The executive said that even though it was still unclear what exactly caused the bottleneck, it was crucial not to rely on just one supply path, potentially breaking with a tradition to source chips only via top automotive suppliers.
Solutions could include increasing stocks, as chips don’t take up as much storage space as other automotive components, the executive said.
Robert Bosch and Continental, the world’s two largest automotive suppliers, declined to comment.
Volkswagen expects chip supplies will remain tight during the first quarter, but recover in April-June. It aims to make up for delayed production in the second half of the year.
“To defuse the problem, a transparent cooperation with semiconductor players is needed as well as clear commitments to secure production volumes vis-à-vis other client groups,” McKinsey partner Ondrej Burkacky said.
