Man who ordered new van says he's still waiting for delivery more than one year later
Supply chain issues and a computer chip shortage have affected the production of new vehicles and led to delays in deliveries to showrooms.
A Scarborough, Ont., man who put a down payment on a vehicle in November 2020 was told he would have to waits months for his new vehicle to arrive.
One year later, he said he is no closer to receiving it.
“I'm so disappointed. I’m so upset," said Samuel Chow, a retired postal employee who has been looking forward to having his new loaded 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle.
The pandemic, a computer chip shortage and the closure of some manufacturing plants due to COVID-19 has led to a backlog in new vehicle production.
Many dealerships are warning car buyers they could have to wait three to six months for their vehicles to be delivered, but Chow said after calling the dealership where he ordered his vehicle every month there is still no sign it will show up anytime soon.
“I've been told the vehicle will come and I’m still waiting. I’m very patient, but it's very inconvenient,” Chow said.
Complicating matters is that when he ordered his new van, not long after, he gave his current van to his daughter for her birthday.
Chow said his wife Sandra also has health issues and they need a vehicle to get her to her medical appointments.
“There are many doctor’s appointments and I always have to borrow a vehicle to get there. There is wheel trans, but they can't always get there on time," Chow said.
The Chrysler dealership has tried to work with Chow and offered him different vehicles they have in stock, but Chow says he doesn't want them.
He could now also receive a 2022 Pacifica model as the 2021 model year is no longer available which is fine with him, but he said he can’t wait much longer.
"Even if I get a 2021, I don't care as long as I get the vehicle that I ordered," Chow said.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Chrysler Canada about the year long delay in Chow receiving his vehicle and a spokesperson for Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, said, “Stellantis continues to work closely with our suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing our industry.”
Chow is holding out hope that one day he'll get his van and said, “I want my vehicle."
Some analysts in the automotive industry have said that supply chain issues could affect new car production for another year or longer.
If you order a new vehicle you may have to be flexible about the colour, trim level and even the model or you could also have to wait to get it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.