Blog Post

Car Parts Availability in 2021: Challenges and Solutions

We appreciate your patience during these challenging times and want to say THANK YOU!

“The Biggest Supply Chain Disruption Since World War II” is causing delays and price increases in the automotive parts industry.

COVID-19 shutdowns depleted the supply of car parts as manufacturing plants closed down worldwide. However, auto repair shops and parts vendors remained open as essential businesses.

DIY auto repairs surged during the pandemic, leading to increased demand for parts. Consequently, we have depleted our stock of automotive parts.

Skilled labor shortages in automotive manufacturing further delayed production and restocking due to unfilled manufacturing jobs and retirement of baby boomers.

Raw material shortages, including steel, precious metals, microchips, chemicals, lubricants, and solvents, have contributed to limited supply and production of car parts.

Vehicle manufacturers are experiencing delays in completing production due to the lack of crucial parts, resulting in temporary shutdowns. Estimates suggest a significant drop in car production this year.

Dealerships are turning to aftermarket parts as their original equipment (OE) parts supplies run low, impacting independent repair shops that rely on these parts.

Shipping challenges, such as soaring costs of off-shore cargo containers, import tariffs, and port closures due to COVID-19 outbreaks, have hindered the timely delivery of automotive parts.

Increased demand for auto repair services arises from a low supply of new and used vehicles, backlogs caused by the work-from-home trend, and improved financial situations for consumers.

Sporadic parts deliveries have made workflow management in auto repair shops challenging, with sudden influxes of parts adding to the complexity.

At Lee Myles Auto Care & Transmissions, we are working closely with our vendors to secure parts promptly and affordably while maintaining our high standards of quality. We anticipate supply chain disruptions to persist into 2022.

To ensure your vehicle’s safety and functionality, we advise against significant delays in repairs. Particularly, tire, brake, and transmission repairs are experiencing the most shortages. Schedule repairs in advance to avoid transportation issues.

We appreciate your trust and loyalty. Our dedicated team remains committed to providing you with excellent service amidst these unique circumstances.

Sources:

Remarkable Results podcast “Supply Chain: Getting Parts to Market Post Pandemic [THA 237]” (Bruce Ronning, Brian Norko, Malcom Sissmore, Paul McCarthy, Carm Capriotto), 8/19/2021

Automotive Training Institute webinar “Live@9: Global Supply Chain Disruptions” (Richard Menneg, Jay Kurzman, Kim Hickey), 8/11/2021

Daily professional discussions with local parts vendors’ sales representatives, August 2021