We know it has been a short while since your most recent update on your vehicle and wanted to give you a bit more background into why it is taking a bit longer than usual for your car to arrive.
You may have seen in the media recently that there have been delays with motor manufacturers due to a global shortage with semiconductors, which is largely to blame for the delays and extended lead times we are experiencing.
Here are some FAQs to simplify this for you to explain what it means for you and your car:
What is a semiconductor?
Whatever device you are seeing this email on, it will be using at least one semiconductor. Pretty much all modern electrical items will use them.
In slightly more detail, semiconductor devices are the home for transistors and diodes, which are the brains of computer chips. Semiconductors mean electricity can flow through devices, allowing them to operate, and then usefully do things for us.
In 2018 there were more than 1,000 billion semiconductors shipped. That’s almost 150 semiconductors for each person on earth – just in 1 year!
Why is there a shortage?
Because of the global pandemic almost EVERYTHING has been affected. As there have been fewer opportunities to go out and do things, lots of people have been buying more tech. Some have been buying new computer equipment for working at home, iPad for those valuable zoom pub quizzes and plenty more people got into gaming with both the new Xbox and Playstation making an appearance in last 12 months.
Companies that make the semiconductors have been affected like all companies, factories haven’t been able to work the same, and the social distancing element has hugely cut production as not as many people can work. Therefore, supply has been limited.
Sadly, car manufacturers have been put to the back of the queue when waiting for these chips. Major tech giants like Apple and Samsung will be getting the most due to the sheer volume they order. For example, Apple spend more than 50 billion dollars a year on them whilst Toyota spend 4 billion. It makes economic sense to give Apple priority.
When am I likely to get my car?
So, the bit you really want to know, right? When will I get my car? Usually, we are given a build-week for your car quite quickly. This is no longer happening. Manufacturers are working on a basis that they will provide us with a build-week and build your car the following week.
Normally, we would have confirmation 4 weeks prior to confirmation of this build-week and guide you through the transition from in transit from the factory, to the port of exit, shipping and arrival at the UK port.
With the changes, vehicles, once built, tend to take anything from 4-12 weeks to arrive in the UK, depending where they are built in the world.
We know this isn’t the answer you want, or we want to give you, but cars are very much still in production and your car will be built. They are just taking much longer than normal.
The situation is changing quickly and very much out of control. The good news us that you’re in the que and your order is price protected*.
When will I be updated?
We have now started a text messaging service. You should have had a few messages from us by now. We are keeping in touch this way, so you know where we are. Once your vehicle has a build-slot, the delivery team will be in touch with more precise information via email.