Automakers are cautiously optimistic about the end of the scarcity of high-tech parts, especially chips. Since last year, almost all major car companies have had to shut down production lines on a regular basis due to scarcity of these components, but now manufacturers are seeing that the range is becoming somewhat wider.
Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Truck Holding and BMW, among others, say they have received enough electronic components to produce at full capacity. That tipping point comes earlier than the companies themselves predicted. At the same time, they warn that there is still a chance that shortages will disrupt production again.
“We are still monitoring it on a weekly basis, but we really don’t have any problems keeping production going globally now,” says Jörg Burzer, responsible for production and supply chains at Mercedes-Benz. Occasionally there are still disruptions, “but that is nothing compared to last year”.
BMW is also more positive and says all factories are running. “At the moment the situation is slightly more stable,” said a spokesperson. The German concern cannot rule out the possibility that there will still be disruptions in the coming weeks due to shortages. Karin Rådström, head of the Mercedes brand at Daimler Truck, says things are better than last year “but not yet perfect”.
Truck manufacturer DAF has announced that the supply of parts is better than expected five weeks ago. “In the US and Europe we are able to build faster,” said Paccar President Harry Wolters.
The increased availability of chips is partly due to a weaker economic outlook due to high inflation, war and interest rate hikes. This is depressing the demand for consumer electronics such as smartphones and laptops, for which many semiconductors are also used. However, not every car manufacturer notices this immediately. For example, Volvo Trucks says it has only limited availability of chips. This will have an impact on the results for the second quarter.
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