You may have heard it already, but it is official now: BMW will be delivering its 3-Series, 4-Series, X5, X6 and X7 models without sensor-based infotainment displays for the time being. Only customers in the USA are affected right now, but the situation may change.
BMW Europe and other branches haven’t made any related announcements yet. Those who ordered one or the cars listed above in the United States will still be able to control their infotainment systems via voice commands or the iDrive controller, just not the screen.
Production of touch-enabled infotainment units halted in the North America in early November. Dealerships are currently calling customers and working out possible solutions to this issue. The suggested workaround is to keep the car as is and get a $500 discount from the manufacturer.
What really concerns us is that no one knows when the semiconductor crisis might finally be over. In late October, BMW silently dropped the HUD display option from the online configurator of multiple models, including 1 through 4 Series, the X3, and the X4. Premium and luxury cars have been able to retain their HUDs for now.