What Are Covid Cars?Do You own one and what does it mean?
Have you bought a Covid Car?
The semiconductor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the automotive industry, leading to several notable changes and omissions in the production of cars. Vehicles built during this period (Covid Cars) often had to forego certain features and technologies that rely heavily on semiconductors.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, there are all kinds of items omitted that buyers are expecting and this could make a vehicle more difficult to sell. Some common features that were either reduced or omitted include:
- Infotainment Systems:
- Simplified or basic infotainment systems with limited functionality.
- Smaller or lower-resolution touchscreens.
- Reduced or no support for advanced features like navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
- Driver Assistance Technologies:
- Absence of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated parking.
- Simplified versions of safety features like collision avoidance systems and blind-spot monitoring.
- Luxury and Comfort Features:
- Fewer premium audio systems with reduced speaker count or basic sound systems.
- Absence of digital instrument clusters, reverting to analog gauges.
- Limited climate control options, such as single-zone air conditioning instead of dual-zone or tri-zone systems.
- Convenience Features:
- Lack of advanced keyless entry and push-button start systems.
- Fewer USB ports and wireless charging options.
- Reduced availability of power-adjustable seats and memory settings.
- Connectivity and Smart Features:
- Basic connectivity options with fewer or no smart features and telematics services.
- Limited or no over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities.
- Customization Options:
- Fewer options for customizable features and packages, leading to more standardized builds.
It is advisable to check the manufactures specifications against any used car you intend to buy. This just to make sure there have not been any omissions / deletions in a particular model which could affect the resale value or leave you disappointed.
