive industry is shown by figures from the consulting firm PwC. In the first half of the year, four million fewer cars were built than planned. VW and Ford were hit hardest. Since the carmakers make up only a small part of the chipmakers’ customer base, they are not in a good negotiating position. PwC consultant Marcus Gloger therefore advises a partnership between the industries to secure the supply of components in the future. Photovoltaic companies are now also reporting supply problems. Inverter manufacturer SMA Solar therefore adjusted its profit forecast on Monday, writes Handelsblatt.
Photo: iStock/Trifonov_Evgeniy
