Shortage sees Ford, others deliver vehicles without chips to dealers | Rare Techy

Content of the article

With parking spaces at manufacturers’ factories almost full of built vehicles, Ford has decided to start shipping its backlog of new Explorers to dealers soon.

Content of the article

Sorry, but this video failed to load.

The flaw sees Ford sending vehicles to dealers without the chips Back to video

The catch is that the vehicles were sitting on the lot because, although roadworthy, they were not fully assembled.

Content of the article

The company announced in mid-March that due to a global chip shortage, new Explorers will be shipped to dealers and eventually customers without rear climate control and heating controls. On the plus side, Ford says an Automotive industry news report that missing semiconductors will also be delivered to dealers and installed to customers within one year.

With the warmer weather coming, it’s easier and more convenient to cool the car through the open windows or sunroof, or to crank the air conditioning in the front seats, than to warm up a cold car in the Canadian winter. The thing is, it’s obviously not the ideal solution for selling incomplete Explorers, but Ford seems to have little choice otherwise.

Content of the article

Ford is not alone. Driving.ca contributors Jil McIntosh and Renita Naraine recently tested two General Motors vehicles (Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse) that lacked heated seats and steering wheels due to the lack of chips; The Blazer also had no rear parking assist.

GM has also dropped some offerings from wireless charging, HD radio and a fuel management module to keep inventory moving, not stagnant. Each vehicle was discounted by $50 on the build sheet, noting that they would be installed later.

While the timing is terrible for the auto industry, Ford’s situation is a little more unfortunate, as production of its wildly popular moneymaker, the F-150, has been cut, as has its long-awaited Bronco, which finally outsold them. on factory lots, waiting for chips.

Luxury vehicles are also not exempt, article from The Verge indicating that BMW has delivered some vehicles sans touchscreens and that Cadillac provided vehicles without hands-free driving.