An encouraging headline from Bloomberg (via Yahoo Finance) on Thursday. That said, “World’s Largest iPhone Assembler Says Parts Shortages Are Easing.” Encouraging! Then you read the story and wonder a couple of things: First, “what makes them think so?” and second, “why couldn’t you leave well enough alone and just be happy with the headline?”
It was James Wu, a spokesman for Hon Hai Precision Industry (you can call ‘em Foxconn), who offered the encouraging words. “There will be a major improvement in parts shortages in the first quarter,” read the report, “with ‘overall supply constraints’ set to ease in the second half,” according to Mr. Wu.
The only problem with the report is the rest of it. Bloomberg reminds readers that TSMC and other semiconductor companies “have indicated chip supply will remain tight throughout 2022.” That’s forced carmakers, including Ford and Toyota, to warn of ongoing impact to their business. Hon Hai’s Wu also indicated that power management chips are still on the hard to get list. Bloomberg had him indicating that his company “is striving to minimize the impact from supply-chain challenges…”
But, you know… ’s gonna be great!
