Warrnambool dealerships say the delays on new cars will continue through 2021

Callaghan Motors' general sales manager Paul Hepburn said most manufacturers were in the same boat when it came to wait times for buyers.

He said their brands came from Korea, Germany and America and there were delays from all three countries. Mr Hepburn said once vehicles arrived in Australia they all faced time in quarantine.

He said fortunately vehicles could be swapped between the dealership network which helped alleviate some of the wait times. "That's a daily we're doing that," he said.

"The factories have been really good." He said the delays would probably continue for another six months.

Mr Hepburn said customers were getting used to the delays because it was happening in more and more industries.

He said in his 30 years in the car industry he'd never seen the wait times as lengthy.

He said the delays started in the second half of 2020.

Warrnambool Toyota's Matthew Burgess said there had been delays across the board but especially with their hybrid vehicles.

He said the delays can be anywhere between four to eight months. "For us it's purely and simply supply and demand," he said.

"We've got as many as we previously have but the majority are snapped up before they get here. People are prepared to wait, it's the new normal."

Norton Motor Group principal dealer Marcus Norton said the dealership was experiencing varying delays with all brands.

"The semiconductor shortage is causing all vehicle manufacturers headaches and unfortunately it appears this won't improve until next year," he said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: