Why a shortage?
You have undoubtedly heard about it in the general press. The automotive industry has been facing a global shortage of semiconductors for some time.
Now that modern cars are rapidly turning into quasi-autonomous computers, semiconductors (or microchips) are playing an increasingly important role in the correct assembly and operation of the vehicle. These semiconductors are widely used in critical parts of the vehicle (e.g. sensors for safety and assistance functions, engine management, power management etc.), and all on-board infotainment technology (e.g. displays, connectivity, infotainment system etc.) also depends on these microchips.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sharp decline in demand for cars and production was cut back. However, now that the demand for cars is back to pre-COVID levels, the production and supply of these microchips are unfortunately sputtering. The result is a global shortage of these essential parts with a direct impact on our automotive industry, your configuration options and current production capacities. In the best case, a shortage can lead to certain equipment levels or optional equipment being (temporarily) unavailable. In the worst case, it may even force carmakers to temporarily halt production of an entire model line, causing significant delays in delivery dates. Moreover, it is generally expected that this situation will continue for some time.
What are the consequences for you?
This global issue has an impact not only on our automotive industry but also on your fleet management and your current and future orders. Due to the general scarcity, we have also noticed that car manufacturers change their commercial conditions from time to time.
How can we support you?
You can count on us to give you lots of advice. We recommend that you proactively replace your expiring contracts earlier than usual. Based on the information we have at the time of ordering, we can direct your car and choice of options in such a way as to minimise delivery delays.
What additional tips can we give you?
If you have any further questions on this topic or need help with possible contract adjustments, please do not hesitate to contact your dedicated Athlon contact person.