[Markr]

We have just opened up our company car ordering again recently, and finding that the chip shortage is adding at least 10 weeks to most manufacturers factory order lead times. There is some physical stock around, but up to the drivers whether they are flexible to spec and colour or not.

On the higher end, low volume cars, allocation is pre determined, so dealers are glad of customer orders and will spec amend a pipeline vehicle prior to it being locked, so that they are not stuck with a dealer spec’d showroom model to shift as a pre-reg. if you have a friendly dealer, you can play the system together and save lots of money.

On the volume side, especially non-German, demand is high and they are feeling the chip shortage to a greater degree. We had one manufacturer bounce an order, as all physical stock is sold, and all 2021 UK allocation marked as sold, so can’t even take an order until late 2021, when they have visibility of 2022 allocation.

Talking to VW earlier today, they are expecting the chip shortage to ease early Q4, but not hearing the same from any others yet.