ECONOMIC slowdown, market depression and shortage of automotive chips have caused the delivery time of some new cars to be extended, industry experts said.

They said car buyers will now have to wait up to nine months to take delivery of their new vehicles.

The longer waiting list is for popular models from carmakers such as Perodua, Toyota and Honda, they said.

Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia deputy president Teh Seng Hup said the situation is primarily caused by the shortage of automotive chips, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Economic problems are also a factor causing many carmakers to no longer produce new cars in large quantities,” Teh told The Malaysian Insight.

“Another possibility is that carmakers have launched electric vehicles according to business strategies and needs, and hence there will be no mass production of ordinary cars like before.”

Teh said not all brands of cars affected but only the popular models.

“For example, Perodua models are more economical, and it takes a long time to take delivery of a car that is popular with consumers,” he said.

“In the past, one can collect their new car around two to four weeks from the time of the order, but now, the wait is around two to three months.”

Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia president Tony Khor revealed that a buyer has to wait up to nine months before getting their hands on the best-selling model for Honda, which is its latest HR-V.

“There is also the Toyota Corolla Cross, where the waiting time is at least seven to eight months,” he said.

Khor said the increase in demand for these models is because they are newly launched and cost-effective.

He said global sales for these models have peaked, but claimed that the production is still slow, resulting in a shortage of supply.

“Many countries have closed their borders during the pandemic, so naturally there is not enough motivation in production,” he said.

“In any case, the countries have gradually resumed supply.

“Besides asking for special colours or requirements, other models have a relatively normal (waiting) cycle,” he said.

Second-hand market down

Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy president Dave Lim Keat Hin agrees that the longer waiting time affects only a few models of cars.

“If you buy a Perodua car now, you still have to wait a long time for a new car. Some consumers have waited for six months and still haven’t got their cars,” he said.

“However, if you buy a Proton car, there is always stock.”

Nevertheless, Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur and Selangor vice-president John Lee Puay Loong believes that the delivery time of new cars has improved recently, and major car dealers are gradually going back to the appropriate cycle.

He, however, said Perodua has the longest waiting time as it is one of the most-sought-after vehicles.

Asked whether the prolonged delivery time of new cars would ramp up second-hand car sales, Lee replied in the negative.

He said the economic slowdown has hit the used car market hard.

“Consumers now mainly look to buy economical cars. Even if the delivery time is slow, they are willing to wait,” he said. – August 3, 2023.