Global semiconductor chip shortages have forced Nissan to delay the launch of its new Ariya electric car.
Nissan had originally planned to launch the Ariya in July 2020 in Japan and later this year in the US, Europe and China.
But it has now said that US customers can place orders later this year for delivery in early 2022.
Japanese customers can order the limited edition B6 model for this winter.
“Nissan is facing various industry challenges, including the semiconductor shortage,” a spokesperson said. “Our priority is to ensure that we deliver the all-new, all-electric Nissan Ariya to customers with the highest level of quality and care.”
Nissan had hoped to launch the vehicle in time for the Tokyo Olympics. The crossover SUV is seen as a tech flagship for the company.
SM reported in mid-May that the global semiconductor shortage is expected to persist for another two years.
Glenn O'Donnell, vice president, research director at advisory firm Forrester, said the firm expected the shortage to last into 2023, due to high demand and restricted supply.
Gartner has forecast that the shortage would severely disrupt supply chains and constrain production of many electronic equipment types in 2021 and would not reach normal levels until the second quarter of 2022.
Ford has said it is expecting the shortage to cause a $2.5bn hit to earnings this year.
And earlier in May, the US government said it was pressuring Taiwanese semiconductor suppliers to prioritise hard-pressed carmakers.
US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo told an Americas Society event pressure was being exerted on Taiwan's largest producer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
“We’re working hard to see if we can get the Taiwanese and TSMC, which is a big company there, to prioritise the needs of our auto companies since there’s so many American jobs on the line,” Raimondo said.
☛ Want to stay up to date with the news? Sign up to our daily bulletin.