Posted on 07/23/2021 5:13:01 PM PDT by george76
Have you heard the one about the dead cars? No, not the ones we find in junkyards, but the ones that haven’t had life yet, thanks to the chip shortage.
These so-called “dead” cars are vehicles that have rolled off the assembly line, otherwise ready for sale, sitting in fields or on lots near the factories that produced them, just waiting for chips
The New York Times even recently recounted an anecdote from a dealer principal who took a pilgrimage to a Ford factory to see all the “dead” cars for himself.
We weren’t able to pin down a reliable estimate on how many dead cars there are sitting outside of factories, but we’re going to guess the number is a lot.
And that number is set to grow, as GM announced that plants in Indiana, Michigan, and Mexico that produce the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will halt next week, thanks to, you guessed it, the chip shortage.
GM had so far avoided chip-related shutdowns by skipping some features, and by … building some trucks and adding the chips in later. See how that “dead” car anecdote links to today’s news story?
Of course, halting production is a step beyond finishing vehicles and letting them sit until the chip cavalry arrives.
“The global semiconductor shortage remains complex and very fluid, but GM’s global purchasing and supply chain, engineering and manufacturing teams continue to find creative solutions and make strides working with the supply base to minimize the impact to our highest-demand and capacity-constrained vehicles, including full-size trucks and SUVs for our customers,” the company said in a statement.
Leaving vehicles partially finished and cutting out certain features are just two solutions for automakers struggling through an unusual time.
Our Cherokee is too cramped for extended camping so we are building this full length 4X4 van. Just found a bubble top for it so it should make a good camper van once we get the top cut out and the inside laid out. :)
We also have a 94 Dodge dually with the Cummins... :)
With the CAFE standards, you must computerize.
No other way to get the efficiency.
Also, PLC’s make for simpler designs. Less mechanical linkage and timing.
Between the span the inside lanes are iron grating with a view straight down.
The grating makes the tread grab and the car shimmy. Unnerving.
In high winds the car would get buffeted. When your 18 it is a right of passage.
Those railings seem a bit short don’t they.?
After the bridge its only 5 more hours to Houghton.
Builds character.
I the tub off the Willys to see what patching the powder coating people can do while I tackle other problems.
K5 needs various things, it’s been a long time sitting. I guess get the seats redone next.
CJ7 not where to go next.
I wished I could be a true work from home type but I have to deal with the physical problems. I despise tickets, voice mail, phone calls, messaging, or being contacted in any way. The job has made me somewhat anti social but I keep a pleasant face and demeanor. I keep things running and the idiots more or less pacified.
Loved Nash and Rambler cars . My uncle was a dealer back in the 50’s and 60’s in CT . My Grandparents owned the exact same car your Dad had .
The super high pressure injection systems are a mechatronic marvel.
But God help you if the fuel filters aren’t working properly.
After this? I
“A state-backed Communist Chinese firm has conducted a hostile takeover of the UK’s largest microchip factory, raising concerns about Beijing’s growing control of the market during a global chip shortage.
On Monday, Dutch semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia, which is controlled by the China-owned electronics firm Wingtech, took 100 per cent control of the Newport Wafer Fab’s factory in South Wales after using a contractural clause to seize the company.”
I’d almost think there’s evil afoot.
If you have a late model car/truck that has a part with one of those chips go bad, how long do you have to park your car/truck while waiting on that chip?
I guess Cuba has one up on us when it comes to cars/trucks.
The same is true of our local Toyota and Honda dealerships. Lots are pretty much empty. Sales staff have got to be hurting.
All these fancy-schmancy, newfangled doodads they put in new cars, and they won’t even crank. You can thank the EPA for this crap. A new set of plug wires and a set of distributor points, and that ‘70 Chevelle grocery-getter is good for another 50,000 miles.
Or if your cam phaser has an error.
Yeah. I miss my Dad’s 1983 Olds. All power, smooth ride, and the technology of a lawn mower.
There's a market for swapping out the push-button start for keys. It would likely have to be done after the car was paid for since the financing companies are the ones who got the remote entry and start implemented.
Remote entry and start are marketed as a convenience and a needed gadget but they're main purpose is to make it easier to repo the car if the owner doesn't make the payments. The finance company doesn't need to snail mail copies of the key to one repo company.
They can disable the car remotely after it's parked, send the location to the repo company through a phone app. The repo guy then opens the door, starts the car, and drives away.
Haven’t had the chance to check out that K5 issue yet? I am curious what you find with that.
I got lucky with this van, got it all running and ready for paint and the interior build. But took it out and put it through the 4X4 test and found it has a Detroit locker in the rear and a limited slip diff in the front. It is a beast that wants to climb poles... :)
As I recall she was also driving 70 mph in a 40.
That had nothing to do with the car or the bridge.
Love my 2003 Buick Century with 73,000 miles..I’m a little old lady. But I wish I still had my Monte. I will never forgive myself for giving it up.
There is a Chevy dealer in the town near me. It’s Bama so tons of trucks usually. Normal lot is 100-200 trucks. Now there 20. Most of those are used. Crazy world.
Get your vax, get your free $, get your unemployment that was more than you made, get your 20% over asking price house, get your new computer. Get your used car that costs more than it was new, ... The world is crazy. I don’t know why other than government incompetence. The people wanted pain and now they will get it. JOE AND THE HO!
K5 has a long list of problems, mostly from sitting up in a barn before I got it and it not being touched a lot after I got into another building.
It sort of runs. When it does, the blazer does really well at driving pests away. Severe lack of oil control. Probably rings and or valve seals and guides.
The plan was always get a replacement 350.
The bridge opened in 1959. Two cars have gone over. One was doubling the speed limit and the other was clearly a suicide.
A bridge painter also fell off. Guessing he wasn’t wearing his harness properly.
I’ve crossed it probably 100 times, many driving a full size bus in all sorts of weather.
BTW. they have a service where scared people can have a bridge employee drive them.
On occasion they even have to drive semi’s across.
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