Editorial

The semiconductor shortage plaguing the global auto industry has highlighted the ubiquity of electronics in cars. Between 10% and 12% of global production could be lost as a result of a historic and lasting shortage of semiconductors, a raw material now as essential as metal or plastic to make a vehicle. Japanese giant Toyota said in mid-August that it would cut production in September by 40 percent from forecast. For their part, the semiconductor giants are investing in entire sections of the automotive sector. Several years ago, Elon Musk predicted that the car would be just an iPad on 4 wheels, thus shaping the beginnings of a radical transformation of the automotive world. In early September, Xiaomi, considered the equivalent of Apple in China, formally launched into the automotive sector, with the announcement of the creation of a dedicated "Xiaomi Auto" subsidiary. The disruption of new raw materials and unbridled "softwarisation" brings its cohort of new players and adds even more uncertainties in this sector.