Why Was There a Severe Shortage of Automotive Chips in 2021?

[LaLouis]

Because the current demand for chips in automobile manufacturing is significantly higher than before. In the past, automotive chips were mainly used to control electronic devices in the car and the engine. However, modern vehicles now include various assisted driving functions, which has considerably increased the demand for chips. More related information is as follows: Introduction to Automotive Chips: Automotive chips primarily refer to controller and processor chips. The normal operation of a vehicle relies on the processing of data and information. Note: Every function in a car involves chips. With the increasing production of automobiles, the shortage of chips has become frequent, as each controller requires chips.

[SanAlex]

I've been in the automotive industry for over a decade, and the 2021 chip shortage was a massive pitfall. The pandemic threw global supply chains into chaos, with chip factories shutting down or reducing production, and transport trucks unable to clear customs. Meanwhile, demand skyrocketed because modern cars are packed with dozens of chips controlling headlights, air conditioning, safety systems, and more—electric vehicles and autonomous driving assistance systems are particularly chip-hungry. The most frustrating part was natural disasters, like the Taiwan earthquake that paralyzed key factories for months, making recovery impossible. Automakers also miscalculated inventory management, underestimating the recovery pace, which led to broken production chains. Many customers had to wait until the next year to get their cars, and repair parts were also in short supply. Overly centralized supply chains are a major issue—having multiple backups might ease the pain. But honestly, that lesson was a tough one to learn.

[VonLillian]

I'm a car enthusiast and have been into car modifications for years. The 2021 chip shortage made it really hard to buy parts. The demand was insane - after the pandemic, everyone went crazy for smart cars, and EVs and advanced driving systems needed several times more chips than traditional vehicles. The supply chain couldn't keep up, factories were operating at half capacity, and logistics got stuck at ports. Chip manufacturers prioritized phones and computers over automotive. I remember my friend waiting over six months for a new car that year, with prices skyrocketing too. The impact was huge - even used car prices went haywire. Now automakers are pushing domestic chips to avoid this mess. But back then, regular car owners could only wait helplessly, which was really frustrating.

[VonSawyer]

I worked in electronics manufacturing for over a decade and know some inside stories. The 2021 automotive chip shortage was primarily a production issue. The chip manufacturing process is extremely complex, and expanding capacity requires building new factories over several years. Post-pandemic labor shortages further slowed progress. Demand surged too rapidly, with automakers fiercely competing for chips. For instance, a winter storm in Texas, USA, directly damaged a factory, causing months of production halt with incalculable losses. Automakers misjudged supply and demand, lacking sufficient inventory reserves. Production prioritized high-margin orders, leaving automotive chips with lower priority. The entire industry is reflecting on the need to invest in automation and localized production. That incident exposed the fragility of the supply chain, the effects of which still haven't fully subsided.