Rare Earths, Real Problems: Why Your Audi’s Side Mirrors Might Be Worth More Than Gold Soon
There’s a bit of panic in the air—and no, we’re not talking about the Phillies bullpen. We're talking about rare-earth magnets. You may not think about these little guys much, but they’re everywhere in your European car. From your BMW’s parking sensors to your Mercedes’ seat motors and that glorious Audi speaker system that makes every trip to Wawa feel like a concert—rare earth magnets are the unsung heroes of modern vehicle tech.
Here’s the twist: China controls 90% of the global supply chain for these magnets, and they’ve recently decided to tighten the tap. Think of it as your car needing espresso, and the only barista on Earth just shortened the café’s hours.
Now, automakers are scrambling. Mercedes-Benz is talking to suppliers about stockpiling magnets, and BMW is exploring rare-earth-free motors—a cool idea, but it’s going to take years to get those in gear at full scale.
So how does this affect you—our awesome, slightly car-obsessed customer?
This rare-earth crunch isn’t just industry drama—it could ripple out in ways that affect parts availability and repair timelines. These magnets power:
- Power windows & mirrors
- ABS and fuel vapor sensors
- Oil pumps
- Stereo speakers (yes, even that deep bass you love)
And here's the thing: we work on this stuff daily at Joe Davis Autosport. We're specialists in European car tech, and we know which parts depend on these rare materials.
"Fix it Now" Is the New Black
If you’ve been putting off that weird mirror twitch, or the parking sensor that’s "mostly fine"—now is the time to get it sorted. Right now, parts are still flowing. But if production halts (like we saw during the chip shortage), we could end up with backorders that stretch out.
So while the weather’s heating up and you're making summer road trip plans, don’t wait until your car’s acting up in the middle of I-95. Get your vehicle in top shape now while parts are available and your favorite shop (that’s us) has what it needs to keep your car road-ready.
Joe Davis Autosport Take: Stay Informed, Stay Ahead
Let’s be honest—between pandemics, chip shortages, and now this rare-earth drama, the car industry has had a rough few years. The lesson? Staying ahead is everything. We’re here to help you do that—not just with expert repairs, but by helping you understand what’s going on under the hood and behind the scenes in the global auto market.
And hey, if magnets are the next toilet paper, you’ll be glad your Benz has everything working before the shelves get empty.
Book Now Before It’s Hotter Than Your Radiator
We’ve got the tools, the talent, and—most importantly—the parts (for now). Whether it’s your cooling system, brakes, electronics, or A/C system (you do want it to blow cold this summer, right?), we’ve got you covered.