car sales are at a standstill

A couple living near Bordeaux (Gironde) is struggling to find the car of their dreams. “Right now, there are fewer and fewer. (…) There is almost no stock on the dealers”, says the buyer. Delivery times are getting longer, sometimes reaching a year and a half for certain models. In Pontoise (Val-d’Oise), Pierre Jallu-Berthier, car dealer at Courtoise Distribution, confirms having “delivered fewer cars”for lack of available models.

Shortages affect certain spare parts. Mickaël Vella, after-sales manager, confirms to wait “for almost four months” to do work on a vehicle. The Covid-19 first forced electronics factories to close in China. For several weeks now, the war in Ukraine has caused other supply difficulties. Ukraine provides essential raw materials, such as precious metals for batteries, or rare gases, used for electronic chips.