February 2022 New Car Wait Times: Part 1

Following the launch of our new car delivery date estimator, you can now stay informed regarding all the delays and wait times affecting the Australian new car market. 

Whether you are in the market for a specific model, or keeping your options open, our handy tool will provide you with a comprehensive snapshot of wait times by brand, model, state, and even vehicle body type.

In addition, we are delighted to bring to you this monthly piece that wraps up all the latest movements across the market, helping you improve your new car buying experience by responding to the latest developments. After all, not everyone has the patience to wait more than 200 days for a new car!

On that note, here are the key developments from February.

New car market wait time

The average wait time for a new car across the nation rose by six days in February, ending the month at a high of 124 days. That’s right, on average, an order placed now won’t arrive until early July.

That figure is almost double that of a year ago, when average delivery delays across the new car market were 64 days. It also disrupted what looked like a potential moderation in the accelerating pace of delay times, with January previously suggesting a peak may have been near.

However, February saw ongoing complications with respect to component shortages, particularly microchips. Meanwhile, the outbreak of war in Ukraine late in the month is another constraint that may soon have an impact as the country supplies more than 70% of neon gas around the world, a key element used to manufacture semiconductors, and a byproduct of Russian steel production.

Makes and models with the longest wait times

The hardest-hit brand in terms of wait times is Isuzu, with the auto-maker feeling the effects of the global semiconductor shortage. Wait times continue to grow, up 37 days in February to an average of more than 200 days. Compared with three months ago, the average delay is up 23%, and when benchmarked against six months ago, delays have increased 90%. The top-spec variants of both the MU-X and D-Max are feeling the squeeze most.

Kia’s delivery woes are being driven by issues in securing components for the Stonic, Sorento, Carnival and Stinger, albeit there was some improvement in wait times for the Seltos during February.

Toyota is the other high-profile name worth pointing out. The sheer popularity of its models means that the Japanese auto-maker has had problems keeping up with demand, especially as component issues have weighed on production out of Japan, hurting the RAV4 and LandCruiser.

In terms of models, wait times for the Toyota RAV4 have blown out to more than 250 days, with the popularity of the SUV outweighing an increase in production. The hybrid variants in particular have been a drag on the model’s wait times, and this has played a big role in a slump in sales for the RAV4 over recent months.

It’s a not too dissimilar story for the Kia Sorento, with the PHEV variant subject to even lengthier delays than the average across the line-up. This is directly attributable to the model’s popularity in Europe, as well as the fact that Kia has assigned more of its PHEVs for markets with stronger emissions laws.

Meanwhile, wait times are building for the likes of the Volkswagen Passat, after sales of its sedan were dropped to private buyers at the start of the year, the Kia Carnival, which is dealing with component shortages, and the Nissan Patrol, following a major cut-back in production late last year.

Meanwhile, wait times for Peugeot and Jeep are among those that have skyrocketed over the last three months, up 147% and 107% respectively. You are now looking at an average delivery wait time of 156 days and 125 days for the duo, and the biggest contributors to those figures are supply constraints concerning the Peugeot Expert van and the Jeep Wrangler. 

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