Due to the worldwide shortage of semiconductor microchips, Jaguar Land Rover has paused production of its new Defender 4X4. This is causing great disruption within the factory in Slovakia as they are scheduled to make 150,000 of the off-roaders a year. To add to the production interference, the defender is already subject to delivery waiting times of up to a year since it was first released in 2019.
Manufacturers in all related industries have been affected by the shortage of semiconductor chips, which was still occurring pre-pandemic. As advanced automotive technology is becoming more appealing to customers, so is the demand for chips. Semiconductor microchips make up for many aspects of the latest models, from digital displays to engine management. Many automotive manufactures shut their facilities during lockdown, which promoted chip makers to switch production to produce an alternative profitable product, causing a lack in chips being manufactured. It has been reported that nearly 100,000 customers are currently waiting for Jaguar Land Rover deliveries due to the supply shortage. However, customers who have purchased the Jaguar Land Rover’s Defender with plug-in hybrid powertrain are said to have been impacted most with longer delays.
Chief financial officer Adrian Mardell said: ‘It’s the result of the supply side,’ he said in a statement to investors regarding JLR’s quarterly earnings. ‘Expect those order books to normalize in six, nine- or 12-months’ time,’
