Chips in new cars increase by seven to eight percent a year. For example, in the Enyaq model, there are well over a thousand chips. According to Schäfer, many states now see this area as a strategic investment, but it is a long-term and costly affair. However, the carmaker does not plan to produce its own chips at the level of the Volkswagen Group.
Schäfer still sees the just-in-time principle as the right one for the automotive industry, despite the problems caused by the sudden outage. It is not possible to store a large number of components, as they will soon become obsolete. “The lesson we’ve learned is that we have a chip coordination team.” The key is to monitor developments to see if there could be a supply chain outage, and if alternatives are available.
First the lockdown, then the chips
With the first lockdown, he could not imagine that even more complex problems would come. “When I came to the Czech Republic last August, everything was good. Then we slid into one wave after another and I thought it was the worst thing that could happen. We managed the coronavirus quite well, the Czech government supported us by not closing us down, and when we put in place adequate measures, we were able to continue production. And then came the chips. “
But he is optimistic about the future. “It’s a crisis, but we can handle it very well. Yes, we have produced fewer cars, but we have saved money and we are ready for the future. Good strategy, new products, electric cars, that’s something we can look forward to. “
The most frustrating thing for him in the last year was that no big car shows took place. “Talking all day through the screens is tiring, you need to make contact with people and get them excited about the future.”
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