Many luxury models will have to wait 3-6 months; some have yet to confirm its returning schedule, despite customers paying extra.

For about a month, Trung Kien (33 years old), in Bac Ninh, had been looking for a luxury car at around 7 billion VND, but there was little available. He said that most of the luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus told him to wait 3-6 months, or even longer.

Scarcity is happening globally because of a serious shortage of components, especially in electronic chips. The higher the technology content, the less supply. The shortage of semiconductors, especially from China due to the pandemic, is the reason for the global shortage of chips.

According to dealers, luxury cars are currently in short supply because overseas factories give priority to fulfilling orders from major markets such as the US or Europe.

Mercedes-Benz luxury cars such as the new GLE, GLS, or S-class are having to wait from 3 months to over a year for Maybach versions. Some models like the V-class do not have a specific return time.

C-class has only sold imported versions, while assembled units are expected to be delivered to customers at the beginning of the third quarter. The remaining two assembly lines, E-class and GLC, are in short supply. Customers must wait 1-2 months to receive a car. Depending on the number of options and vehicle color, the waiting time may be longer.

Dealers still accepts deposits from customers, but warns them about cars being out of stock due to a lack of chips, making it difficult to determine the exact delivery date. Vinh Nam, a luxury car sales expert in Ho Chi Minh City, said that customers have gradually gotten used to the current car supply situation. “Their priority now is what car to buy rather than what car to choose, or what color,” he added.

BMW has to wait for the X7 for 3-6 months. Some models like the X3 or series 5 are scarcer: there are no colors available to choose from, but some versions still have cars for delivery. The German luxury brand has a fairly stable supply despite all are imported. But about a month ago, that supply was thinner, with fewer colors and versions.

Lexus, the Japanese luxury brand, currently has the longest waiting period, nearly a year. The newly launched LX600 has to wait until mid-2023, or the RX about 3 months. Some other models still have cars for delivery, but that relies on the color and version like IS or ES.

With Porsche, Land Rover, car companies selling customized car options, customers will have a longer waiting time. Previously, the waiting period was 6-9 months, now it can be extended to 12-14 months.

Audi waiting time is at 2-4 months for Q5, the remaining models like Q7, A4 … are deliverable, but depends on color and version. The lack of chips also causes some cars to return to Vietnam with a of options as desired by customers. Some can be added later, but some equipment will have to be installed from the beginning.

In addition, some car manufacturers that import mid-range brands such as Jeep are not affected much due to low sales. The waiting time depending on options still lasts for 3-6 months. In the group of high-end cars of mass brands, Toyota Land Crusier LC300 has a waiting period of up to over a year, and there is no specific delivery schedule.

Having to wait for a long time also makes many customers impatient, the number of car deposits is therefore only about half to two thirds compared to last year for most brands. Some dealers even actively reject orders and customer’s deposit. In addition, non-genuine vehicles are also an option.

Some private importers, taking advantage of the lack of cars, actively brought hot models such as Mercedes G63 or GLS, LX600 to serve customers. However, prices have also been pushed up due to higher costs, and the waiting time is also longer than before, from 4-6 weeks.

The shortage of components also leads to a disadvantage for customers. In addition to the lack of deliverable vehicles, some automakers such as Lexus or Mercedes increased their selling prices while BMW cut promotions. Toyota Land Crusier LC300 was met with a peak inflation of up to VND 1.5 billion for instant delivery.

This shortage of goods occurs not only in imported luxury car business but also in assembled and imported mass cars. Domestic car manufacturers such as Hyundai, Thaco, and VinFast are all lacking components. Most companies are unable to comment on when the supply will be stable again.

Source: vnexpress.net