Computer chips are in short supply: the auto industry is struggling with delivery bottlenecks

Computer chips are in short supply
The auto industry is struggling with delivery bottlenecks

German carmakers and suppliers are preparing for production interruptions in the second wave of corona, which could continue into the coming year. This time it gets stuck with electronic components in particular. This is due to the rapid economic recovery in China.

The automotive industry is struggling with global bottlenecks in the supply of electronic components due to the aftermath of the Corona lockdown in spring. Since the auto industry, especially in China, is recovering faster than expected after the pandemic has subsided, semiconductors in particular are becoming scarce, supplier Continental said.

Volkswagen fears production stoppages in the Chinese automotive industry due to the bottlenecks. Because of the corona pandemic, the delivery of computer chips for certain electronic components has become unsafe, Volkswagen announced in China. The problem is exacerbated by the rapidly increasing demand for vehicles in the People's Republic.

Conti explained that although the semiconductor manufacturers had already expanded their capacities due to the unexpected demand, the additional volumes would only be available in six to nine months due to the lead times in the industry. Therefore, delivery bottlenecks can also be expected in the coming year. The Dax group from Hanover is in close contact with its customers in order to find solutions. The VW subsidiary in China is also currently looking for ways out, together with the corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg and suppliers.

Setback in the middle of recovery

The world's largest auto supplier Bosch said on request that not only the auto industry was affected. There is currently a shortage of certain semiconductor components worldwide. "No provider can escape this market development." Bosch is also looking for ways to maintain the supply chains as much as possible.

The bottlenecks are extremely inconvenient for the entire industry as demand for cars is just picking up speed again. China is the largest market for Volkswagen. This is where the world's leading auto company in terms of sales sells 40 percent of its vehicles. The Wolfsburg-based company produces cars for the Chinese market in joint ventures with partners SAIC, FAW and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC).

. (tagsToTranslate) economy (t) China (t) car industry (t) car manufacturer (t) Germany (t) car