Today’s update on the global semiconductor shortage involves Subaru, which recently announced that it would be suspending production at its plant in Indiana. Lafayette’s Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) will be idled through the end of April while the automaker waits for suppliers to catch up. It’s a situation we’ve seen numerous manufacturers forced into this year, with Ford arguably being the most relevant for the North American market.
Those wishing for relief are in for a disappointment, too. Despite earlier assurances that the semiconductor shortage would ease over the summer, the likelihood of the industry’s chip-related hardships now looms larger than ever. Numerous industry groups are speculating that chips will be difficult to come by (especially in Western countries) through the end of the year, with the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) recently predicted that the shortage would actually worsen through 2021 before gradually returning to normal. Obviously, nobody can predict the future, but the present supply chains are in such a sorry state that it would be irresponsible to think they were on the cusp of a much-needed rebound.
Subaru’s announcement came on Tuesday, with the automaker explaining its need to idle SIA for the rest of April. The company estimated the number of vehicles lost at roughly 15,000 units. Based on how things have played out for other manufacturers, Subaru could easily see the shutdown extend into May. Though it’s hoping that won’t be necessary, adding that the recent fire at Japan’s Renesas Electronics played no factor in the decision.
Semiconductor chips have seen a massive uptick in demand over the last few years as increasingly more products require them and often in greater numbers than before. Cars use more of them than ever before but so do a lot of other devices that we’ve decided need to be perpetually connected to the internet. Smart devices are becoming all the rage in people’s homes and the pandemic resulted in a huge buy-up of computers, tablets, and other forms of digital entertainment while everyone has been locked indoors during the pandemic. Meanwhile, lockdowns handicapped just about every supply chain on the planet and setback component manufacturers dramatically.
We can’t even begin to assume when things will return to normal. But we do know that other shortages are about to become a serious problem, with rubber waiting on deck to become the next issue.
[Image: Subaru]
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