New car lead times - Spec protection
Discussion
Seems a popular subject again, or I have noticed it because I am expecting one...
I thought things were back to normalish, still seemingly longer than it was but not quite the year plus waiting times at one point.
I have ordered a new Nissan X-Trail e-4orce e-power Tekna which I think might be an unpopular specification, anyway due to myself not asking the question clearly and a bit of only answer whats asked from the dealer saw me sign up to a 4 - 6 month delivery time. Which might have impacted my decision if I hadn't already got excited about it, but in the grand scheme of things doesn't seem that unreasonable. The dealer intimated it may come sooner as manufacturers were being overly pessimistic to protect themselves.
We get to today, just over 2 months in and the dealer hasn't given me a build date but I get marketing e-mails from Nissan saying it's happening and the car is getting closer (natty little animation). I contacted Nissan support and they stated likely December arrival which is more like 10 months, but the e-mail smacked of automated response.
I realise I am at the mercy of whatever supply chain issues or woeful stock management system is in place, but what I am interested in is can I do anything to protect myself to changes in specification etc given the time to deliver seems to be getting longer? I m lucky I suppose as the model has only just been released so it is unlikely to change in anyway, but interested to know if I have any options.
I thought things were back to normalish, still seemingly longer than it was but not quite the year plus waiting times at one point.
I have ordered a new Nissan X-Trail e-4orce e-power Tekna which I think might be an unpopular specification, anyway due to myself not asking the question clearly and a bit of only answer whats asked from the dealer saw me sign up to a 4 - 6 month delivery time. Which might have impacted my decision if I hadn't already got excited about it, but in the grand scheme of things doesn't seem that unreasonable. The dealer intimated it may come sooner as manufacturers were being overly pessimistic to protect themselves.
We get to today, just over 2 months in and the dealer hasn't given me a build date but I get marketing e-mails from Nissan saying it's happening and the car is getting closer (natty little animation). I contacted Nissan support and they stated likely December arrival which is more like 10 months, but the e-mail smacked of automated response.
I realise I am at the mercy of whatever supply chain issues or woeful stock management system is in place, but what I am interested in is can I do anything to protect myself to changes in specification etc given the time to deliver seems to be getting longer? I m lucky I suppose as the model has only just been released so it is unlikely to change in anyway, but interested to know if I have any options.
Seen a few posts from people who were waiting on cars when the spec they ordered became unavailable. Sometimes it was that the original 'entry level' vehicle is replaced with something that has more tech as standard and comes at a premium, I remember there was someone who had ordered a few add-ons including active cruise control and the manufacturer then moved ACC in to part of another 'pack' that couldn't be purchased individually.
The long and short of it is that it all depends on the quality of your dealer, if they're unable to deliver what you ordered and signed for then you'll be entitled to a full refund but that still leaves you with a car. Some dealers might offer to suck up the difference or split the cost difference with you but that's all going to depend on the market at the time and their ability to shift that car if you cancel your order.
It might be annoying but realistically there's not much you can do.
The long and short of it is that it all depends on the quality of your dealer, if they're unable to deliver what you ordered and signed for then you'll be entitled to a full refund but that still leaves you with a car. Some dealers might offer to suck up the difference or split the cost difference with you but that's all going to depend on the market at the time and their ability to shift that car if you cancel your order.
It might be annoying but realistically there's not much you can do.
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