A shortage of computer chips and the coronavirus pandemic have made major adjustments to the plans of the Japanese automobile corporation Toyota, which said on Thursday that customers will have to wait up to four years to receive their new Land Cruiser SUV.
While the company declined to comment on the reasons for the long delivery time, Toyota said it would suspend production at 11 plants in Japan due to an increase in Covid-19 infections among its workers and parts suppliers.
"Because the Land Cruiser is very popular not only in Japan but all over the world, we apologize that it is expected to be a long time before we can deliver the product," Toyota's website says. “Perhaps if you order it now, it could take up to four years. We will try our best to shorten the delivery time and we appreciate your understanding.”
Introduced in 1951, the Land Cruiser is Toyota's best-selling vehicle, with 10.6 million sold as of August last year.
In recent months, like many competing automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Daimler, BMW and Renault, the Japanese corporation has also been forced to cut car production. Last month, Toyota announced that it would be extending shutdowns at some of its plants in Japan as it continues to feel the impact of supply chain issues.
Earlier last year, the company said it would cut global car production by 40% in September due to chip shortages.
Toyota shares fell about 2.7% in Tokyo trading on Friday.
The latest announcement comes after a spike in Omicron coronavirus cases in Japan since the beginning of this year.
