Brace yourselves. There’s a storm coming in. Perhaps you can hunker down in the Toyota Tundra, as it’s the only truck without declining sales. Inflation, the semiconductor shortage, and other supply issues might be causing other pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 to sink. Why is the 2022 Toyota Tundra still going strong?
All trucks but the Toyota Tundra have declining sales
2022 Toyota Tundra | Toyota
Could this be the fall of pickup truck sales? Well, it could be the beginning, excluding the Toyota Tundra. According to GoodCarBadCar, every truck faced declining sales in America, except for the Tundra.
GoodCarBadCar collects data on every United States vehicle sale every month. Then the numbers are compared to the number of sales compared to the same month last year. But monthly and year-to-date sales are paired with a growth column to easily gauge growth and individual vehicle sales.
We can see that Tundra sales are up by 15.67 percent, Ford F-150 sales are down by 29.82 percent, Honda Ridgeline sales dropped by -35.99 percent, and even the incredibly popular Toyota Tacoma dropped by -21.35 percent.
Why are truck sales down?
The Toyota Tundra is in a rare position with production ramping up instead of facing delays. For example, you can’t even order a Ford Maverick right now. Some trucks can’t keep up with high demand.
This might work in the Tundra’s favor as people scramble to scoop up brand new trucks. With a limited inventory of new options, people are forced to consider used trucks instead. This has led to inflation among used prices.
The Toyota Tacoma is so inflated that used prices are almost matching the cost for a brand new model. You can actually save by buying new instead of used. However, Toyota may be using their supply of chips for the Tundra instead of other options.
People have been waiting on their Toyota Tacoma orders for months without much of an update. So, some trucks are unavailable, while others are stuck in limbo.
Also, the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage is wreaking havoc. Ford is cutting production and temporarily closing plants due to limited supplies. Some vehicles, like the Ford Bronco, have equipment delays caused by supply chain issues too.
How long is the wait for a Tundra?
2022 Toyota Tundra | Toyota
Back in November 2021, the 2022 Toyota Tundra waiting list was expected to have a four to nine-month waiting time. The Tundra TRD was projected to be delayed by nine months to 1.5 years as the most challenging model to get.
However, some Tundra models have already started to arrive. Fully loaded Tundra models may arrive by the end of the year, and you can order one with your local Toyota dealership. Meanwhile, other trucks and SUVs might not come until 2023.
Also, you can get started in a 2022 Tundra for about $35,950. That price feels high, compared to the Ford F-150’s $29,990 MSRP. But at least with the Tundra, you might have a better idea of when your truck will arrive. Plus, the base model may include more value than the standard F-150.
Some optimists suggest that the chip shortage will be less severe toward the end of 2022. Hopefully, truck prices will return to normal by then. We will keep an eye on things for you.
Keyword: Toyota Tundra Models Are the Only Trucks Staying Afloat