Title: Chip shortage, explained: Why it's impacting car prices, tech items
Headings: The microchip shortage explained: How it's impacting car prices and the tech industry
The microchip shortage explained: How it's impacting car prices and the tech industry
Michael Liedtke, Tom Krisher
Is the pandemic to blame?
Are there other factors at work?
Why is the auto industry being hit so hard?
How are automakers dealing with the shortage?
Will this impact my ability to buy a new car this year?
Will other popular products be affected this year?
What will prevent another chip shortage?

Content: Some analysts believe the Trump administration’s blacklisting of Huawei Technologies prompted that major maker of smartphones to build a huge stockpile of chips as it braced for the crackdown. Why is the auto industry being hit so hard? Stay-at-home orders drove a surge in consumer electronics sales, squeezing auto parts suppliers who use chips for computers that control gas pedals, transmissions and touch screens. Chipmakers compounded the pressure by rejiggering factory lines to better serve the consumer electronics market, which generates far more revenue for them than autos. After eight weeks of pandemic-induced shutdown in the spring, automakers started reopening factories earlier than they had envisioned. But then they were hit with unexpected news: chipmakers weren’t able to flip a switch quickly and make the types of processors needed for cars. How are automakers dealing with the shortage? They’ve canceled shifts and temporarily closed factories. Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis), Volkswagen and Honda seem to have been hit the hardest.