Supply issues hurting sales in Northern Ireland

Just 3,539 new cars were registered here last month, 13 per cent below June 2021, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Sales were only marginally above the 3,278 sold in June 2020, when car showrooms were still partly under Covid-19 restrictions.

It made last month one of the worst on record for the industry. SMMT data showed dealers sold 1,631 fewer cars than the pre-pandemic levels of June 2019.

Compared with the first six months of 2019, the 21,139 new cars sold in the north this year represents a fall of 9,700 vehicles.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said UK wide, the global shortage of semiconductor microchips is stifling the new car market even more than last year's lockdown.

"Electric vehicle demand continues to be the one bright spot, as more electric cars than ever take to the road,” he said.

"But, while this growth is welcome, it is not yet enough to offset weak overall volumes, which has huge implications for fleet renewal and our ability to meet overall carbon reduction targets.”

Source

My sister is in the area and was telling me about it. I think the supply issues are happening all over the place but it appears to be especially bad up there. 

Has anyone in the area been trying to buy a car and can't because of shortages?