Because this problem is likely to persist, CR recommends making a list of the features you’re looking for and the ones that are must-haves. Don’t rely on a salesperson to tell you which ones are included-check for yourself. “The Escalade will still be sold with proven safety features, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.”Ĭonsumers should be aware when shopping that some new cars might not have the features they’re looking for right now. “In our tests, Super Cruise is a welcome feature that can make driving on the highway less stressful,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. Cadillac is no exception, and it’s important to note that Super Cruise, although innovative and effective, is a convenience feature and not safety equipment. Other manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota, said that although the chip shortage is having an impact on overall vehicle production, they’re not limiting features as a way to deal with the problem.Īlmost all of the manufacturers that responded to CR were clear that the chip shortage will not affect the availability of safety equipment. BMW, for example, told CR that there will be “some limitations on the availability of certain optional equipment.” Stellantis, the multinational corporation that owns popular brands including Jeep and Dodge, said, “There might be adjustments in the specification of vehicles.” Mercedes-Benz said buyers may be able to purchase cars without certain features now and have them retrofitted later. Other automakers gave more general descriptions of the impact the chip shortage has had on options availability. Mitsubishi says it had to change options packages to address its limited ability to include blind spot monitoring and some in-dash screens. But the manufacturer says that hiatus is related to an EV battery recall and not the semiconductor shortage.Ĭonsumer Reports contacted other manufacturers, some of which said they would dial back optional features on certain models while the semiconductor supply problem persists. General Motors, which also builds Chevrolet vehicles, says it’s pausing production of the Bolt EUV, an electric hatchback that’s supposed to include Super Cruise. It also includes an array of other outward-facing sensors that are controlled by microchip processors. Super Cruise, which allows a driver to remove hands from the steering wheel on certain well-marked highways, has a sensor mounted on the steering column that ensures that the driver always has eyes on the road. Cadillac, GM’s luxury brand, said earlier this fall that it would pause its Super Cruise driver assistance system in new Escalade SUVs, but that feature has returned to production. That, in turn, has put pressure on the used-car market, inflating those prices to all-time highs.īecause of the chip shortage, General Motors said recently that it would temporarily suspend including heated and ventilated seats in a number of models, including many popular pickup trucks and SUVs, although it’s working on a plan to retrofit those vehicles when parts become available. The global chip shortage-which continues to squeeze most industries that manufacture electronics or products with electronics in them-is now affecting popular high-tech features as some automakers opt to withhold them or pause production altogether.Ĭonsumers have already felt the shock of limited availability of new cars, which has pushed up prices and made it difficult to get sought-after models.
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