Toyota Australia provides update on stock shortages due to production pause

Toyota Australia has sought to clarify its current position after the company's global operations announced a number of production pauses throughout September and October.

Currently grappling with the worldwide semiconductor shortage, nearly all models offered by Toyota locally have been impacted by the plant shutdowns – pushing back deliveries of stock for up to 10 months.

While Australia's top-selling automotive manufacturer believes one-third of its models will be delayed by four months or less, up to three-quarters of its range could be postponed by as much as six months, with the LandCruiser 70 Series and RAV4 Hybrid bearing the brunt of the production stoppage, being pushed back by at least nine months.

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Toyota's Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, confirmed wait times to local media, with the LandCruiser 300 Series becoming the talking point given its delayed Australian arrival and 10,000-plus expressions of interest.

Hanley confirmed Toyota was not producing any right-hand drive LC300s across its plants throughout September and October, potentially pushing back the first arrivals to just before Christmas if production resumes in November, however this won't be known until further clarity is provided from the Japanese company towards the end of the month.

Despite the delays in production to customers, a range of LC300s have arrived in Australia for deliveries to dealers as demonstrator vehicles, providing those who have pre-ordered a chance to see it in the metal for the first time. The caveat being however that dealers are being reminded to not sell their demonstrators as a part of Toyota's six-month retention period.

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The carmaker would not disclose the details as to which models will be affected the most with regards to the plant shutdowns, saying it wouldn't confirm the vehicles likely to be delayed by four months compared to six, but it did point out none would be prioritised for production over others – stating every customer is equal, no matter the profit margin.

There is also no specific characteristic or equipment which is causing the production delays, as Hanley said Australia's high demand for hybrid models led to the electrified range being naturally affected.

Hanley also unequivocally denied any of Toyota's models would be de-specced to get around the semiconductor shortage, not willing to sacrifice any existing features or quality to deliver vehicles to customers.

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Looking at its long-term plans, Toyota still aims to introduce the Corolla Cross and bZ4x towards the end of 2022, with the current production issues not hampering the launch plans of either vehicle at this stage.

The best-selling HiLux has so far been unaffected by the plant closures, staying in production throughout the last two months to lead Toyota's charge to the top of the Australian sales chart with 4470 units sold throughout August, helping the manufacturer to reach 156,555 total sales to the end of August.

Despite the shortages of supply, Toyota has recorded its best sales to the end of the third quarter since 2008, reporting an additional 20,107 sales in September which boosts its 2021 year-to-date total to 176,661.

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Hanley closed by apologising to Toyota's customers for the delays and inconvenience, hoping for the situation to be resolved in the near future.

"Toyota understands your frustration, and I sincerely apologise for these delays," said Hanley.

"I want to thank you for your patience and assure you we are doing everything we can to get you behind the wheel of your new Toyota as soon as possible."