Motor industry giant, Toyota, has warned customers in Japan that they will have to wait for up to four years to take delivery of its new Land Cruiser SUV.

The world’s biggest carmaker says the delay is not related to the global chip shortage or the supply chain crisis. However, it refused to comment on the reasons behind the long delivery time.

Toyota disclosed on its website that when a customer orders for the vehicle now, it could take as long as four years to get it delivered. The company further apologised to customers of the company around the world.

“As Land Cruiser is very popular, not just in Japan but around the world, we apologise it is expected to take a long time before we can deliver the product.

“There is a possibility it could take up to four years if you order now. We will continue to shorten the delivery time and we appreciate your understanding.”
Toyota

The company also rubbished the idea of linking the new delay to the shortage of chips. It said, “This delay is not related to current semiconductor shortage or supply chain issue.”

According to marketing analysts, there have been strong demand for the new model of the Land Cruiser and that Toyota is considering ramping up production in the medium and long-term.

Launched in 1951, the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest-selling vehicle. In recent months – like many of its rival car makers including General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Daimler, BMW and Renault – the firm has been forced to cut vehicle production.

Meanwhile, Toyota stated that it is slowing production up to 11 plants in Japan due to rising COVID-19 infections among its workers and at parts suppliers.

That comes on top of reductions planned for February that were announced earlier. Those reductions will be on various days at eight of its 14 plants in Japan, including assembly lines making the Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models.

In December last month, Toyota announced that it would extend stoppages at some of its factories in Japan as it continued to feel the impact of supply chain issues.

“Production in January will be reduced by 47,000 vehicles, when accounting for the latest changes. For the fiscal year through March, production will now fall short of the 9 million vehicles targeted, despite healthy demand for Toyota offerings. All manufacturers are scrambling to secure the tight chips supply, worsening the crunch.”
Toyota

The firm noted that its components factories in South East Asia had faced disruptions due to the pandemic, with Land Cruiser and Lexus production being hit by the delays.

Earlier last year, the company indicated it would slash its worldwide vehicle production by 40% in September because of the chip shortage.

As a result of the new decision by Toyota, the company’s shares were around 2.7% lower in Tokyo trade on Friday, January 21, 2022.

The latest announcement came after a surge in cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Japan since the start of this year.