We went through that this year and it was a nightmare.
We buy a new one about every decade and we were due. We wanted a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk as it is one of the few these days that we can tow, four down, behind our motorhome. When we went into the dealership there wasn’t one there nor was there one anywhere in 500 miles from us, so we ordered one.
They told us it would take six weeks to get in, but it took seven months to get it. We checked on the status every few weeks and every time they told me it would be in in two weeks. Either they had no idea what the status was or just lied to us. While waiting for it, I kept a look of the inventory of all dealerships in New Mexico for a Trailblazer and only saw one came up, an orange one. That wouldn’t work.
It was a very strange year buying a car. The lots are empty, even for used cars.
I suspect this chip shortage is going to kill off more new car dealerships than Bush’s auto bail out.
they can’t survive on their service bays alone. especially when their shop rate is 30-40% higher than independent shops (at least around here that is the difference) and parts are becoming hard to get (tires, batteries, its all becoming slim pickings).
contrary to what the dealer wants you to think, your 10 year old car does not have to be serviced at the dealer.
your 10 day old one doesn’t either.