"The rip-offs of common powertrain control module 4 units relate to the ongoing shortage of microchips" So how long does the microchip shortage continue?
> So how long does the microchip shortage continue? Warning: Paid Pessimist point of view (I've done computer security for far, far too long). Indefinitely. It doesn't recover. Because (modern, leading process) microchips are the sort of globe spanning supply chain problem that works great, right up until it doesn't. Coolant for some laser is made in this country that's at war. Some critical surface processing chemic…
Most of our current supply chain problem is on trailing nodes.
Sure, there's not quite enough capacity on the leading nodes: there never is. It's a bit worse now than usual, but...
The big thing that's new here is increased demand plus some disruption on production has shown how little excess production exists for microcontrollers and various low-end ICs in consumer and industrial goods. It's difficult to justify building additional production on mid-end nodes, as margins are likely to fall back down in the future... but one can imagine various ways this nets out OK (e.g. countries deciding domestic production of these items is critical for national security reasons and supplying subsidy).