What 'chips' are the MMEs waiting for anyway?

[Cobra427]

Reading the posts in the six week delay email thread has me wondering what chips/modules/systems are our cars missing? I read somewhere on here a while back that the industry-wide chip shortage was primarily for engine controls, which MMEs don't have, so we should be fine, the supposition was.

So just what 'chips' are we held up for, anyway? Question #2 - are all the other BEV makers facing the same problem? Thought I saw some posts indicating that Tesla was promising 5-7 week delivery.

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[AZBill]

No engine controls? Sorry but the battery management systems and the motor controllers are very similar electronics to ICE controllers. Just the inputs and outputs are different.

There are many "chips" and circuit board components. Some are:

- CPUs
- FPGAs
- ROM memory (i.e. Flash)
- RAM memory
- Analog to digital converters
- Digital to analog converters
- CAN bus controllers
- Many more ...

Ford and other OEMs get complete modules from suppliers, so it is not really a chip shortage, as much as it is a computer shortage. Their suppliers, like Bosch for example, are waiting for the chips so that they can build those computer boxes and ship them to Ford. Ford can write the software and flash it to the computer memory, but they do not typically build the computers themselves. Just like when you buy a PC from HP, but load it with Windows software.

 

[Cobra427]

No engine controls? Sorry but the battery management systems and the motor controllers are very similar electronics to ICE controllers. Just the inputs and outputs are different.

There are many "chips" and circuit board components. Some are:

- CPUs
- FPGAs
- ROM memory (i.e. Flash)
- RAM memory
- Analog to digital converters
- Digital to analog converters
- CAN bus controllers
- Many more ...

Ford and other OEMs get complete modules from suppliers, so it is not really a chip shortage, as much as it is a computer shortage. Their suppliers, like Bosch for example, are waiting for the chips so that they can build those computer boxes and ship them to Ford. Ford can write the software and flash it to the computer memory, but they do not typically build the computers themselves. Just like when you buy a PC from HP, but load it with Windows software.

Yes, thank you, we all know cars are packed with computer devices, and they all have acronym names, but what are our cars missing? MME controls and ICE controls might be similar, but they are not interchangeable. And most of us know that Ford doesn't make all these controls, but once again, what are the suppliers missing?

And, BTW, who in their right mind would buy a PC from HP and load it with Windows software?

 

[agoldman]

Don't know which chips, but I am wondering what is involved in installing them and programing them if need be. Whether this can be done easily at a dealer, or off site after built? It's unclear.

And yes, virtually every car manufacturer, as well as various electronics products, are having chip shortages worldwide.

 

[Cobra427]

Don't know which chips, but I am wondering what is involved in installing them and programing them if need be. Whether this can be done easily at a dealer, or off site after built? It's unclear.

Right. That is the reason I am asking - really cannot imagine the individual integrated circuits would be left out to be installed later. Usually too far down in the level of assembly, and too much can go wrong, and most are wave soldered into the boards. Imagine the cars are waiting on the complete modules as purchased from the supplier like Bosch.

Just curious who is really holding up our cars...

 

[fightinag]

Tesla in Houston told me they'd have me what I wanted in 2-4 weeks

 

[Cobra427]

Tesla in Houston told me they'd have me what I wanted in 2-4 weeks

So apparently Tesla suppliers can get chips?

 

[agoldman]

It's not Ford's fault the chips are holding it up. It's Ford's lack of info that would make us at least try to feel a bit better about the wait that is bothersome. I could care less about $30 worth of extra free charging. I'd pay $30 to find out exactly what state my car is in and not some rumor based half information.

Hey Ford, have any GT's shipped with the chips installed?
Why is it so hard to tell if your order has chips or not?
What do the current ETA's actually mean? Real, or add 6 weeks, or what?

 

[RickMachE]

No one knows what specific chips.

Even if a Ford employee knew, they can't post that online.

Not going to get an answer worth anything.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

Chocolate chips. Because chocolate is critical to everything.

 

[machefan]

Ford is to blame really, they stopped orders when the slow down started. Now the demand out paces JIT manufacturing. Very simple, one factory at 100% capacity can’t keep up. The internet is filled with articles on this very subject in great details. Ford hasn’t learned the value of constant customer communication with greater transparency of exactly where things are scheduled. Real news is better than vague words.

stay pumped folks

 

[DYohn]

Don't blame Ford, blame tsmc and COVID-19.

 

[machefan]

Don't blame Ford, blame tsmc and COVID-19.

Okay Forget about Ford here as they are in the same boat as many manufactures in ~2020

TSMC are the only ones in the game and when they are at full capacity there is no more to give. Thus the global backlog, if Ford forecasted correctly (or gambled) they would have kept parts on order based on prior trends or new releases. Ford uses a "just in time manufacturing" model like most of the world.

Car Customer Orders = Parts orders, have a slow down in car orders you have a slow down in parts orders. It's not something I am making up here.

 

[agoldman]

No one knows what specific chips.

Even if a Ford employee knew, they can't post that online.

Not going to get an answer worth anything.

Why? Super double secret for eyes only super duper magic double probation chip that no one else can see or hear about? Seems very Apple paranoid like. Whatever . . it is what it is. . and we are apparently not allowed to know. Not that that would get it here any faster..

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Yes, thank you, we all know cars are packed with computer devices, and they all have acronym names, but what are our cars missing? MME controls and ICE controls might be similar, but they are not interchangeable. And most of us know that Ford doesn't make all these controls, but once again, what are the suppliers missing?

And, BTW, who in their right mind would buy a PC from HP and load it with Windows software?

You'll never know which modules or boards are installed later than normal. Ford will know, but not the end consumer.

The module manufacturers are waiting on various computer components. The component manufacturers are working as long as can be done, shipping is backed up. Raw materials are backed up for delivery and are lagging in production. This won't be resolved anytime soon.

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