Purchase of a vehicle | Take a number!

Toyota Canada Vice-President and General Secretary Stephen Beatty won’t say a word. During the media launch of the bZ4X electric utility a few days ago, he refused to reveal the number of units expected in Canada. “I won’t give any numbers, but I will only answer this: if anyone is interested in this vehicle, I would recommend that they let their local Toyota dealer know immediately. »

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

The advice applies to all consumers. Many are already dealing with these extended deadlines. Already, some of them prefer to postpone their purchase for several months.

Everyone knows by now that the pandemic has resulted in a cascade of unpleasant events. For the automotive industry, these can be summarized roughly as follows: delayed parts supply, assembly line shutdowns and restarts, shortage of semiconductors, not to mention the logistical difficulties associated with transporting vehicles.

The lure of electric

But this gigantic puzzle cannot be put together without also taking into account the energy transition and the pressure exerted by certain legislation to accelerate it. A situation that has led many manufacturers to favor certain markets over others. Admittedly, balance has rarely been achieved.

Here, the bZ4x, for example. This model, whose career will begin in June, will only be offered, in its first year of marketing, to consumers in Quebec and British Columbia. The rest of the country? He will have to wait until next year. Note that the Japanese manufacturer had used the same strategy when launching the Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime. A subject to which we will return in more detail with the publication of our special report on electric vehicles, on April 18.

The pressure is also exerted on dealers who blacken, without knowing it, their order book of consumers whose names are already registered elsewhere. A common practice, according to several dealers and manufacturers contacted by The Press.

Alexandre (he prefers his last name not to be mentioned for obvious reasons), for example, is currently on the waiting list of four Volkswagen establishments.

“For each of them, I deposited the $1,000 required to acquire an ID.4. ” The delivery time ? ” I do not really know. A year, maybe more. I’m in the dark, no dealer advances a date cast in concrete, but I remain convinced that I will have it faster. »

Opportunity leaps

Unable to afford a new vehicle within the time deemed reasonable, thousands of motorists are turning to second-hand vehicles, where prices, alas, are skyrocketing.

According to Yves Varin, national director of Black Book, “consumers today pay an average of 15% too much for a good that will continue to devalue”. He suggests delaying the purchase for a few months. “In the fall, the market should be more stable,” he predicts.