Tesla removed a steering chip from some cars amid the global semiconductor shortage, sources told CNBC.Tesla also removed the chip because of pressure to meet its fourth-quarter sales goal, CNBC reported.
The omission of the chip affects tens of thousands of Model 3 and Model Y cars made in China, the employees told CNBC. The affected vehicles were sent to customers in China and exported to countries including Australia, the UK, and Germany, they said. According to CNBC, the missing component is one of two electronic control units that are part of the steering system that help turn the car. The component would need to be retrofitted to affected vehicles if they're to be capable of becoming fully autonomous in the future, the Tesla employees told CNBC.