Some GM truck owners will pay more at the pump due to computer chip shortage

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

Unfortunately for buyers, even once the chips are available GM won’t be able to retrofit engines with the missing fuel management module. So the decrease in mileage, to about 16 miles per 17 gallon, will be permanent.

Buyers will receive a small consolation prize, a credit of $ 50 off the list price of the vehicle. The mileage sticker in the window will also be changed to reflect lower mileage, according to GM spokeswoman Michelle Malcho.

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

The entire auto industry has been hit by the shortage of computer chips, which has resulted in temporary plant closures.

Automakers slashed orders for computer chips early last year when the pandemic dragged down auto sales and production – but then car sales rebounded earlier than expected.Meanwhile, the industry Consumer technology had been busy reclaiming excess chips through increased demand for devices in the age of work from home.

Everything is left to automakers struggling with a chip shortage, and that will have a significant effect: GM said it expects 2021 profits to be cut from $ 1.5 billion to $ 2 billion. dollars because of the shortage of chips. The company He has temporarily closed three factories – the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas, CAMI in Ingersoll, Ont., and San Luis Potosi in Mexico – in early February and they remain closed.

GM has also built some vehicles without missing computer chips, planning to add them when available once the rest of production is finished.

But it tried to keep production on its relatively sold full-size pickups like the Silverado and Sierra, as well as full-size SUVs. These versions of the pickup trucks are considered a “light” version of the trucks, with a smaller engine than the “heavy” models.