The chip crunch has driven home the need for automakers to
be "proactive" right now, and create "supply-chain
resiliency" longer term to avoid disruptions in the future, the firm said
on Friday.
Automakers have in the past had direct supply agreements with
producers of certain raw materials, including precious metals such as palladium
and platinum, used in exhaust scrubbing systems.
The more direct approach to securing precious metal supplies
was launched after a supply and price disruption in that market.
Automakers are now looking at developing direct
relationships with semiconductor makers, said Mark Wakefield, co-leader of
AlixPartners' global automotive practice.
"These things are shocked into existence," he
said.
Automakers have been reluctant in the past to make long term
commitments to buy semiconductors or other raw materials and take on the
financial liabilities for such agreements, Wakefield said.
Now, "the risk is real. It's not a potential" risk
of losing production to semiconductor shortages, he added.
Separately, Ford Motor Co said on Thursday it is redesigning
automotive parts to use more accessible chips, in response to the global
semiconductor shortage.
© Reuters
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