The auto industry is fighting the semiconductor shortage and will continue to send employees on short-time work for several months.
Regardless, the business remains lucrative.
Munich - The semiconductor crisis is likely to keep German carmakers - and thus taxpayers - under control longer than previously thought. "I think that the fundamental tension in the supply chains will continue for the next six to twelve months," said BMW boss Oliver Zipse on Monday at the IAA in Munich. Volkswagen was also more cautious than before at the mobility fair in Munich. It could take "until the end of 2022" until the situation eases up again, warned Purchasing Director Murat Aksel.
Daimler boss Ola Källenius had previously made a similar statement.
He hopes the situation will improve in the fourth quarter, Källenius said on Sunday evening.
However, the demand for semiconductors will be higher than the global production capacity.
This is "a structural problem" and has nothing to do with the pandemic.
A significant relaxation is not expected until 2023.
A few weeks ago, the group had already lowered its sales forecast.
The lack of semiconductors has the automotive industry under control - BMW, VW and Daimler with short-time work
The car manufacturers have been suffering from growing supply bottlenecks for a good year.
Due to the lack of chip replenishment, the large manufacturers recently throttled production in their plants several times or even stopped them completely and sent thousands of employees on short-time work *.
The trigger for the semiconductor shortage was Corona.
Because the industry initially reduced its orders during the pandemic and then increased them again, there were bottlenecks worldwide *.
In addition, an important chip factory in Japan burned down in March.
Finally, several chip factories in Malaysia and Taiwan also had to close due to corona outbreaks.
The development hits the industry at the worst possible time.
After the Corona slump last year, global demand recovered surprisingly quickly.
From January to June 2021 alone, the 16 largest car manufacturers earned a total of 71.5 billion euros in operational terms, according to calculations by the consulting firm EY, more than ever before.
Semiconductor shortage: car manufacturers rely on high-margin models
In order to defend their profits despite the ongoing semiconductor shortage, many manufacturers are currently installing the coveted components, especially in the high-margin series - with far-reaching consequences. For example, buyers of the Tesla Model S currently have to wait eight months. The delivery time for the Mercedes A 250 e is currently twelve months. The situation is particularly bad with the new e-tron GT from Audi. Fans of the brand have to wait 14 months before the first round in the new speedster.
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