White House ramps up effort to tackle automotive chip shortage

The White House has also tasked US embassies with identifying how foreign countries and companies that produce chips can help resolve the global short
...
File photo (Bloomberg)
File photo

Top economic and national security officials in the White House have ramped up efforts to help the US auto industry fight a growing shortage of semiconductor chips that has forced production cuts worldwide, a White House spokeswoman said.

The administration of President Joe Biden has held meetings with automotive companies and suppliers to identify chokepoints and urged companies to work cooperatively to tackle the shortage, the spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Mahindra Global Pik Up (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon2498 cc FuelType IconDiesel
₹ 25 Lakhs
View Details
White Carbon Motors O3 (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon60 km/charge
₹55,900
Compare
White Carbon Motors Gt5 (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon2.4 kWh Range Icon150 km/charge
₹ 1.15 Lakhs
Compare
Hyundai Creta (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1497 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 11 - 20.15 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Mahindra Thar (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2184 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 11.25 - 17.20 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Tata Punch (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1199.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 6 - 10.10 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers

The White House has also tasked US embassies with identifying how foreign countries and companies that produce chips can help resolve the global shortage and working with international partners and allies, urging them to deal with the current shortfall.

Also Read : Volkswagen points finger at suppliers over car chip shortage

The effort includes outreach to Taiwan, home of key chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) , to find ways to resolve the shortage.

In a Feb. 17 letter, Biden's top economic adviser, Brian Deese, thanked Taiwan's Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua for working to help to resolve the shortage in coordination with the island's manufacturers.

Along with Deese, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is involved in the effort, as are other senior aides.

FILE PHOTO: A researcher plants a semiconductor on an interface board during a research work (REUTERS)
FILE PHOTO: A researcher plants a semiconductor on an interface board during a research work (REUTERS)

This month, US officials held a meeting with Wang in which the United States thanked Taiwan for help on resolving the auto chip shortage, she said.

The White House spokeswoman said officials recognize steps must be taken to avoid future shortages, which is why the administration is launching a comprehensive review of critical supply chains to identify vulnerabilities and take steps like spurring increased US domestic production.

General Motors Co on Feb. 9 said the global chip shortage could shave up to $2 billion from 2021 profits and extended production cuts at three North American plants. It also said it would partially build and later finish assembling vehicles at two other factories because of the chip shortage.

Also Read : Toyota broke its just-in-time rule just in time for the chip shortage

No. 2 US automaker Ford Motor Co warned this month the chip shortage could lead to a 10% to 20% loss in first-quarter production, resulting in a potential hit to operating earnings of $1 billion to $2.5 billion. It had said it lost some production of its top-selling F-150 pickup truck.

A shortage of auto chips could affect nearly 1 million units of global light vehicle production in the first quarter, data firm IHS Markit said Tuesday, adding that it still expects most of the volume to be recovered in the remainder of 2021.

In a Jan. 19 letter to Deese first reported by Reuters, the United Auto Workers union and auto trade groups asked the Biden administration to consider "urging major silicon wafer foundries to ramp up production of automotive grade wafers."

The chip shortage has affected many other automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV, Renault, Subaru, Nissan Motor, Honda Motor and Mazda Motor Co .

First Published Date: 18 Feb 2021, 10:40 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.