Some GM truck owners will pay more at the pump due to a shortage of computer chips

GM said Monday it will build some versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra without a fuel management module that improves mileage by about 1 mile per liter.

Unfortunately, even if the chips are not available, buyers will not be able to set up the engines with the missing fuel management module. The decrease in kilometers, to about 17 kilometers per liter from 17, will therefore be permanent.

Buyers get a small consolation price of $ 50 credit off the vehicle’s list price. According to GM spokeswoman Michelle Malcho, the mileage in the window will also be changed to reflect a lower mileage.

The relevant versions of the trucks are a 5.3 liter EcoTec3 V8 engine and a 6- or 8-speed automatic transmission.

The entire automotive industry was affected by the shortage of computer chips, and temporary shutdowns of the plant became commonplace as a result.

Carmakers slashed computer chip orders early last year when the pandemic slammed motorcycle sales and production – but then car sales bounced back sooner than expected. Meanwhile, the consumer technology industry was increasing the excess supply of chips due to increased demand for appliances in the work-from-home era.

This has all left carmakers struggling with a shortage of chips, and it will have a significant effect: GM said it expects 2021 profits to fall by $ 1.5 billion to $ 2 billion as a result of the scarcity of chips. The company It has early three February temporarily closed three plants – the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas, CAMI in Ingersoll, Ontario and San Luis Potosi in Mexico.

GM has also built a few vehicles without missing computer chips, and plans to add them again after the rest of the production is completed.

But he tried to maintain the production of his relatively hot-selling full-size pickups such as the Silverado and Sierra, as well as full-size SUVs. These versions of the pickups are considered a ‘light’ version of the trucks, with a smaller engine than the ‘heavy duty’ models.