Ford will ship and sell cars that are lacking chips
According to Automotive News, Ford will likely start manufacturing and shipping unfinished, but driveable vehicles that lack the chips that enable some non-safety features. Instead, within a year, the automaker will ship the semiconductors to dealers, who would then install them in customers’ vehicles after purchase.
The affected vehicle models and attributes are currently unknown. Last year, Ford planned to ship dealers partially-built, undrivable automobiles, but the unchipped vehicles will now be both driveable and available for purchase.
Ford’s decision, as Automotive News points out, is an attempt to transfer the partially-built automobiles that are clogging up its factory lots. Hundreds of new Ford Broncos were observed idling on snow-covered lots near Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant last month, all awaiting chip installations.
Ford, like many other businesses, has been dealing with the effects of the chip shortage. Last year, a scarcity of semiconductors led Ford to reduce the manufacturing of its famous F-150 pickup truck, and in November, Ford and GM announced a partnership with chipmaker GlobalFoundries to help alleviate the bottleneck.
Due to the chip shortage, other automakers have had to make concessions, such as GM removing wireless charging, HD radios, and a fuel…
