How Does A Semiconductor Affects Your Car Buying?

The news is all over that due to the ‘chip’ shortage the carmakers not just in India but across the globe are facing difficulties in meeting the demands. Chip shortage essentially means that there is a scarcity of a component called ‘Semiconductor’. But what essentially is a semiconductor? Nowadays with cars becoming forever smarter with time, semiconductors are a crucial part of the modern vehicle.

From a component as small as an instrument cluster to the sensors that optimizes your drive, semiconductors are key. So, in this current scenario of chip shortage, what are semiconductors and do these semiconductors really affect your car buying experience? Let’s answer all these fascinating questions.

What are semiconductors?

In the world, there are materials that conduct electricity and there exist insulators that do not let the current pass through them. Then comes the substances the sit somewhere in between them both and are called semiconductors. Their paramount function is to control the flow of current within a closed circuit.

• These semiconductors comprise pure elements like silicone or compounds like silicon carbide or gallium arsenide.
• Now in order to manufacture a semiconductor, they are doped to meet a specific requirement.
• Doping means other elements are mixed to alter their properties according to the needs.
• And in order to do that crystalline solids along with amorphous semiconductors are used for this purpose.

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What is the use of semiconductors in cars?

Almost all modern cars come with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos. More so, the cars are more like an advanced data processing unit on wheels (advanced computer). All these are possible because of the presence of semiconductors.

Semiconductors are not just used in cars but other industries as we. But the automobile industry doesn’t have a large part in their demand. Still, the places where they are used are essential, more so you’ll not be able to drive without them.

• Vehicle Electrical Systems
  

  

  The technology has come a long way, now most of the components have been interchanges with electronics systems over the mechanical systems.

  • Now, semiconductors are the devices that enable and make it possible to design and manufacturer automotive electrical systems.
  • Diving a little into detail, some of the components that use semiconductors are, instrument cluster (speedometer), infotainment system, automatic climate control, and all the sensor used in the cars.
  • The electrical system enable the car to read precise information helps in increasing fuel efficiency.
  • With that, the sensors also track the precise variables that control the combustion inside the combustion changer in the engine.

Related: The Semiconductor Shortage And Its Impact On The Used Car Market

• Electronic Driver Aids
  

  

  The electrical systems are not just for entertainment purposes but also help in making the cars safe.

  • All the cars plying on the road now should have at least dual airbags, ABS and EBD, said the new norms by BNVSAP.
  • These features are possible as the semiconductors are readily used in them.
  • Apart from that, other driver aids like blind-spot detection, reversing camera, cruise control lane keep assisting electronic stability programme (ESP) all use this small device called a semiconductor.
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• Vehicle Connectivity
  

  

  Moving on, additional features that all the cars launching nowadays do come with dedicated connectivity features.

  • Talking about high-end cars, like Tesla, they are pampered with V2V tech (Vehicle to Vehicle communication). V2V communication enables the cars to drive on the highways on their own without any sort of driver input.
  • Yes! you guessed it right, semiconductors are essential components of vehicle connectivity.

Informative Read: What Is The Semiconductor Shortage That Is Impacting Car Manufacturers?

So, How Does A Semiconductor Affects Your Car Buying?

Well, cars in India or across the globe come with all these technologies. Some, do offer them in the base variant too. So, chip shortage or semiconductor shortage slows or at times halts the production of cars. Now, naturally, these cars will be sold if and when they are complete (exceptions are always there). This is one of the prime reasons why the waiting period for cars is taking forever.

Well, to take a little step, Mahinda and Mahindra were focused on delivering as many Thars as possible. To do the same, the carmaker delivered the off-roader without the infotainment system. Which was later installed on the dealership level.

Another example, one of our colleagues booked A Nissan Magnite in April 2021. The dealership promised to deliver the vehicle at the end of May 2021. Now with the semiconductor shortage, the waiting time slowly crept up. Now, the latest update was that they have to wait till March 2022 for their new Nissan Magnite.

Yes! the shortage of semiconductors is driving the automobile industry crazy. This has led to the halting of many production lines, costing the company millions.

Why the Semiconductor shortage?

The set-off point for the semiconductor crisis was the inception of the Covid-19 pandemic. Late this was the reason behind the subsequent lockdowns across the globe that resulted in the shutting down of major chip-making facilities in countries like Japan, South Korea, China and the US. So, this ultimately resulted in a chip shortage and the beginning of domino effects.

This was a comprehensive article on the chip shortage and how is it affecting the auto industry. Let us know in the comment section, what are your views on the chip shortage? Also, feel free to ask your queries.