The oh-so-ever elusive semiconductor might have an elusive brother as well, as we appear to have yet another shortage in material vital to automotive production. Magnesium is running low in China, and unfortunately, that has the potential to carry over issues for all of us, since likely unbeknownst to most, magnesium is crucial to the production of aluminum as a bonding alloy. Aluminum is used in everything thanks to its high strength and low weight, including wheels, transmission components, and vehicle frames. Right now there aren’t any warnings put out by automotive manufacturers, but considering how the past 19 or so months have gone I don’t know that it would be out of place to wait for the other shoe to drop.

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