The situation is catastrophic. Several BMW models will lose touch screens – FonTech

The shortage of semiconductors has so far caused considerable problems in the automotive industry for virtually all manufacturers who have to deal with the missing chips in their own way. Some began to address the crisis by modifying interior equipment, which lost modern elements.

BMW is now joining selected VW or Peugeot models, which is forced to remove the touch screen from the equipment of the popular sedan and several SUV models, informs The Verge with reference to forum information Bimmerfest.com and portal Autoblog.

Information about such a change in equipment was confirmed at the mentioned discussion forum by its founder, according to which problems arose in the production of BMW models in the 4th quarter of the year. In order to maintain the pace of production, the carmaker was forced to change its equipment offer and remove the touch screen from the central infotainment system.

The Bavarians lost some of their equipment due to missing chips

This change affected the BMW 3rd Series (G20), 4th Series (G22 / G23 / G24 – in addition to the i4), Z4 (G29) and the X5, X6 and X7 models with the designation G05 / G06 / G07 in all variants. However, it has not been confirmed whether this is a global brand problem in all markets or just equipment modifications in the US market.

In addition to the aforementioned equipment change, selected models will also lose a parking assist, which records the forward travel and can replicate the exact route when reversing. Vehicles without an infotainment touch screen will be delivered to customers with $ 500 credit as compensation. It will not be possible to retrofit the touch screen in the vehicle.

However, the owner will have to sign upon acceptance that he agrees to this change of equipment. In addition, his vehicle will require a software update for such modification, which he should obtain from an authorized service center. After the new, drivers in the mentioned BMW models will rely instead of the touch screen on the classic iDrive physical controller in the center console, which is equipped with a touch screen.

But BMW is not the only carmaker behind a big deal that had to make such a controversial decision due to the chip crisis. GM has removed HD radio, a wireless smartphone charger, an automatic start / stop system, a fuel management system or a hands-free mode from the equipment of some vehicles.

VW and Peugeot also equipped the equipment

In addition, we recently informed that a similar step was taken by the German VW, which in the market in Brazil had to choose from the affordable Fox model the whole infotainment. The older model, which is no longer sold in our region, customers received without a radio and multimedia system, but with the preparation from production, they can have it retrofitted at the dealer.

Another similar fate befell the model Nivus, which is the original version of the VW Taigo also sold in Europe. He took a similar step due to the lack of semiconductors Peugeot, who had to replace modern digital “alarm clocks” on the dashboard with an analog classic in a popular model a few months ago.