The Sunday Mail
Would-be buyers of Toyota Motor Corp’s new Land Cruiser model in Japan may have to wait around four years before taking delivery, as the carmaker struggles to keep up with demand for the iconic sports utility vehicle amid supply-chain disruptions.
Waiting times were already stretching out to two years after the vehicle was revamped in 2021 for the first time in 14 years. The company is seeking to give customers a more specific time frame, said Shiori Hashimoto, a spokesperson for Toyota.
Global carmakers are facing supply-chain disruptions, including a shortage of semiconductors, with the omicron variant now hitting suppliers and assembly lines in China, Japan and other parts of Asia.
Even Toyota, long considered resilient to parts-related production issues, has been forced to idle operations at some plants.
The carmaker said last week it was unlikely to reach its goal of making 9 million vehicles for the fiscal year ending March.
“Delivery time of four to five years is odd, and would normally prompt increased production, but currently without the parts, it can’t be helped,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida.
The rugged Land Cruiser, already popular in the US and Middle East for its off-road capabilities, is also benefiting from an outdoor camping boom in Japan amid the pandemic.
Car dealerships are asking buyers to sign pledges saying they aren’t purchasing the SUV for resale purposes, according to Hashimoto.
Japanese used-car website Carsensor.net had previously shown the new Land Cruiser model being sold for around 15 million yen (US$132 000), compared with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of around 5 million to 8 million yen, including tax. — Bloomberg.
