The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: Asian factories hit hardest

Assembly plants in China and the rest of Asia were hit hardest by a lack of semiconductors this week, representing the majority of the 50,423 vehicles automakers cut from production plans worldwide because of the shortage, according to the latest AutoForecast Solutions estimate.

Factories in China eliminated 25,469 vehicles because of the chip shortage, while plants elsewhere in Asia removed 15,613 vehicles from their plans, the forecasting firm said.

Automakers cut 8,459 vehicles from North American plant schedules, and European factories eliminated the remainder of this week’s losses.

AutoForecast Solutions’ year-to-date tally of chip-related production cuts continues to climb, but the projected year-end total for 2023 dipped this week, from 2.48 million vehicles to 2.45 million. That reflects auto production levels steadying around the world as microchip supply improves, said Sam Fiorani, AutoForecast Solutions vice president of global vehicle forecasting.