Land Cruiser Customers in Japan Face Four-Year Wait

Automobile giant Toyota has warned its customers in Japan that they will have to wait up to four years to deliver the new Land Cruiser SUV.

The world's largest carmaker says the delay has nothing to do with the global chip shortage or the supply chain crisis.

However, it declined to comment on the reasons for the extended delivery time.

Meanwhile, Toyota has said it is slowing production at up to 11 plants in Japan because of rising COVID-19 infections among its workers and suppliers.

"As the Land Cruiser is popular not only in Japan but around the world, we apologise that it is expected to take a long time before we can deliver the product," Toyota said on its website.

"It may take up to four years if you order now. We will continue our efforts to shorten the delivery time, and thank you for your understanding."

The company also said, "This delay has nothing to do with the current semiconductor shortage or supply chain issues."

The Dubai Route has learned that demand for the new Land Cruiser model has been strong, and Toyota is considering ramping up production in the medium to long term.

Introduced in 1951, the Land Cruiser is Toyota's best-selling vehicle, with a total of 10.6 million sold as of August last year.

In recent months, the company - like many of its competitors, including General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Daimler, BMW and Renault - has been forced to cut vehicle production.

Last month, Toyota announced that it would extend work stoppages at some of its factories in Japan as the company continues to feel the impact of supply chain problems.

The company said its component plants in Southeast Asia had experienced disruptions due to the pandemic, with Land Cruiser and Lexus production affected by the delays.