Could Your New Car Be Missing Some Key Features?
The worldwide chip shortage is causing quite the stir in the automotive market. Due to the semiconductor chip shortage, automotive brands face delays and have to make difficult manufacturing decisions. The computer chip shortage is the direct result of COVID-19. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, automotive manufacturing halted and with more people working from home, computers and other electronic purchases soared, thus leading to semiconductor chips being used elsewhere. Today, new cars are now in short supply due to the lack of semiconductor chips.
The shortage is causing automotive manufacturers to forgo certain features in new models. Car and Driver have reported what car brands will be missing features due to the computer chip shortage. This article breaks down how you can add the missing features to your vehicle.
Satellite Navigation
Some new Ford and Nissan vehicles will be manufactured without satellite navigation. Even though most people use their phones for navigation, this is still a handy feature that your new car could be missing. The good news is that satellite navigation is an easy feature to add. On Amazon, there are lots of choices for portable and connectable satellite GPS systems. GPS products can range from $150 to $500, but most come in at around $150-$200.
Heated Seats and Heated Steering Wheels
Heated seats and heated steering wheels are a must-have for colder climates. If your winters are brutally cold, then heated seats might be something that you can’t live without. General Motors (GM) recently announced that no 2022 models would have heated seats or steering wheels.
However, GM is now saying that heated seats will be available for 2022 models, but you will have to wait. GM will be releasing new vehicles without heated seats, and dealers will add this feature later once the chips are available. Unfortunately, heated steering wheels are still out of the question for 2022 GM models.
Since there is no timeline on when you can have heated seats added to your vehicle, there are a few temporary options that can keep you warm this winter. Amazon has a few options for heated seat covers. These heated covers range from $50 to $100, have adjustable heat settings, and plug right into your car.
Driving without heated seats will only be temporary. However, driving with cold hands won’t be. Since heated steering wheels will not be a feature in new GM models, you will have to purchase a heated steering wheel cover.
Wireless Charging
Wireless charging has become a popular feature in new cars. Even though wireless charging is not a necessity, it is still a handy feature to have and helps keep your vehicle decluttered from unnecessary cords. GM and Mercedez-Benz have announced that wireless charging will be one of the features missing from new models due to the chip shortage. For wireless charging, you have two options: wireless mounted chargers or wireless pad chargers. The are probably the best choice to limit clutter in your car.
USB Ports
It has been reported that Tesla has removed USB ports from the rear centre consoles of the Model 3 and Model Y. If you have children, rear console USB ports are most likely an essential feature for you. You can add extra USB ports to your car through USB adapters. Amazon even has adapters that can charge up to five devices and have long cable cords to accommodate back seat use. Now you can rest assured that your whole family can charge their devices in your new Tesla.
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