Chip crisis hits German car manufacturers: short-time work at Bosch and VW!

Chip crisis hits German car manufacturers: short-time work at Bosch and VW!

The German auto industry is once again on the brink, and the reason for this is the ongoing chip shortage, which is caused by a variety of factors. Above all, the Chinese government has shut down the Dutch chip manufacturer Nexperia, which has serious consequences for companies like Bosch and Volkswagen. Loud Mercury Several companies, including Bosch, have already applied for short-time work because the necessary chip deliveries are not being made.

Concrete figures confirm the drama of the situation: Bosch has registered short-time work for more than 1,000 workers in Salzgitter. This decision was not made as a joke; IG Metall expects that the shortage of semiconductors, including diodes and transistors, will continue to be a major problem. N TV reports that companies have already registered short-time work in certain areas.

Impact on automobile production

Volkswagen is alarmed about the situation. The automotive giant has announced that the chip shortage could lead to production stops, particularly at its main factory in Wolfsburg. The production lines came to a standstill here on Friday – not because of a technical glitch, but because of inventory. However, production is expected to resume next week, provided the chip supply can be stabilized again ZDF reported. The industry is concerned because the chips in question, some referred to as “chicken feed,” are essential for key functions such as vehicle controls and airbags.

But the problem is more complex: the trade dispute between the USA and China is disrupting global supply chains. Nexperia, which belongs to China's Wingtech and is on the US sanctions list, processes crucial semiconductors for the automotive industry in China. The chips are produced in Europe, but the processing takes place in the Far East, which puts pressure on the entire industry. Loud ZDF This could lead to many production lines having to come to a standstill without Nexperia chips.

Reactions from politics

The federal government has recognized the situation and plans to reduce its dependence on foreign chip deliveries. A corresponding microelectronics strategy has already been adopted. But critical voices from the industry are calling for quick and effective measures. Mario Gutmann, board member of IG Metall, sounds the alarm and criticizes the reactions from politics and business as being too delayed.

Connecting authorities are now trying to mediate between the governments of China and the Netherlands and Nexperia. Hildegard Müller from the Association of the Automotive Industry calls for immediate solutions, while experts such as Stefan Bratzel emphasize the need to relocate parts of the value chain back to Europe. The current situation should be clarified in the short term, but everyone involved is waiting for news from the unions and works councils.

There remains great uncertainty as to whether there will be relief soon. A Nexperia factory in Hamburg is also at risk, and the impact of the chip shortage could have far-reaching consequences for the entire German automotive industry.