Auto Parts Shortage: The Impact on Parking and Long-Term Vehicle Storage

The Expert Podcast

The Supply Chain Impact on the Auto Industry

• The current supply chain issues are affecting more than just new car inventory and used car prices. It's also impacting the repair industry.
• New car dealerships are seeing empty lots, and the prices of used cars are soaring as people turn to them when new cars are unavailable.

Challenges in the Repair Industry

• Repair facilities, both at dealerships and independent garages, are struggling to get vehicles back on the road due to parts shortages.
• Some parts have months-long backlogs, delaying repairs for extended periods.

Example of Repair Delays

• A driver involved in a minor fender bender had to wait over a month for parts to arrive at the repair shop, which affected the timeline for simple repairs.
• Even mechanical and electronic parts are facing sourcing issues, with some shops stating that they’ve never seen it this bad.

Case Study: A 26-Year Veteran’s Experience

• A repair shop manager mentioned a Ford F-150 that sat for four months due to a part being unavailable.
• With rental cars in short supply, many people are struggling to find alternative transportation while their vehicles are off the road.

The Impact of Minor Collisions

• A minor collision or mechanical issue can render your vehicle undriveable for months if parts are unavailable, adding strain on transportation.

The Rental Car Shortage

• Check out your local Enterprise Rent-A-Car for inventory availability. Many locations are experiencing days with zero vehicles in stock, and when vehicles are available, the rental fees have surged.

The Electric Vehicle Shift and Parts Crisis

• As automakers shift focus to electric vehicles, parts for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are becoming even harder to find.
• Manufacturers are no longer developing new gasoline vehicles and are not producing extra parts, worsening the current shortage.

Long-Term Effects on Legacy Vehicles

• The shift away from ICE vehicles means parts production is declining, which could lead to a lasting parts shortage, particularly for older vehicles.
• This could result in scenarios where cars on the road are no longer fixable due to part unavailability.

What This Means for Car Owners

• If you own a vehicle that’s more than a few years old, you may face difficulties finding parts in the future.
• The situation could resemble the past, like in Cuba, where cars were kept running through part scavenging, but with more complex and specialized parts in modern vehicles, interchanging parts may not be an option.

Your Thoughts on the Parts Crisis?

• What do you think about the potential long-term impact of this parts crisis on vehicle usage? Let us know in the comments!