Update (July 26, 4:11 PM): GM responded to our inquiry confirming the change and offering more details about which trims would by affected and why. The text has been altered to reflect the new information.
Some GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks will have to go without the heat seating option for their second-row seats.
As of July 26, the Heated Second Row Outboard Seats will be a limited availability feature on certain GM light- and heavy-duty pickup trucks. The move is being made as a response to the chip shortage.
“By taking this measure, it will enable continued production and delivery of inventory to help respond to the strong customer and dealer demand for our light and heavy-duty pickups as the industry continues to rebound and strengthen,” a GM spokesperson told us in a statement.
The company also provided the following chart, breaking down exactly which vehicles will be affected by the change.
Read Also: GM Builds Trucks Without Cylinder Deactivation Due To Chip Shortage
The ongoing supply shortage forced GM to idle production of the Equinox, one of Chevrolet’s best-selling vehicles, for two months starting in May of this year. Although it’s cold comfort to GM, the entire industry is struggling with production shortages affecting nearly every automaker.
GM was also forced to ship some pickups with the 3.5-liter EcoTec3 V8 engines without the Active Fuel Management system, also known as cylinder deactivation, in March. That led the trucks to lose one MPG on their official fuel economy rating.
At the time, GM offered customers who had ordered the truck and could not get it a $50 credit. It’s unclear if it will do the same for Sierra and Silverado customers who are affected by this limited availability.
