Toyota customers face more than a year of delays because of parts shortages

Parts supply shortages will result in lengthy delays for new vehicle customers already waiting months to get their next car.

Production of new models such as the Toyota LandCruiser 300 series has been delayed by parts supply shortages.

Australian Toyota customers could face delays of more than a year for new cars as a global semiconductor shortage stops production at its Japanese factories.

Motorists already waiting several months for their next car could have deliveries pushed back into late 2022 as the manufacturer grapples with parts supply problems.

The Japanese giant has announced it will stop production at its Japanese plants in September, putting the brakes on 27 of its 28 production lines responsible for vehicles including the Toyota Corolla hatchback, Toyota RAV4 SUV and the all-new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

These shutdowns, which last between one and 30 days depending on the facility, are expected to cut the company’s production by about 40 per cent, or 400,000 vehicles.

A Toyota Australia spokeswoman said the company was currently working with its global production team to work through the impact on Australia and to support our customers.

Toyota’s sought-after GR Yaris Rallye is also affected by the issue.

It also affects Toyota’s luxury offshoot, Lexus, which will halt production on all its vehicles for a large chunk of September.

This could affect the arrival of its most important vehicle, the all-new NX mid-size SUV due to hit our shores later this year.

The average new car has more than 100 chips on-board, powering everything from the touch screen to engine mapping and crash avoidance technology.

The semiconductor shortage has gripped the global automotive industry for the past year and has affected nearly every brand on the planet.

Modern cars are packed with tech made possible by electronic parts which are in short supply.

Toyota has fared better than others due to it having compiled a stockpile of semiconductors, but the ongoing shortage has finally stung the Japanese brand.

Jeep Australia boss, Kevin Flynn, said the American brand has had to recognise the challenge in global manufacturing at the moment and the effects it is having on local sales.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had such low levels of stock in the country,” said Mr Flynn.

“The car yards are certainly empty, we just have to work every month to make sure the stuff is coming, we’re getting it prepped, we’re getting it out and supporting the dealers and our customers. We have, in certain models, got fairly lengthy order banks and we just have to keep working to improve that situation,” he said.

Jaguar Land Rover will remove some features from Australian models to help address the issue.

Earlier this year Kia Australia chief said the semiconductor shortage was causing increased wait time for customers and had cost the brand about 20 per cent of possible sales due to customers getting sick and tired of waiting for their new car.

Volkswagen created a website to keep Australian customers informed of supply problems.

Originally published as Toyota customers face more than a year of delays because of parts shortages