Manufacturers aren’t producing semiconductors necessary for many vehicle functions quickly enough, but you can still buy your ideal car if you get creative.
Key takeaways
- The global semiconductor shortage is causing problems for car manufacturers
- The result is fewer vehicles available for buyers
- This shortage could last until 2023
- It’s still possible to buy the want you want if you’re willing to get creative
If you’ve attempted to purchase a new vehicle over the last couple of years, you might have noticed less inventory. This shortage has trickled down to the used-vehicle market, as many buyers are settling for pre-owned models when they can’t find new vehicles they want.
This lack of inventory happened because car manufacturers are struggling to fulfill demand because of a global semiconductor-chip shortage. These chips power many vehicle features: power windows, infotainment systems, backup cameras, and emergency-braking systems.
This car-chip shortage has left many vehicles sitting on the assembly line waiting for parts to arrive. Manufacturers are also releasing popular models without certain features.
Of course, vehicle shoppers are wondering: when will chips be available for automotive manufacturing? The shortage could last well into 2023, but it’s still possible to find the vehicle you want if you’re willing to expand your search.
Here’s how you can find your ideal vehicle, despite the chip shortage.
About the chip shortage
Semiconductor-chip production is intricate. In fact, it’s incredibly complex, with each chip taking over three months to create.
Chip manufacturers need massive, dust-free facilities, in addition to expensive, specialized equipment. As a result, few global locations are equipped to make these semiconductors.
When the CoViD-19 pandemic hit, chip manufacturers shut down for months to stop the spread of the virus in their facilities. This slowdown in production decreased manufacturing; the industry has yet to recover.
Semiconductor chips are used everywhere: cell phones, computers, refrigerators, washing machines, and nearly every other convenience of modern life. There aren’t enough to go around, and car manufacturers are waiting in line, slowing global production.
Lack of available inventory
The lack of available semiconductor chips eventually led to a lack of new vehicle inventory. Car lots worldwide lack certain models because manufacturers don’t have the parts to finish production. For example, Toyota produced about 25,000 fewer vehicles in North America in February 2022 alone, while GM cut features like heated seats from some of its most popular cars and trucks.
Estimates suggest that Ford’s sales declined by 1.25 million units in 2021, Volkswagen’s fell by 1.15 million, and GM and Toyota lost 1.1 million.
The vehicle-production drop triggered the sales drop, not consumers’ willingness to buy. Buyers are left scrambling to find the makes and models they want.
How to find your car
Get creative with your search if you’re set on purchasing a specific vehicle during the chip shortage. You might consider used vehicles instead of buying new ones. The problem? Used-vehicle inventories are also low because many consumers are going this route. Finding your ideal vehicle locally could be a challenge.
Another option is shopping for your car out-of-state. Expanding your search area gives you a better chance of locating a specific vehicle at a palatable price. Start with an online search. Looking at dealerships nationwide creates thousands of possibilities and provides some leverage as you negotiate the price.
Once you locate the right car at an acceptable price, you’ll have to get it home. Some buyers fly to finalize the purchase and drive their new vehicle home, but there is a faster, easier, and possibly more cost-effective way: auto transport.
The car-shipping experience
Shipping your vehicle to your home sounds like a hassle, but it’s surprisingly simple. The gist: finalize your purchase, hire a carrier to deliver the car from the dealership to your house or a nearby terminal.
This process eliminates booking a flight or begging a friend or relative to drive you to another part of the country. You won’t have to drive your new car a long distance, putting it at risk of damage and paying sky-high gas prices.
Finding a reputable car shipper can be challenging, especially if you search without assistance. However, car-shipping brokers can help you arrange transport, eliminating guesswork and ensuring your chosen carrier is licensed, insured, and vetted.
Your car shipping broker
Car-shipping brokers are excellent resources; they’ll post your request within their network and provide quotes. This approach is far easier than searching hundreds of carriers online because it streamlines your search. It’s also very likely to save you some money.
Mercury Auto Transport is a car-shipping broker in business since 2007. Our extensive network of carriers, including all national dispatch boards, allows us to quickly provide you with quotes once we have your information. Once you accept an offer, we guarantee your price. Contact Mercury Auto Transport today for more information or to receive a quote.
