Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Drop Fuel Management Due To Chip Shortage
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General Motors is now building 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks without Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) technologies due to the ongoing global microchip shortage.
In a recent report from Reuters, GM acknowledged that certain 2021 light-duty pickups were being produced without AFM and DFM, affecting fuel economy ratings. Affected models include those equipped with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82, which previously featured Active Fuel Management, and models equipped with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84, which previously featured Dynamic Fuel Management.
Active Fuel Management improves fuel economy by deactivating half of an engine’s cylinders under light driving conditions. Dynamic Fuel Management works in a similar manner, but improves on the AFM system with up to 17 different cylinder activation patterns, providing optimized efficiency and power delivery.
In a statement to Reuters, GM spokeswoman Michelle Malcho said that the omission of AFM and DFM on new Chevy Silverado and GMC pickups is expected to lower fuel economy by 1 mpg.
“We routinely monitor our fleet for compliance in the U.S. and Canada, and we balance our portfolio in a way that enables us to manage unforeseeable circumstances like this without compromising our overall (greenhouse gas) and fuel economy compliance,” Malcho said.
Malcho also said that GM will continue to build Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, although the volume of vehicles affected by the omission of AFM/DFM was not specified.
“By taking this measure, we are able to meet the strong customer and dealer demand for our full-size trucks as the industry continues to rebound and strengthen,” Malcho wrote in an email to Reuters.
The change is expected to continue through the 2021 model year.
The global microchip shortage has had an affect on the entirety of the auto industry, with nearly 60,000 GM vehicles expected to be cut from the automaker’s North American production schedule as a result, as well as reduced availability for various vehicle options.
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