‘I can’t sell a brand-new car today’: Central Oregon dealerships still dealing with inventory shortages

(Update: Adding video, comments from dealers)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Computer chip shortages are still a major factor challenging Central Oregon car dealerships, and overseas COVID-19 issues also are still having an impact.

Subaru of Bend says it currently has just 60% of its normal allocation while Bend Honda has around 25% and Team Kia of Bend is at 30%.

"It's the worst shortages I've had to deal with in my career," Craig Hansen, general manager of Team Kia of Bend, told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday. Hansen has been in the car business for 36 years.

Hansen said he has only six new cars on his lot, a number that's usually closer to 55.

It's a shortage issue that was supposed to be solved long ago.

Subaru of Bend owner Matt Thomas said. “It started out as a six-month problem, turned into a year problem -- and in January we were told it'll be 2024 before it’s resolved."

"I can't sell a brand-new car today," Thomas said. "Everything is pre-sold, meaning it's bought before it hits my lot."

At Bend Honda, Subaru of Bend and Team Kia of Bend, new-car buyers will have to be patient, as wait times for most models start at at least 60 days.

"We are able to get an order in 90 days," Thomas said. "That could be sooner, could be later."