Will auto manufacturers re-engineer vehicles to be more basic? (Page 1/2)
Hank is Here JUL 07, 11:55 AM
As I am hearing in the media, and also see as I drive by dealers, there is a shortage of new cars apparently due to a semiconductor shortage. apparently this shortage will bleed into 2022.

Any guesses how long it will take auto manufactures to de-content electronics from vehicles to use less chips so they can product more vehicles with the limited supply of chips they do have?

Apparently GM has removed the active fuel management from some pickups. I have also heard that some vehicles are only being being delivered with one key to save on the conductors.

Will this shortage change how cars are designed in the future? Thoughts?
Jake_Dragon JUL 07, 12:37 PM
I have no plan on buying a new car, but I wonder if this will also cause issues with cheep parts
See a lot of recalls and warrantee issues in the future.
RWDPLZ JUL 07, 02:18 PM
Redesigning the boards and manufacturing the new designs will take longer than the shortage will last. They can in some cases remove options not necessary for the vehicle to function )or any of several infotainment options). Going forward though, I think you will see fewer computers, AND the suppliers that screwed the auto manufacturers over won't be suppliers any longer by the next design cycle.
2.5 JUL 07, 02:20 PM
Whats the full accurate story on the shortage? Covid stopping the mining / processing / shipping? If so it would all depend on how that or possible future outbreaks are handled.
We really need to stop importing so much and create more things here so we can sustain our own country's independence.
Jake_Dragon JUL 07, 04:27 PM

quote
Originally posted by 2.5:

We really need to stop importing so much and create more things here so we can sustain our own country's independence.



This ^^^^^^^
steve308 JUL 07, 08:10 PM
If the automakers can give us less and charge us more... then yes.
Raydar JUL 08, 07:09 AM

quote
Originally posted by 2.5:

Whats the full accurate story on the shortage? Covid stopping the mining / processing / shipping? If so it would all depend on how that or possible future outbreaks are handled.
We really need to stop importing so much and create more things here so we can sustain our own country's independence.



I have heard a couple of different stories. Any or all of them are up for speculation.

The automakers reduced their orders in anticipation of decreased demand. In conjunction with that, the demand for "home electronics" - gaming consoles, phones, and other "quarantine activity" devices - jumped greatly. That being the case, the chip manufacturers shifted their production to accommodate.

I have also heard that there is a drought in Taiwan, where many of these chips are produced. Water is apparently required for the production process. Apparently that water is more urgently needed elsewhere.

But this doesn't just affect the auto industry. It also affects the computer industry. We're having some difficulty acquiring computers for a leased machine life-cycle replacements. I've also heard comments about video cards being made of unobtainium, these days.

With all of that said, there are so many emission devices, safety devices and other government-mandated "nannyware" installed in cars, that I don't see a huge reduction being possible. A BCM is still a BCM, whether it just runs the instruments, or runs the power windows, cruise control, headlights, and other stuff.
A "smaller" one may be able to be designed, but I suspect that the lead time would be longer than the resumption of production.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 07-08-2021).]

Jake_Dragon JUL 08, 10:15 AM

quote
Originally posted by Raydar:
I've also heard comments about video cards being made of unobtainium, these days.




Look up "gpu mine cryptocurrencies"
maryjane JUL 09, 02:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by Jake_Dragon:


Look up "gpu mine cryptocurrencies"


mining
Jonesy JUL 09, 06:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Jake_Dragon:


Look up "gpu mine cryptocurrencies"



Yeah thanks to the shortages, and the mass effort into crypto mining, video cards, especially high powered gaming ones, are hard to get, or if you do find them, they are priced ridiculously high.. Even gaming cards that are 5 years old are still going for $700 - $800 price range.

Apparently Nvidia is working on a new line of crypto mining cards built for that purpose, so hopefully before too long the prices will start to drop on the gaming cards.

I'v been rocking a 1080 for a while now, wanted to upgrade to one of those newer 2080's, but those are still going for like $1200.. Heck even an old 980 is selling for around $500..

I know people who buy a "prebuilt" PC from like Dell/Alienware, or other companies just so they can get the video cards out of them. Since the PC will cost around $1000 - $1500, may as well get a entire computer instead of paying $1200 just for the video card. lol.