New-car prices likely to remain high as semiconductor shortage shows no sign of easing

New-car prices in Australia are likely to remain relatively high – after a decade of sharp drive-away deals – because global vehicle production continues to be constrained by a shortage of semiconductors, which are key components for in-car infotainment systems and advanced driving aids. Most new cars use between 50 to 200 individual microchips, while hybrid and electric cars can require up to 3500 microchips.