Automotive giant Toyota continues to struggle with an ongoing semiconductor chip shortage, and its latest plan to address this is by reducing the number of smart keys from two to one for certain new vehicles.
Those buying new units of at least 14 Toyota models will be covered by the policy
As reported by Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, Toyota announced on October 27 that it will issue one smart key and a standard mechanical key to Japanese buyers of 14 models. These include the new Crown, Camry, Prius, bZ4X, Harrier, C-HR, Alphard, Vellfire, Noah, Voxy, Land Cruiser, Prado, and GranAce. The policy also covers nine Lexus models, including the ES and LS.
The figure rises to 25 Toyota models and 12 Lexus models when vehicles sold in overseas markets are included. This is reportedly the first time Toyota has had to resort to such a measure.
Typically, automakers give two electronic key fobs when customers take delivery of a new unit. These allow them to lock and unlock the vehicle remotely, and each fob contains a standard physical key that can be used for emergencies.
Even certain Lexus models are affected
Under Toyota’s new policy, buyers will still get two physical keys, but only one will come with a remote key fob. Toyota is positioning this as a quick fix to expedite deliveries of new units to customers, as some models are projected to take several years before orders are fulfilled.
“As the shortage of semiconductors continues, this is a provisional measure aimed at delivering cars to customers as quickly as possible,” the company said in a statement, apologizing to affected customers and adding that the second smart key will be handed over as soon as it is ready.
Toyota reports that its quarterly profits plunged significantly as of September 2022, totaling 434 billion yen (around Php 173 billion) compared to 627 billion yen (almost Php 250 billion) in the same period last year. The slump was attributed to the ongoing chip shortage that offset foreign exchange gains stemming from a weaker yen.
The company is uncertain as to when the chip shortage affecting its production facilities will end
While Toyota purchasing group chief Kazunari Kumakura believes that the automaker has hurdled the worst phase, there are still parts shortages to contend with. “I don’t know when the chip shortage will be resolved,” he said.
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