Do All Cars Need Chips?
2 Answers
Only purely mechanical vehicles produced in the early stages do not require chips, while modern cars do need them. Extended information: The automotive chip shortage is primarily caused by multiple factors including pandemic-related shutdowns of upstream chip manufacturers, strikes at STMicroelectronics, and halted production at Southeast Asian chip assembly plants, leading to severe semiconductor shortages in the global market. Among these, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the intelligent Engine Control Unit (ECO) are the two modules most affected by the automotive chip shortage. Suppliers: Currently, the main suppliers for domestic automakers are Continental AG and Bosch. Both ESP and ECO are considered 'standard equipment' in many high-end vehicle models, and numerous automakers have been impacted by the chip supply disruption.
Driving nowadays is nothing like the old days. Almost every corner of my Hyundai is packed with chips. The engine control module, that little box, houses several chips that manage fuel injection and ignition timing, making the car run both fuel-efficiently and smoothly. The ABS anti-lock braking system also relies on chips to quickly process data from wheel speed sensors, helping me avoid skidding on rainy or snowy days. The infotainment system goes without saying—the central display alone uses three or four chips to handle graphics and touch controls. Even the seat adjustments in newer models are controlled by chips to memorize positions. Without chips, it would be nearly impossible to get anywhere.
