A shortage of semiconductors from Nexperia could soon lead
to "significant" restrictions, warns the VDA. Meanwhile, VW denied
that it would be scaling back production as a result.
Düsseldorf. The tense situation in the automotive industry is worsening due to
the disruption of chip deliveries from the supplier Nexperia . Hildegard
Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA),
stated on Tuesday that the situation could lead to "significant production
restrictions, possibly even production stoppages, in the near future."
The VDA is striving to find "quick and pragmatic solutions" with
companies, the federal government, and the EU Commission. According to experts,
Nexperia supplies 63 billion components annually to the automotive industry
alone.
The Dutch government had taken control of Nexperia a few days ago to prevent
the transfer of important technologies to its Chinese parent company, Wingtech.
The government in Beijing subsequently banned the export of certain parts of
Nexperia chips.
Mercedes-Benz observes development at Nexperia
The Stuttgart-based car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz concerned about a potential
shortage of computer chips from the supplier Nexperia. "The entire
industry is affected," a spokesperson for the DAX-listed company said on
Tuesday. The development is currently being closely monitored. "However,
due to the great complexity and volatility, it is difficult to make reliable
forecasts at this time."
However, Mercedes-Benz is secure in the short term thanks to "good,
collaborative relationships with our suppliers." The automaker is working
intensively with its partners to close any gaps that may arise.
VW production stop not due to chip shortage
Although the semiconductors are mostly produced in Europe, they are shipped to
the People's Republic of China for packaging and further processing. The
European industry association ACEA subsequently raised the alarm. Domestic
vehicle manufacturers' inventory levels were only sufficient for a few weeks.
The “Bild” newspaper, citing industry insiders, reported on Tuesday already
reported, Volkswagen plans to shut down production at its main plant in
Wolfsburg due to the chip shortage. This affects, among other models, the Golf
model. However, the automaker contradicts this statement.
"As part of a planned inventory measure on the Golf and Tiguan production
lines at the Wolfsburg plant, production will be temporarily halted next
Friday, October 24. Production is scheduled to resume in regular operation at
the beginning of calendar week 44," VW said in response to a query from
Handelsblatt. "Any impacts due to a potential shortage in component
availability are unrelated to this."
