Toyota Australia has reassured customers that they will not face extended wait times for hybrid vehicles, despite a global shortage of components and rising demand.
Reports of supply issues have surfaced due to a surge in hybrid vehicle popularity in 2024, particularly in markets like the US, Australia, Japan, and Europe. Japan Today reported that a shortage of hybrid technology components has led to long waiting lists in these regions.
In the US, hybrid sales grew by 36.7% last year, leading to a significant stock shortage. As a result, Toyota has struggled to meet demand in major markets, including Japan, China, and Europe. In Europe, customers are reportedly waiting more than two months, while buyers in Japan are facing delays of up to five months. India is the hardest-hit market, with delays extending up to nine months. David Christ, Toyota’s head of sales and marketing in North America, stated that the company is “sold out” of hybrids and unable to meet the high demand.
Meanwhile, sales of battery-electric vehicles (EVs) have not matched the demand for hybrids, even with significant government incentives in place. With the upcoming removal of EV incentives in the US under President Donald Trump’s administration, hybrid sales are expected to rise further.
In March 2025, Toyota’s sales of electrified vehicles, including hybrids and EVs, accounted for nearly half of the company’s total sales in North America, reaching 231,335 units.
In Australia, Toyota dealerships sold a record number of hybrids in 2024, especially with the shift of popular models like the RAV4 SUV to hybrid-only versions. Toyota Australia has confirmed that current wait times for hybrid vehicles are around three to four months, and they do not expect these delays to increase. The company emphasized that hybrid vehicles now make up more than half of their sales in Australia.
A Toyota spokesperson stated that the company’s supply chain remains strong, with healthy stock levels for the upcoming months. Customers who place orders now can expect delivery in less than four months on average.
The Toyota LandCruiser Prado, which is not available in hybrid form, has seen the longest wait times. However, these delays have now settled following the arrival of the new-generation Prado in November 2024.
In North America, the looming threat of US import tariffs, set to take effect on April 3, 2025, is putting additional strain on the supply chain. While Toyota’s RAV4 hybrid is manufactured in Japan for Australia, it is built in Canada and the US for North American markets. In response to the tariff news, vehicle sales in the US surged over the weekend as buyers rushed to purchase before prices rise by up to $12,000 (AU$19,000) per vehicle.
