The car chip shortage and vehicle shortage: What you need to know

 If you've been shopping for a car lately, you know that vehicles are in high demand and short supply. Finding the right car takes a little more legwork than it used to, and you may even find yourself having to preorder it and wait for it to be delivered. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain the car chip shortage and subsequent vehicle shortage, why they're happening, and what it means for you and your next Toyota. 

First, let's talk about the car chip shortage. 

The car chip shortage can be blamed on COVID (like so many other things). Basically, car chips are tiny semiconductors or microchips and they serve as the brain of all modern electronics (they're basically used in everything, which means they're in high demand all the time). Here's what happened: 

• These chips may be tiny, but they're pretty complex at even the most basic level and take anywhere from 12-20 weeks to build just one. On top of that, there are only a handful of plants that produce them (and opening new plants isn't an easy solution - it takes years and billions of dollars to open even one). 
• Modern cars use quite a few car chips to run all of the high-tech features we love for entertainment, convenience, safety, and more. That means they're especially in high demand in the automotive industry. 
• COVID-19 caused shutdowns and quarantines, which means it not only closed the plants that make these car chips, but also delayed shipping on a global level. This set back volume production and also meant it took much longer to get the chips shipped and delivered. 
• On top of that, COVID threw automakers for a loop. When shutdowns and quarantines hit hard in March of 2020, automakers predicted that demand for cars would drop. This means they produced fewer vehicles and also ordered fewer car chips. However, the drop in demand was temporary and shot back up pretty quickly, leaving automakers short on both cars AND car chips (and the car chip industry struggling to meet demands). 

So, when will the car chip shortage be over? The answer - unfortunately - isn't really clear. Some are predicting that by the end of 2022 the industry will be able to normalize and get back to where it was; others are saying it won't be back to normal until 2023. We really don't know when it'll all be back to normal but here's what we do know at Toyota of Orlando: 

• We still have trucks full of new Toyotas arriving every single day so even if you don't see what you want on our lot, it might be on its way. 
• You can see ALL of our inventory online, even the cars that are in-transit and on their way to the dealership. 
• If you can't find what you want, our sales specialists can help you find it. Just pop by, sit down with them, and they can order you what you need. 

Find your next new Toyota at Toyota of Orlando 

Don't let the vehicle shortage or the car chip shortage stress you out - call Toyota of Orlando today and let us help you find the right car for you! We're open seven days a week until 10pm at (407) 298-4500. You can also drop in at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.