A Number of Vehicles Dodged the Chip Shortage — Which Brands Were Lucky?
Jeep and Nissan are just a few automakers who were least affected by the car chip shortage. Here's a look at the others that dodged the crisis.
April 10 2023, Updated 2:47 p.m. ET
Nearly every automaker, from Ford to BMW, was impacted by the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage, which started in the first half of 2020 and was expected to continue through the end of 2022. The chip shortage impacted car buyers as well. The shortage pushed prices way up and made it difficult to find the car you want.
However, some vehicles were lucky enough to skirt around the chip shortage issue. Here are a few car brands that have been less affected by the shortage than others.
Is Jeep affected by the car chip shortage?
Jeep was less impacted by the car chip shortage compared to other auto manufacturers.
The 2021/2022 Jeep Compass was reportedly less affected by the chip shortage and had greater availability than some other competitors in the SUV market. Jeeps of any kind are also popular on the used car market since they hold their value well compared to other models.
Were Ram trucks impacted by the chip shortage?
The 2021/2022 Ram 1500 Classic is one truck that saw higher availability due to the manufacturer prioritizing it amid the chip shortage. Since Ram trucks are more adept at towing and hauling, they're a good alternative to sedans or even SUVs.
Which vehicle was least affected by the chip shortage?
Two years ago, the 2021 Nissan Altima was more available on the market. Nissan likely prioritized this vehicle in its lineup because it’s a long-time winner. The Altima, which has been around in some form since 2005, has also had more exclusive features added recently to help it compete in the higher-end market.
Therefore, Nissan is one of a a few vehicle brands that escaped the repercussions of the chip shortage.
Why were some brands less affected by the chip shortage?
It’s definitely possible that it’s easier to find certain vehicles because they’re less popular on the vehicle market. However, that’s likely not the case with all of these cars — especially the Nissan Altima and Jeep Compass, which are beloved by many.
How long is the chip shortage expected to last?
It isn't easy out there for car buyers. New car prices rose to an average of $50,000 in December 2022, a big increase from the $40,000 threshold reached mid-year. Meanwhile, the used car market was (and still is) feeling the heat, with the average vehicle going for a staggering $26,510, according to Kelly Blue Book.
The semiconductor chip shortage is a major factor in this bubble, but constraints on materials and the overall supply chain were expected to ease by the end of 2022. Car buyers should know that the automotive industry’s recovery will take longer, however, as it's competing for chips against clean energy, healthcare, and consumer tech companies, among others.
Because some vehicles were more available than others during the chip shortage, buyers may have had to settle for fewer options. Thankfully, in 2023, we are seeing automakers with more inventory on their hands, though cars are now being sold at a higher price. We can attribute the car price hikes to higher production costs, which were primarily brought on by inflation.
In February 2023, J.P. Morgan shared that the average price of a new vehicle in the U.S. was "up 4.2 percent year-over-year in January 2023."