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Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

reuters.com

21–30 of 495 posts

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#21
What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product:

A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for:

- Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions

There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give us a simple car with no GPS navigation, ass warmers, tire pressure sensors, telemetry, backup cameras, USB chargers, proximity detectors, traction control, keyless entry, remote climate control, etc.

But instead of addressing this market, these carmakers have decided to throw up their hands and shut down production or pile up unfinished inventory waiting on chips. It makes precisely zero sense.

I understand the re-engineering is a cost. But when you're simply removing existing features, this should be a fairly negligible one.

edit: I wasn't aware any of these luxury features were mandated by governments. Apologies, and disregard.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#23
"Some 1,300 workers employed at the plant will be temporarily laid off, Opel said, with a separate plant in France picking up some of the production."

Perhaps a very convenient chip shortage? Anyhow, why not build a car without electronics, gps, g4, microphones, voice control, tracking and screens. Because that is exactly what I want.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#24
I hope a lot of car industry supply chain managers are losing their jobs now. Worst people ever. Hurt their suppliers, hurt their own company, out of sheet arrogance and ignorance.

On the other hand, good for us, any ICE car or car in general that is not produced is good for the environment.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#25
post #21

What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product: A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for: - Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give…

tire pressure sensor, gps and e-call is needed by law.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#26
post #21

What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product: A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for: - Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give…

Is the _market_ begging, or a few folks on the internet? The only folks I know that complain about technology in cars are a couple posters on internet forums.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#27
post #21

What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product: A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for: - Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give…

most things you mention are mandated by the government, you can't sell a car in any western market without tire pressure monitoring, stability control, back up camera etc.

the manufacturers have no choice, it would be like suggesting they sell cars without seatbelts.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#28
post #21

What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product: A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for: - Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give…

[deleted]

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#29
post #21

What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product: A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for: - Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give…

I think Dacia addresses this market pretty well already. However many of the things you’ve listed (cameras, TPMS, telemetry) are mandated by law in most regions.

Re: Chip shortage leads carmaker Opel to shut German plant until 2022

#30
post #21

What I'll never understand is why carmakers don't take advantage of this situation and address a market that's been literally BEGGING for decades for a new product: A simple, basic car, with the ONLY electronic control being for: - Valve timing - Fuel injection - Oxygen and throttle - Emissions There's a market for budget and privacy oriented customers that all carmakers seem to have ignored for two decades now. Give…

Tire pressure sensors, ABS, ESP, airbags, etc. are compulsory in new cars in most countries.
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