<article><p class="lead">The number of North America vehicle builds expected to be lost this year to semiconductor shortages has topped half a million, according to the latest AutoForecast Solutions estimate.</p><p>About 515,000 automotive builds are expected to be lost this year, AutoForecast Solutions said in a 12 September report, up from the prior week by 27,000 vehicles.</p><p>Production of more than 450,000 additional vehicles is at risk, the forecaster said.</p><p>The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of steel products in North America. The average North American vehicle consumes 1,980 lbs of steel, of which approximately 1,480 lbs are flat-rolled products, as well as 486 lbs of aluminum, according to data from the American Iron and Steel Institute's automotive program.</p><p class="bylines">By Rye Druzin</p></article>
