BMW sacrifices Android Auto and CarPlay over semiconductor shortages


BMW has to deal with the shortage of semiconductors. In order not to delay the delivery of new vehicle models too much, the German manufacturer has delivered models without CarPlay and Android Auto, due to a lack of compatible chips.

The shortage of semiconductors does not just bother Apple and its iPhone. Car manufacturers are also trying to navigate the logistical and technical constraints created by this unprecedented situation. After Tesla, it’s BMW’s turn to have to make sacrifices in order to put new vehicles on the market despite everything.

CarPlay and Android Auto, the two navigation aid systems from Apple and Google, are indeed absent subscribers on certain models delivered by BMW. “The chips embedded in these cars in the first four months of this year need to be updated to be fully functional and offer Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wifi function“, said BMW in a letter sent to the Automotive News Europe site. As a result, the new models usually equipped with these tools are a little dumber than their predecessor.

A late update

On the French forum ma-bmw.com, a buyer explains that she received a BMW 1 Series (118i) on which it was not possible to install Apple CarPlay. Contacted, the manufacturer explains that “the software of the new chip will allow to realize only a certain number of functions. Full activation will be done by an update which will take place in May 2022“. Other testimonials concerning very different models all report the same observation: you will have to wait for an update to be able to install CarPlay and take advantage of the wifi.

Supposed to arrive in early May, this update is dragging its feet a little since some Internet users explain that BMW has still not received the long-awaited software. The German brand did not say exactly which car models were affected. Several models of Mini (company owned by BMW) are also devoid of features.

BMW is far from the first to be hit by the shortage. At the end of 2021, it was estimated that the automotive sector could lose up to $210 billion due to these logistical problems. These supply difficulties are now directly affecting customers and this is not likely to stop immediately since the return to normal should not happen before 2024.

Advertising, your content continues below

Advertising, your content continues below



Source link -98