The latest victim in the global chip shortage is the popular Jeep Gladiator pickup…
We’ve all seen the photos of thousands of Ford F-150s sitting in huge lots, just waiting for chips so they can be shipped out to dealers. And you’ve probably heard about General Motors’ struggles with the chip shortage, including that their production of full-size trucks has come to a stop.
Now, it’s Jeep Gladiator Production that’s stopped.
Jeep Gladiator Production: The Good News and Bad News
The bad news is that there simply aren’t enough semiconductors to continue production of the Gladiator. The good news is that the production delay should be short, at least compared to the delays other automakers are experiencing.
Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, released a statement saying that they continue to “work closely with our suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing our industry. Due to the unprecedented global microchip shortage, production at the Toledo (Ohio) South Assembly Plant will be down the week of Aug. 2.”
A week’s shutdown is certainly better than two weeks, a month, or longer, but it still means a week in which the South Assembly Plant is closed down. That’s where all Gladiators are built. Thankfully for Stellantis, the chip shortage is not impacting the production of the ever-popular Wrangler, which is built at the North Assembly Plant in the same complex.
However, the Jeep Gladiator production stoppage is likely a sign of things to come.
The chip shortage has been ongoing during the pandemic, and industry insiders have gone on the record more than once to say that they see the chip shortage extending into 2022 due to ongoing difficulties with the pandemic.
What Does the Future Look Like for Jeep Gladiator Production?
There are multiple issues to overcome to resolve the chip shortage – production shutdowns in Asia, which means reduced supply of chips; difficulties sourcing materials to make the chips in the first place; shipping and transit delays…the list goes on and on.
Stellantis and other automakers are doing their best to push out new vehicles and meet the crushing demand by consumers for new rides. If you’re one of those people and have a Gladiator on order, you might have to wait a little bit longer.
In reality, if a new car is on your radar, no matter the brand, you should probably get ready to wait as the industry as a whole is experiencing delays and product shortages.