The global shortage of semiconductor chips is still a problem for the auto industry and is not likely to get better anytime soon, causing manufacturers to reduce their output. Toyota, on the other hand, has largely escaped the crisis unscathed. The Japanese automaker has been relying on a sizable chip supply to maintain manufacturing, but this stockpile is beginning to deplete.
We now know more about how this will influence the automaker’s production output in North America after Toyota stated this week that its global production will be lowered by 40% later this month.
According to Automotive News, Toyota would reduce output at all of its North American plants starting in the next month, with the exception of the San Antonio facility, which will make the 2022 Tundra’s successor. The Tacoma is also produced at this site.
Toyota Motor North America issued a statement stating that “due to COVID-19 and unanticipated events with our supply chain, Toyota is facing significant shortages that will impair production at majority of our North American factories.” “Our manufacturing and supply chain teams have painstakingly developed remedies to reduce the impact on production even though the situation is still fluid and complicated. At this point, we do not foresee any effects on employment.”
Toyota will build between 60,000 and 90,000 fewer automobiles in North America in August. In September, it’s anticipated that production would be reduced by 80,000 automobiles. Toyota manufactured 1.13 million automobiles in North America during the first seven months of 2021, although output was reduced by 65,000 vehicles in July.
With a 40% reduction in global output, Toyota anticipates losing 360,000 vehicles in September. Purchasing a car is now bad news as well. Dealers are putting exorbitant markups on new and used cars that are often reasonable because stocks are running short. For instance, a dealer raised the Mitsubishi Mirage’s MSRP from $14,295 to $24,000 last month, making it one of the country’s most cheap vehicles.
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Why are Toyota Tacomas so difficult to come by?
Those searching for a certain Toyota Tacoma have more options available to them.
For those searching for a midsize truck, this has been a difficult year. Particularly the Toyota Tacoma.
The manufacture of Toyota trucks is severely constrained by the car shortage, making it more challenging than ever to obtain the ideal Tacoma.
A 2021 Tacoma TRD Pro in Lunar Rock is one of the hardest cars to locate anyplace in the nation. The same is true for the 4Runner, Sequoia, and Lunar Rock Tundra.
For a 2021 Tacoma TRD Pro that was pre-ordered, many customers paid deposits and have been patiently waiting for months. Those who have not yet received their 2021 Tacoma will lose out because production is now complete.
What to do next is the question at hand. What should you do if a Toyota Tacoma in Lunar Rock is truly what you want?
Fortunately, there is new hope for 2022. Close to “Star Wars: A New Nope,” but not quite.
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma now offers Lunar Rock in a variety of trim levels.
Why aren’t new Toyota Tacomas available?
Toyota took advantage of the chance to address problems with full-size trucks when redesigning the Tundra for the third generation of its full-size pickup truck. However, Toyota might unintentionally have rendered its own Tacoma outdated in the process.
Why are midsize trucks preferred over full-size trucks? You could argue that this is because midsize trucks are more fuel-efficient, more comfortable on the road, and more capable off-road. Toyota’s most recent Tundra addresses all three of these issues.
First of all, Toyota developed a new fuel sipper in place of the Tundra’s inefficient normally aspirated V8. Every 2022 Tundra comes with a twin-turbocharged V6 in some form. Compared to the original V8, this engine can produce greater power and gets significantly better gas mileage. The Tacoma still has a higher efficiency rating, but only by roughly 1 mpg overall.
Toyota moved the 2022 Tundra to a chassis that is likewise used by the brand-new Land Cruiser 300. To reduce weight, this chassis uses a composite bed and a fully boxed frame. It also has optional air suspension and rear leaf springs that allow it to glide down the highway.
The new Tundra was also equipped with a variety of driving aids. These include the off-road driving aids that were formerly exclusive to the Tacoma. The Tundra has multi-terrain select (MTS), which uses its ABS to reduce wheel spin in conditions of low traction, and low-speed cruise control. Every model of the Tundra comes standard with lane-keep assist cruise control, automatic trailer backup, and 360-degree cameras.
Why are Toyota trucks in low supply?
During an online briefing, Kazunari Kamakura, an executive at the biggest automaker in the world, said, “Hitting the 9 million level is going to be incredibly challenging.” He continued that Toyota has no way of knowing how long the chip scarcity would remain.
Even while demand in important regions like China has increased, Toyota and other automakers have been compelled to reduce production. Car manufacturers have had to deal not just with chip shortages brought on by COVID-19 supply-chain problems, but also with growing semiconductor demand at consumer electronics firms.
The recent production projection did not take the rise in Omicron infections into account, but Toyota is still concerned about it, Kamakura added. The fiscal year for Toyota goes from April to March.
Last year, COVID-19 lockout limitations hindered the flow of components from Southeast Asian manufacturing facilities.
The manufacturer of the Corolla compact automobile announced that it will produce 700,000 vehicles globally in February, which is higher than last year but 150,000 fewer than originally anticipated.
Toyota would need to produce 1 million vehicles in March in order to meet its yearly production goal of 9 million, which was set in September.
Toyota projects a loss of between 25,000 and 30,000 automobiles in North America in February.
Tim Kelly handled reporting; Kirsten Donovan, Muralikumar Anantharaman, and Louise Heavens handled editing
Are Tacomas impacted by the scarcity of chips?
The Toyota Tacoma and Tundra are in high demand yet there are too few of them, which is driving up prices even as semiconductor chip supply is constrained across the board. The midsize and full-size pickup incentives that were once competitive have disappeared in some regions of the country, according to research released on Monday by CarsDirect. Buyers from California in particular won’t like it.
You might still be able to get a $1,000 refund on the Tacoma depending on where you live, but there are no longer any incentives for the Tundra. Instead, a somewhat pricey lease proposal is being considered for the full-size vehicle. In select areas, the Tacoma qualifies for a $179 monthly lease with a $3,000 down payment or a few financing options. However, this again depends on where you plan to buy a new Toyota pickup.
Buyers or lessees will pay significantly more for a Tacoma or Tundra compared to a competitive model with fewer incentives. There is currently only around a 25-day supply of Tacoma and Tundra models in the US, according to Cox Automotive, as a result of the chip shortage, which continues to hamper production for almost all automakers. That’s quite low for the auto business, which explains why there are no rebates.
As of now, it doesn’t seem like the impact of the shortage will abate anytime soon. The Biden administration is examining ways to bolster the US semiconductor chip supply chain, but any immediate action seems far off in the future. Buckle up for more expensive Toyota trucks and beyond in the interim.
How long will it take to get a brand-new Toyota Tacoma?
It might take a few more years until the Toyota Tacoma’s new fourth generation is released. Even though we’ve had the third-generation N300 model for a while, it’s great, but is 10 years too long to wait? We’re simply speculating; Toyota might reveal the new model in 2024 for all we know. With so few modifications and the rise of EVs, the automaker can, however, take its time. We are aware that the Japanese automaker is gradually moving toward electric vehicles. Do we have to wait for a Tacoma that can be recharged before we see a fresh design?
The third generation of Toyota’s most popular vehicle has arrived. The pickup won’t undergo significant alterations until the fourth generation. If the third-generation N300 is anything like the first two, Toyota should get roughly ten years out of it. If so, the earliest you could get a new Toyota Tacoma would be in 2026.
When will my Tacoma 2022 be ready?
The well-liked 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro is expected to start arriving at dealerships in March, according to Toyota. The majority will start to arrive toward the end of this month. Some have already been sent to a few fortunate dealers. Customers have a choice between Midnight Black Metallic, Electric Lime Metallic, Super White, and Magnetic Gray Metallic.
Will a new Tacoma be available in 2023?
Will a new Tacoma be available in 2023? No, according to Toyota, the Toyota Tacoma won’t get a new generation until the 2024 model year.
Do 2022 Tacomas exist?
There will be four new colors offered for the 2022 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 trail edition: Lunar Rock, Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic, and Super White. The 2022 Tacoma’s truck bed will have lockable storage compartments and a 120V power outlet. The external lettering and 16-inch wheels on the trail edition both have a bronze finish. Additionally made standard are a grille with a nod to the past and a trail edition badge on the back tailgate. The interiors also have black cloth upholstery with distinctive tan stitching, which gives it a sleek and classy appearance.
Why are Toyota showrooms vacant?
The COVID-19 pandemic knocked the automotive sector off balance, and it has been nearly impossible to get back on pace due to the continuous chip shortage. The epidemic and the chip scarcity have caused new vehicle stocks at dealerships to run out and vehicle prices to soar as a result.