What Is The Chip Shortage?

In recent news, there has been one huge issue that is capturing the attention of millions: the worldwide chip shortage. The lack of chips, otherwise known as semiconductors, is a huge issue for the automotive industry as many modern cars rely on this piece of technology.

Semiconductors are very important to produce a chip. In just one chip, you can find thousands of semiconductors. These semiconductors are used, in cars, to send information throughout the vehicle. Without these semiconductors, your vehicle would likely not function very well!

You might be wondering, "Why are chips so hard to find?" The reason there aren't enough chips being produce is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Over the past decade, the demand for semiconductors has increased dramatically. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shook things up and the world is still trying to recover financially.

At the start of the pandemic, the demand to buy a new car decreased significantly and as a result, the demand for semiconductors also decreased. During the same time, the demand for semiconductors in consumer electronics was increasing. Therefore more semiconductors were being produced for electronics than cars.

Now the demand for cars has gone back up and there aren't enough chips to keep up with the sales. This has caused various automotive production companies, such as Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, to slow down on the production of new vehicles. This has also caused Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to shut down which affects all the part suppliers that rely on them for business.

What Is The Solution?

You might think that we could just find alternative chip suppliers to solve the chip shortage problem, but it is very difficult and expensive to build these semiconductors. While this could happen over time, it is not a quick and easy solution, which could leave the world struggling to cope with these issues for many years.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), they are "currently doing all [they] possibly can in the short-term to increase utilization and meet increased demand both in the auto sector and more broadly for all customers."

So it seems that, as of right now, we might be dealing with this issue for a long time. It is hard to predict how the world will be in a year from now, but at Wrench, we can only hope for the best.

What Is Affected By The Chip Shortage?

Cars aren't the only thing that is affected by the chip shortage! Any piece of technology that uses semiconductors will have limits in production. This can include anything from laptops to medical devices.

This is why it is so crucial that the world works together to solve this problem because if it continues to get worse, a lot of different industries will be affected. Unfortunately, the worst is likely still to come.

In The Market For A New Car: What The Chip Shortage Means For You

Many people all over the world are looking to buy a new vehicle, and if you are currently keeping your eyes open, odds are you won't have much luck. Because of the chip shortage, new cars are not only hard to find, but the ones you can find will be super expensive. That's why many people are turning to used vehicles instead of new vehicles!

If you are in the market for buying a new car right now, we suggest considering a used vehicle.

While most vehicle prices are increasing, according to ISeeCars, there are a lot of vehicles that are struggling in the sales department.

Here's a list of the slowest-selling vehicles in May, 2021:

• Ford Fusion
• Honda Insight
• Dodge Journey
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Cadillac XT4
• Cadillac CT5
• Cadillac CT4
• Volvo S60
• Ford Ecosport
• Toyota Avalon
• Chevrolet Trax
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Chevrolet Spark
• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Jeep Compass
• Ford Edge
• Mazda CX-3
• Mitsubishi Mirage
• Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback
• Nissan Versa

Many of these vehicles are historically popular, so it might be worth a shot to look into these makes and models to determine if one of these vehicles is the right fit for you. With demand for vehicles growing every day and these makes and models being left in the dust, you might score a great deal!

Pro's And Con's Of Buying A Used Vehicle

Buying a used vehicle can have a lot of pros, but it can also have a few cons. On one side, you won't have to spend so much money upfront on the vehicle. Brand new vehicles tend to be overpriced, whereas you can get a pretty great deal on a used car. Since they are used, they will often be priced below the amount they are actually worth. There are many reliable cars out there that do the same thing as a new car, but without the "newness!"

However, the biggest problem with buying a used car is the issue of its quality. Some used-car sellers try to sell a car that is poor quality whether it has too many miles or needs a large number of repairs. These sellers can even hide these issues from the customer which would result in you purchasing a useless car. In the automotive industry, we call these cars "lemons."

One way you can avoid that sour surprise is by hiring a professional inspector to come to take a look at your car. That's where Lemon Squad, a Wrench company, comes into play!

Lemon Squad is a mobile inspection company that covers the entire United States and even some parts of Canada. They will go right to the location of the used vehicle you are interested in and take a look. Then they will provide you with a thorough, detailed inspection report, complete with high-quality images of the vehicle. Then you will get the stamp of approval from a professional and will be able to confidently avoid buying a lemon.

How Can Wrench Help?

Now that we have mentioned Lemon Squad, you might be wondering where Wrench fits into all of this. Wrench is a tech-focused mobile mechanic company that is committed to providing more convenient auto repair and maintenance services to car owners all over the US. If you are a new vehicle owner, you will need to think about what you will do if your car breaks down or needs a routine maintenance service.

We are here to bring our services right to your preferred location whether that be your home, office, or even the local shopping mall. Wrench has hundreds of mobile mechanics all over the country that are standing by to assist you whenever you need it. Our mobile mechanics are ASE-certified and have experience will all kinds of makes and models. Whether you have a Chevrolet, Dodge, Mazda, or Ford vehicle, we got you covered!

Not only can we provide maintenance and reparative services, but we can also provide roadside assistance! So book an appointment with us if you are at home or out and about!

How To Book An Appointment With Wrench

To book an auto repair or maintenance appointment with Wrench, visit our website, download our mobile app, or reach out to our service reps through phone or email. No matter which way you decide to book your appointment, we will need to know a little information about your vehicle and its needs, especially if you don't have a Wrench account just yet.

The first thing we will need to know is what kind of vehicle needs an auto repair or maintenance service. You will need to provide information such as the color, year, make, and model as well as the VIN and license plate number. This information will help us prepare for your appointment and we will bring the correct parts needed to get you up and running. We will also make sure to match you up with a mechanic that has experience working with your type of vehicle. This is particularly important for those who own classic or exotic vehicles.

Then we will need to know what services you need. We offer all kinds of auto repair and maintenance services from catalytic converter replacements to oil changes and tire rotations. If you have a particular service in mind, you can book that specific service. If you aren't sure what is wrong with your car, we would recommend booking a diagnostic appointment and our mobile mechanics will inspect your vehicle and determine the next steps.

Then we will use that information to calculate an affordable auto repair quote just for you. Our quote will include both a time and cost estimate and will include everything from parts to labor costs. You won't have to worry about finding any hidden fees after your services, ever! We want to build a relationship with our customers, so we will always be 100% upfront and honest.

After you have had a moment to look over our auto repair quote, you will be able to approve it. Then we will send you a confirmation email with all the details of your appointment. Check it over, then you are all set!