Ford will soon begin selling and shipping some Ford Explorerwithout the chips that power the rear climate and heating controls, according to a report from Automotive News. The automaker will ship the missing semiconductors to dealers within a year, which they will then install in customers' vehicles after purchase.
See also: Ford will double production of electric F-150 Lightning
Ford spokesman Said Deepsaid that the heating and air conditioning will still be controlled from the front seats and that customers who choose to purchase a vehicle without the rear controls will receive a price reduction. According to Deep, Ford is doing this as a way to get new models to customers faster and that the change is only temporary.
The automaker originally planned to ship partially built, non-driveable vehicles to dealers last year, but now the vehicles without the chips will be driveable and sold. As Automotive News points out, Ford's decision comes as an effort to move partially built vehicles crowding its factory lots.
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Last month, hundreds of new Ford Broncos were spotted sitting idle in snow-covered lots near Ford's Michigan assembly plant, waiting in chip-related facilities.
Like many other companies, Ford is struggling with the limitations imposed by the chip shortage. After a semiconductor shortage forced Ford to cut production of its popular F-150 last year, it began allowing customers to purchase the vehicle without automatic start-stop, the feature that shuts off a vehicle’s engine when it comes to a complete stop. Ford gave affected owners a $50 credit in exchange.
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Other automakers have also had to make sacrifices due to the chip shortage, with GM dropping wireless charging, HD radio, and a fuel management module that made some trucks run more efficiently. Meanwhile, Tesla sold some cars without USB ports. Luxury cars were no exception, as Cadillac dropped hands-free driving on the 2022 Escalade, while BMW began shipping some cars without touchscreens.
