To purchase a car today, buyers need more capital than before the pandemic and, above all, considerably more patience. Despite manufacturers’ best efforts, shortages of microchips and other components, plus halted global production, translate into delays. In extreme cases, some models can have wait times that exceed a year, according to Alicante dealers. The trend is especially pronounced for minibuses and pickup trucks, a segment seeing rising demand due to trends like expanded distribution and camper conversions, yet facing lower prioritization from manufacturers.
For the remaining models, the situation has not improved so far this year. The most common wait times cited by dealers are typically six to nine months, with some exceptions shortening the period to around four months.
As a result, while new-car sales in some regions break records and recovery trends rebound to pre-pandemic levels, the industry’s major associations — Faconauto, Ganvam, and Anfac — report a mixed picture for the sector as a whole. This includes renewed concerns about supply and demand dynamics in the market.
Within the province, August brought a 36% rise in transactions, yet the annual volume still shows a contraction of about 5.34% versus 2021 figures, signaling the third consecutive year of market decline, particularly through the first eight months. In Alicante, 21,688 passenger cars and SUVs were sold, roughly 55.5% below the same period in 2019, while figures from the trade bodies put totals at 48,830. [Citation: Faconauto, Ganvam, Anfac]
“It is frankly frustrating to tell customers there is no car available,” said the Citroën dealer Cimotor’s manager, Jorge Sanchez. “We’ve faced this for two years, and the outlook hasn’t improved. Deadlines range from six to nine months, and if there are no further delays, we persevere.” The issue is particularly acute for minibuses. “No, and customers are rewarded with delays when a vehicle does eventually arrive. I have ten clients to call about potential second-hand options,” he adds. [Citation: Cimotor]
Lack of stock causes waits of up to six months at dealers
“I have a client waiting for a van for a year, and the most common windows are five, six, or seven months,” confirms Movilsa’s manager Ruth Candelapoints, highlighting the strain on dealer operations. Some stores have offered courtesy cars while orders are fulfilled, absorbing additional costs as vehicles finally arrive.
The Sala Hermanos team, covering Seat, Volkswagen, and Cupra, remains cautiously optimistic. Benito Cabrera reports that about 70% of deliveries run in roughly three to four months. The remaining 30% still face delays. “That three-to-four-month wait has always existed, but stock levels concealed it before; customers didn’t notice,” he explains. Buyers are increasingly learning: a renewal often requires early planning. Problems tend to intensify when a major breakdown occurs or a lease ends, he notes.
After three years of reduced bills due to vehicle scarcity, dealers now fear the problem has shifted toward demand, with inflation and geopolitical tensions dampening the number of customers visiting showrooms. The uncertain economy translates into a slower pipeline for future sales, creating a difficult cycle for the industry to break. A period of sustained pressure continues to push dealers to adapt and survive.
Second hand
The shortage of new-vehicle stock has driven more buyers toward the used market, which in turn tightens the supply of pre-owned vehicles. “Many customers are turning to second-hand options — cars under four years old — but availability is still limited,” explains Jorge Sánchez. Cimotor reports that minibuses can command prices exceeding 20,000 euros for models with more than 200,000 kilometers. This trend accelerates aging of the fleet and brings its own maintenance and reliability challenges for businesses relying on used vehicles.
As a result, fleet age is rising, which may lead to more frequent repairs and higher operating costs for companies that rely on mobility and transport services. The shift toward second-hand stock compounds the pressure on dealers to find suitable inventory for buyers with varying budgets and needs.
Strong increase in average car prices
The shortage has driven a notable rise in vehicle prices since the end of the pandemic. National statistics show cost increases approaching 10% since March 2020, while tax-record data indicate a rise of more than 20% on average per transaction. Higher costs for materials and shipping, combined with manufacturers prioritizing higher-margin models or premium trims, help explain the price surge.
In this climate, shoppers in Canada and the United States may observe similar dynamics, with stock constraints often leading to longer wait times and higher outlays. Dealers are adjusting by offering alternative models, exploring financing options, and reinforcing the value of early planning to secure preferred configurations. The path forward for the industry involves balancing production, demand, and pricing in an environment shaped by ongoing supply-chain pressures and evolving consumer preferences.