Big empty car lots?
Blame it on the microchips Mad Markets Part 2 Lumber prices have more than doubled, getting that brand new vehicle can take weeks – even months, real estate is through the roof, and produce is top-dollar. What’s going on? The short answer is it’s the
pandemic. The long answer is a bit more complicated. We continue this four-part series on 2021’s crazy market with part two by looking at what happened to vehicle sales and what it takes to get a brand new truck in qathet.
SALESMAN’S WORST NIGHTMARE: Massullo Motors’ Scott Franklin says the customers are many, but the new vehicles are few. Photo by Isabelle Southcott
BY ISABELLE SOUTHCOTT
D
ean English began looking at trucks last fall. Like many new car buyers, he went online to figure out what he wanted before visiting the local dealer. “In mid-December I did a build online on GMC’s website,” said Dean. “I printed it off and emailed it to Scott.” Scott Franklin, Sales Manager for Massullo Motors in Powell River, received that order and tried to fill it. But because of a global shortage of semi-conductors, he was unable to place that order with GM, and, at press time in late June he was still not able to do so. “It’s frustrating for Dean,” said Scott,
who has been in the business for 27 years and never seen anything like this. “His order is just sitting there; GM cannot fill his driver alert package or the safety package on his new vehicle.” Having customers who want to buy but not having the cars to sell is a car salesman’s worst nightmare. But Scott says he is not alone. “All GM dealers are in the same boat.” The semiconductor or microchip shortage first hit the car sector in April of 2020 but has since spread to other industries. Like the tight supply and increased price of lumber, microchips have also been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic because of the enormous pressure put on supply chains for consumer electronics like
New inventory arriving soon! Thanks for shopping locally
massullomotors.com
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4493 Joyce Avenue
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Sales (866) 891-3020
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Service (866) 891-4237
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Parts (604) 485-7512
qathet LIVING • July 2021 •
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