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2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series and Kluger Hybrid still on track despite global supply issues and delays in RAV4 Hybrid

Toyota’s new-generation Kluger is still planned to hit showrooms in June this year. (Image credit: William Vicente)

Toyota Australia believes it is on track to expand its new-vehicle line-up in 2021 – with the new Kluger Hybrid and expected LandCruiser 300 Series – as planned, despite complications in the global supply chain.

The origins are attributed to the waves of COVID-19 bouts that have sent vehicle assembly lines onto a roller-coaster schedule, while supply of electronic parts, specifically semi-conductors that number up to 3500 for each car, stagnates.

Speaking to CarsGuide, a Toyota spokesperson said 2020’s issues are still plaguing supply this year, and that the increased demand for new cars is putting a strain on the brand’s ability to delivery vehicles to customers in a timely fashion.

“This year will have some challenges too, particularly as COVID-19 enters new phases,” they said.

“Overall demand for new vehicles and accessories – both globally and in Australia – is recovering much faster than anticipated, and we are experiencing a global increase in demand across high volume models, including HiLux and LandCruiser models.

“Although our plants are increasing capacity, we are anticipating that wait times for high-demand models, service parts and some accessories may be longer than usual in the coming months.

“Our dealers will continue to provide updates to our customers on vehicle delivery timeframes.”

Toyota Australia wouldn’t say how long models were delayed, but dealers and customers said the RAV4 Hybrid was still giving customers the longest wait of up to five months, while the HiLux and Prado were out to four months, depending on specification and trim orders.

Regardless, it is believed that Toyota Australia will still be able to roll-out its new-generation Kluger next month, which will be available with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain for the first time.

However, given the popularity of the smaller-sized RAV4 Hybrid, there could be a long wait time before customers can get their hands on some grades.

Likewise, the yet-to-be-revealed LandCruiser 300 Series is also expected to be revealed some time later this year, and given the appetite for Toyota’s large off-road SUV (sales of the current 200 Series are up 87.9 per cent this year compared to the same period in 2020), a long wait list is also expected.

The new GR 86 sports car has also been revealed, and could land in showrooms before the end of 2021, but with the first-gen model selling out at launch, there could again be a wait list for this new model.

Toyota however, isn’t alone in struggling to find supply to meet consumer demand, as customers of almost all car brands face wait lists for desirable models.

But the situation will improve, according to the peak automotive body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), who told CarsGuide it is working with all car brands to clear bottle necks holding back deliveries.

Despite the stock shortages though, the Australian automotive industry has bounced back from last year’s lows, and after four months of trading is up 30.7 per cent (to 344,995 units) compared to the same period in 2020.