Skoda Kushaq And Volkswagen Taigun Lose Auto Folding Mirrors Due To Chip Shortage
Highlights
- Both the Kushaq and Taigun are built on the same assembly line
- The auto-folding function was only offered with the top-end variants
- Skoda says dealer can retrofit the feature later after situation improves
The ongoing global shortage for semiconductor chips is leaving a deep impact on the auto industry, and its latest victims are the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun. Both sister brands of the VW Group have recently removed the auto-folding function for the ORVMs (outside rear-view mirrors) from the two compact SUVs, as a direct result of chip shortage. Considering both the SUVs are built on the same MQB-A0-IN platform and are built on the same assembly line, the problem affects both of them. The feature has been removed from the official brochures of both SUVs, and now they come with manually folding ORVMs as standard across the variant line-up.
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undefinedHi Pradeep. Unfortunately this was outside of our control and was caused by a lack of semi conductors from our supplier for this feature. The dealer will be able to retrofit this feature at a later date when the situation improves.
— Zac Hollis (@Zac_Hollis_) January 30, 2022
Skoda Auto India's Brand Director, Zac Hollis confirmed this development while replying to a Twitter user's complaint who noticed that the feature was missing on his recently booked Kushaq. Hollis replied to the user saying, "Unfortunately this was outside of our control and was caused by a lack of semiconductors from our supplier for this feature. The dealer will be able to retrofit this feature at a later date when the situation improves."
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The same has also been confirmed by company sources at Volkswagen India, however, we have been told that this is just a temporary issue, and the auto-folding function for ORMVs will be reintroduced later. Do note that the feature was only offered with the top-of-the-line variants of the Kushaq and Taigun, the lower variants came with manually folding ORVMs even before the revision. The rest of the features appear to remain unchanged.
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Both the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun are powered by the same 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engines. While a 6-speed manual gearbox is standard on both SUVs, the 1.0 TSI version gets an optional 6-speed automatic torque converter unit, while the bigger 1.5 TSI model gets a 7-speed DSG unit. The Kushaq is currently priced between Rs. 10.99 lakh and Rs. 18.19 lakh, whereas the Taigun is priced from Rs. 11 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, India).