A tiny partâs big effect: Car industry crippled by global chip shortage Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss By Jack Ewing and Neal E. Boudette April 27, 2021 â 7.15am Save Normal text size Advertisement Around the world, auto assembly lines are going quiet, workers are idle, and dealership parking lots are looking bare. A shortage of semiconductors â the tiny but critical chips used to calibrate carsâ fuel injection, run infotainment systems or provide the brains for cruise control â has upended automaking. Morris Chang, chairman and founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. The company, a giant in chip manufacturing, gives high priority to smartphone makers, leaving car manufacturers waiting.