Toyota’s latest **RAV4 hybrid is facing a serious supply crunch in the US, with some buyers waiting around six months** to get their SUVs.
Dealers report that demand for the redesigned, hybrid-only RAV4 is far ahead of the number of vehicles arriving from the factories. One large US outlet has space for about 250 more vehicles but is currently only one‑third full, highlighting how thin RAV4 stocks are.
Early batches of the new model were shipped from Japan and Canada while Toyota retooled its Kentucky plant for RAV4 hybrid production. Output has now started in Kentucky, but the gradual ramp‑up means many showrooms still have only a few days’ worth of RAV4 inventory.
Waiting lists are stretching into the hundreds at some big US dealerships, and customers on forums report delays of six to nine months for certain configurations.
Toyota sold nearly 480,000 RAV4 units in the US last year, making it the third‑best‑selling vehicle there. With hybrids now accounting for over 18% of new‑vehicle sales in the US, strong demand for fuel‑efficient SUVs like the RAV4 hybrid is likely to continue.
For Nepali buyers, this US situation means that if the new RAV4 hybrid is allocated to Nepal in future, initial supplies could be limited and waiting periods may be longer than usual, even though Nepal pricing and launch plans have not been confirmed.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Editorial policy.
