[supafamous]

Originally Posted by Traum

Honda has indicated that foresee the semiconductor issue easing (for them) in the 2nd half of 2023. I think they are either too optimistic, or have signed some sort of semiconductor supply contract to ensure a smoother operation. But overall, I don't really see the semiconductor situation easing until more of the new US semiconductor plans come online, and that is still a good 2 - 3 years away. And even then, the problem may not get resolved because I think China is involved in the early steps in the raw material to silicon wafer production, and the Western World isn't exactly on friendly terms with China right now.

IMO, for things to get back to normal, the World needs to get itself into a state where manufacturing wouldn't be so dependent on China. Things are moving in that direction, but we are far from being there.

Honda seems to have caved a bit in that they are now selling trims without features where they lack chips - like they have the new CR-V without blind spot monitoring available next to versions that do have it (CR-V LX-B vs LX).

If I remember correctly the European makers are hamstrung by the war in Ukraine as they get a lot of chips from that region - a number of Porsches were shipping without certain headlights and power steering wheel adjustments etc due to a lack of supply. As long as Putin is a warlord things on that front won't get better.