GM Brands May Upgrade Unheated Seat Models by 2022

Earlier in November, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC dealers received notices from manufacturers that some models cars with heated or ventilated seats will not be available. This is due to the semiconductor crisis that has dragged on indefinitely. Now there is good news: a number of manufacturers will take steps to update their model range, after which the cars will become available for sale. This could happen as early as mid-2022.




“We have communicated to our dealers in the US that all vehicles covered by the previous notice of the temporary removal of heated and ventilated seats will be eligible for an upgrade that activates modules with previously cut features. General Motors will cover the cost of improving each car,” GM said in a statement to Automotive News.

The new update was much more welcome news for dealers, who were already prepared to suffer significant losses due to the shortage of cars with heated and ventilated seats. Earlier information said that the upgrade is not possible. Instead, factories produced cars without climate control due to the lack of semiconductors. If not for the upgrade plans, this situation should have continued throughout the 2022 model year.

Initially, it was proposed to “calm down” disappointed customers with a $500 discount when buying a car with reduced functionality. Now the “rebate” has been reduced to $50, as it has become possible to upgrade at the discretion of the buyer. The modification does not apply to heated steering wheels, so cars that must have this feature from the factory are selling at a $150 discount.

A complete list of cars that have lost seat heating due to a shortage of semiconductor elements is already known. These included: Buick Enclave, Encore GX, Envision; Cadillac XT4, XT5, XT6; Chevrolet Blazer, Colorado, Equinox, Malibu, Silverado, Trailblazer and Traverse. Some models have lost heating only for the rear seats. This affected the Buick Enclave Avenir, Cadillac XT5 Sport, Cadillac XT6 Sport, Chevy Traverse High Country and GMC Acadia Denali.



GM is facing a lot of problems because of the semiconductor crisis. For example, it is not possible to build pickup trucks with a 5,3-liter V8 engine equipped with an electronic cylinder deactivation system Active Fuel Management. In addition, the Super Cruise Advanced Driving Assistance System is temporarily unavailable for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade.

According to the Daimler CEO, the semiconductor shortage may remain in place throughout 2022 and only decrease in 2023. BMW management is more optimistic, suggesting that the situation will improve in the middle or end of 2022.