The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: Cuts continue, but outlook improves

Automakers removed 80,710 vehicles from their global production schedules because of the microchip shortage this week, according to the latest estimate by AutoForecast Solutions.

European assembly plants were most impacted by the chip shortage, with companies there eliminating 48,813 vehicles from production plans. At Asian factories outside of China, 30,558 vehicles were eliminated, along with 1,339 vehicles in the Middle East and Africa.

No further cuts were reported in North America, China or South America, as semiconductor supply continues to improve worldwide.

“Barring trade relations problems, automotive should not see industry-wide interruptions on a grand scale moving forward and the gap between chip demand and supply will continue to ease,” Sam Fiorani, AutoForecast Solutions vice president of global vehicle forecasting, said in an email.