Detroit dealers react to GM robbing heated seats and steering wheel

General Motors dealers in Metro Detroit face new challenges in selling cars.

Michigan car buyers need to be informed that many 2022GM models do not have heated seats or heated steering wheels, just as temperatures drop to the 40s and winter is weeks ahead. ..

“That’s not ideal. Paul Zimmermann, vice president and partner of Redford Township’s Matic Chevrolet and McComm’s Matic Toyota, said: The problem is that 100% of zero is zero. Will occur. “

The problem is getting enough new cars to market in the global shortage of semiconductor chips. Chips are used in a variety of automotive parts. The shortage has plagued US car production since February, forcing many automakers to build cars without certain features.

more: Everything you need to know about the chip shortage that plagues car makers

On Friday, GM announced that it would not offer heated and heated steering wheels for the driver and passenger seats as standard or optional content for certain 2022 models of cars and trims.

GM spokesman David Barnas said the measure was temporary until the chip supply improved. He said GM is trying to limit it and automakers are looking at ways to add heated seats and steering wheels to car buyers’ vehicles later when parts become available. I did.

Vehicles that do not provide heating or ventilation seats and result in a $ 200- $ 500 discount from the suggested retail price are:

• Chevrolet Malibu Sedan: LT and Premier

• Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV: LT, ACTIV, RS

• Chevrolet Blazer SUV: LT, RS, Premier

• Chevrolet Traverse SUV: 1LT, 3LT, RS, Premier, High Country (Rear only)

• Chevrolet Colorado Medium Pickup: LT, Z71, and ZR2

• Chevrolet Silverado Small Pickup: LT, RST, LT Trailboss, LTZ

• Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty Pickup: LT and LTZ

• GMC Canyon Medium Pickup: Elevation, AT4, Denali

• GMC Terrain SUV: SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali

• GMC Acadia SUV: SLE / SLT / AT4 and Denali (rear heat only)

• GMC Sierra Limited Small Pickup: SLE, elevation, SLT, AT4

• GMC Sierra Heavy Duty Pickup: SLE, SLT, AT4

• Buick Encore GX SUV: Priority, selection, essence

• Buick Envision SUV: Preferred, Essence, Avenir

• Buick Enclave SUV: Premium, Avenir (rear heat only)

• Cadillac XT4 SUV: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sports

• Cadillac XT5 SUV: Luxury, premium, sports (rear heat only)

• Cadillac XT6SUV: Luxury, premium, sports (rear heat only)

Many vehicles discontinue the heated steering wheel are the same, but also include certain trims for the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV, as well as GM’s full-size SUVs such as the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe. It removes about $ 150 from MSRP.

The story continues

Seat heaters and steering are preferred in cold climates, but dealers say customers are more willing to lose certain features due to a serious shortage of new cars.

“I haven’t heard any complaints yet, but I’m sure it will,” Zimmerman said. Industry from furniture to food. Unfortunately, it’s getting a little normal. “

This is not the first feature GM has removed from the vehicle due to the chip crisis. In March, GM announced that it would manufacture certain 2021 small full-size pickups. No fuel management module Until the end of the model year. In June, GM launched a 2021 full-frame compact pickup and SUV. Automatic stop / start function..

“Customers weren’t happy, but they were fine,” said Gordon Stewart, owner of Gordon Chevrolet in Garden City. “People are happy to get a car right now, and many things will settle down, especially if it’s not ridiculously marked up. People used to stick to color. Now They want one color and leave with another. “I’m happy to have it. “

more: With the new sticker shock, car buyers are now paying their vehicles more than their suggested retail price.

According to Bernus, GM has improved chip flow and most assembly plants in North America have been producing regularly for the past few weeks. Production in the fourth quarter is increasing.

“In fact, some plants, such as medium-duty trucks, full-size trucks, and full-size SUV plants, are performing overtime shifts this weekend,” Barnas said. “We also expect to see more in 2022 compared to 2021.”

This year, GM has implemented a strategy to direct chip components to factories that manufacture the most demanding and profitable vehicles such as pickups and large SUVs. This means stopping production of small SUVs and sedans.

Chip shortages are still complex and fluid, according to Bernus. That’s what worries dealers.

“We are pleased that the supply chain has been relaxed a bit, but we are still using used cars in our new car showrooms,” Stewart said.

At Matic Chevrolet, used cars once again filled the new car showroom.

Normally, 1,000 new cars are parked on the Matic site. However, Zimmermann said that 65 new cars are in stock and 60 are on the way. This is the best stock in 2 months.

He knows that given how fragile the supply chain is, it can be temporary.

“At the end of the tunnel, the light of some sayings is beginning to appear, but everything seems dilute,” Zimmerman said. “If something is closed in Asia for political reasons, COVID, etc., it’s a domino effect.”

Jamie L. LaReau: 313-222-2149 or [email protected].. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan..read more General Motors And sign up with us Car newsletter.. Become a subscriber..

This article was originally published in Detroit Free Press: Detroit dealers react to GM robbing heated seats and steering wheels