Shortages of key components including semiconductor microchips have prompted Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Mercedes-Benz to warn fleet customers of lengthy lead times and vehicle specification changes.

AM’s sister title, Fleet News, today (August 20) reported on a warning from JLR to leasing companies that lead times for 53 model variants are now in excess of one year.

And, as AM learned of at least one car maker importing ‘incomplete’ new cars into the UK in a bid to maintain a flow of vehicles to its dealer network and customers, Mercedes-Benz said that certain tech-dependent features would be removed from cars to ensure deliveries.

Fleet News reported that the worst affected JLR models include versions of the 2022 model year Jaguar E-Pace, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Land Rover Defender.

A briefing note from the OEM told leasing companies: “Although these can remain open for quoting and ordering on your systems if you choose, your supplying Retailer will not be in a position to accept orders for these derivatives due to extended lead times.”