Daimler CEO Says Carmakers Could Face Chip Shortage Into 2023
MUNICH - Soaring demand for semiconductor chips means the
auto industry could struggle to source enough of them throughout next year and
into 2023, though the shortage should be less severe by then, Daimler AG's CEO
said on Sunday.
Carmakers, forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to shut down
plants last year, face stiff competition from the sprawling consumer
electronics industry for chip deliveries, hit by a series of supply chain
disruptions during the pandemic.
Cars have become increasingly dependent on chips - for
everything from computer management of engines for better fuel economy to
driver-assistance features such as emergency braking.
"Several chip suppliers have been referring to
structural problems with demand," Ola Källenius told reporters during a
roundtable event ahead of the Munich IAA car show. "This could influence
2022 and (the situation) may be more relaxed in 2023."
The IAA show is the first major motor industry event
worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daimler said last week it expected significantly lower
third-quarter sales at its Mercedes unit due to a global semiconductor
shortage, becoming the latest in a string of automakers to take a hit to
revenues. Automakers from U.S. group General Motors to India's Mahindra and
Japan's Toyota have slashed output and sales' forecasts due to scarce chip
supplies, made worse by a COVID-19 resurgence in key Asian semiconductor
production hubs.
Källenius said on Sunday that despite the ongoing chip
shortage, the German carmaker hopes its own supply of semiconductors will
improve in the fourth quarter.
As part of its plans to electrify its model range,
Mercedes-Benz will show off several fully electric vehicles at the show in
Munich. These will include global premiers for the EQE, the first fully
electric for the premium carmaker’s high-performance AMG brand and a concept
car for its luxury Maybach brand. The company will also introduce a fully
electric SUV, the EQB, to the European market.
In July Daimler said it will spend more than 40 billion
euros ($47.5 billion) by 2030 to take on Tesla Inc in an all-electric market,
but warned the shift in technology would lead to job cuts.
Outlining its strategy for an electric future, the German
carmaker said it will build eight battery plants as it ramps up electric
vehicle (EV) production and from 2025 all new vehicle platforms will only make
EVs.
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