The world’s largest car manufacturers have officially announced that the shortage of microchips has reached them. For example, the world’s largest Volkswagen plant, located in Wolfsburg, is forced to switch to a shorter working day – instead of three shifts, it will now work in just one. So far, company representatives said that this decision applies only for one week (from 23 to 27 August), but they added that the situation with the supply of chips will affect the further development of the car market. It is worth noting that this plant employs 60 thousand people, a certain part of whom, apparently, will be sent on vacation.
Moreover, some time ago, Audi, which is also part of the Volkswagen concern, announced that it was suspending three production lines at its main plant at once. One is closed for re-equipment for the assembly of electric cars, the other two are closed due to the absence of those very microcircuits. A similar situation has now overtaken Volvo Cars – if Volkswagen reduced production to one third, then Volvo will completely suspend assembly at the Swedish plant in Torslanda.
“Due to the current material shortage situation caused by global shortages and new outbreaks of the coronavirus, Volvo Cars has decided to suspend production in Torslanda for a week from 30 August to 3 September,” Volvo said in a statement.
And although last year both manufacturers showed a noticeable increase in sales, and Volvo showed one of the best reporting periods, now analysts’ forecasts are less positive. According to experts, due to a shortage of microchips, the production cycle of a car has increased to 20 days, and this is likely to lead to an increase in the cost of cars.
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