Toyota to reveal true scope of stock shortage crisis as delays run into 2022 – UPDATE

BREAKING NEWS, 30 September 2021: Toyota Australia has issued a media alert ahead of an industry briefing later this week, with plans to outline exactly which of its models are affected by chronic stock shortages – and when Australian customers can expect to take delivery of their vehicles.

An invitation sent to media says in part: "Car makers around the world are faced with challenges due to COVID-19 restrictions and the supply of semiconductors generally.

"Toyota Australia vice president sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley, wishes to update (the industry) and answer questions about the situation regarding Toyota, our dealers, and our customers."

The Toyota Australia executive is due to address media on the morning of Friday 1 October 2021; an embargo on publishing the information from that briefing has been set for 2pm that day. Please check back with Drive at that time for a detailed report.

Our original story published on 28 September 2021 – which focused on the chronic stock shortages affecting the Toyota HiLux, Australia's top-selling vehicle – appears below:

The handbrake is about to be pulled on the Toyota HiLux ute – Australia’s top-selling vehicle for the past five years in a row.

The workhorse turned weekend warrior is the latest vehicle to fall victim to a chronic shortage of semiconductors that is crippling the global automotive industry.

After losing about half of the planned production for the Toyota HiLux at the Thailand factory this month, Toyota Australia has advised dealers of further assembly line slowdowns over the next two months.

It means customers who order a new Toyota HiLux today may not be able to take delivery until the start of next year – or after the end of the summer holidays.

Toyota dealers have been advised by Toyota head office to not promise customers delivery dates, because current estimates are so fluid due to the semiconductor shortage and the impact of the pandemic on factory workers.

A number of Toyota dealers, speaking to Drive on condition of anonymity, said they expected showroom supplies of the Toyota HiLux to be exhausted in the coming months.

Toyota Australia has reportedly advised: “We suggest dealers proceed with caution when committing to delivery times”.

Despite the grim outlook, the Japanese car giant is optimistic it will be able to make up lost ground late this year or early next year, in an attempt to minimise disruptions to customers.

Toyota is experienced in dealing with interruptions to production caused by stoppages at parts suppliers, having learned to recover from floods and earthquakes in the region over the past decade.

Toyota was largely shielded from semiconductor shortages for much of 2021, however it is now dealing with the same restrictions as the rest of the automotive industry after exhausting its stockpile of critical parts.

Despite the severe stock shortage, the Toyota HiLux is on track to become Australia’s top-selling vehicle for the sixth year in a row, though the production slowdown is expected to enable the arch rival Ford Ranger to close the gap.