No automaker is entirely immune to the occasional production setback. However, GM seems to be trying to hurdle more of them. New Chevy Tahoes and new GMC Yukons are losing their wireless charging functions. This announcement may not be a dealbreaker for some SUV buyers. But cutting these wireless charging features points to a more significant factor that GM and many other automakers are still struggling to remedy.

The semi-conductor chip shortage hits several industries

You’re probably aware of the recent headlines regarding the semi-conductor chip shortages plaguing the country. Industries from video game production to dishwashers have been impacted. Running short of these chips means higher prices for countless electronics you might need to buy yet this year. 

The automotive industry hasn’t been immune either. Electronic features in your cars rely on these semi-conductor chips for operation. And this recent shortage, created by the shipping and production nightmares caused by pandemic shutdowns, has many automakers like General Motors sitting on nearly completed production models, just waiting for chip installation. The Drive reported Ford alone is sitting on thousands of unfinished Super Duty pickups.

The latest GM discontinued feature and what it means for consumers

GM is dropping the wireless charging feature from its 2021 Chevy Tahoe models and 2021 GMC Yukon models. And as The Drive suggests, this likely won’t be the last feature to get the boot. More specifically, any of these SUV models produced July 12 or after will be without the mobile device charger. And anyone buying one of these models will receive a $75 MSRP credit for the missing feature, says GM Authority.

Other models affected by this discontinuation include some of the 2021 Chevy Suburban models. Any Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, or other affected SUVs on the dealership lots without the wireless charging function will be noticeably tagged with an RPO code of 00C to ensure buyers receive their credit and vehicles are correctly identified.

So you might not be too concerned about missing out on this conductor chip-dependent extra when purchasing a GM vehicle. But when you’re paying for a Premier, High Country, or Denali version of these SUVs, you’ll need to know you won’t have ALL the bells and whistles. And based on how tech-centric GM is, including the GMC roster of state-of-the-art features, chip shortages could be affecting more down the road.

Will the chip-induced problems and shortage ever end?

For now, this latest GM announcement might not seem earth-shattering. But as the conductor chip shortage continues to wreak havoc on all things electronic, you should prepare for more of these types of setbacks. Sure, the production of these chips will eventually get back to pre-pandemic levels. But the backlog is anticipated to take several months to reverse. Looking at the months ahead, some economists predict that any affected industry might not see some semblance of normalcy in stock until well into 2022. And The Drive suggests car buyers should anticipate continued higher pricing on vehicles and potential delays or discontinued features for a while.

If you have the 2021 Chevy Tahoe or 2021 GMC Yukon on your must-see list yet this year, be prepared to lose the wireless charging. Plugging in to charge your device might be a mild inconvenience for now. However, it’s just another side effect of the pandemic that you might need to get used to seeing with new car purchases down the road.