Dealerships continue to cope with a lack of new vehicles on their lots according to the New Brunswick Automobile Dealers Association.
A shortage of microchips throughout most of 2021 has created disruptions in the supply chain.
Association president Ian Hatheway says each car manufacturer has been hit at different times.
“For the most part throughout the year, the dealers had a good, steady flow of retail orders that were pre-sold that were rolling in as the chips became available. I think overall the dealers have fared okay.”
Hatheway says microchip suppliers were forced to find other markets when manufacturing was halted at the start of the pandemic.
“There’s just not enough suppliers of the chips which they are already rectifying. Now, there seems to be more producers coming online,” he adds.
On the upside, Hatheway says the shortage of new vehicles has led to a stronger than normal used car market.
He notes dealers have been trying to keep their used car inventory higher to offset the shortages of new cars.
