The global microchip shortage, combined with increased demand, continues to result in low supply of many models. Most dealerships in California, and throughout the world, have a fraction of their normal inventory levels at this time.

At Cartelligent, we’re continuing to help our clients have a great experience, and save time and money buying or leasing their new car. We’re finding a number of solutions for our clients including in-stock vehicles; cars, incoming cars, and special orders.

For those who are new to the nomenclature:

  • In stock: We’re finding the car, truck or SUV in inventory at a dealership in California (or beyond). These usually arrive within a matter of days from the time the client selects them.
  • Incoming: The car, truck or SUV has been built and is currently at the port or on the water on its way to a dealership. These can take 1-4 weeks to arrive at Cartelligent.
  • Order: We’re selecting the car, truck or SUV before it is built and it will be configured to our client’s specifications on colors and options. These typically take 8-12 weeks to arrive at Cartelligent (depending on where they are built).

We thought it would be interesting to look at the brands, we’ve been succeeding with during the 2021 car shortage, and how we’ve been able to find the cars, trucks and SUVs our clients want from each brand:


2022 Niro EV California
10. Kia
In Stock Incoming Order
62% 31% 8%

Most of the Kia Niro EVs (shown) and PHEVs we’re finding are in stock or incoming cars, while the Kia Telluride comprises the bulk of our Kia orders.


2022 Poscshe Taycan California
9. Porsche
In Stock Incoming Order
33% 8% 59%

Over half of our Porsche clients are choosing to order their car exactly how they want it. The Taycan EV (shown), Cayenne and 911 are our most popular Porsches.


2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
8. Mercedes-Benz
In Stock Incoming Order
36% 20% 43%

Orders are a great option for Mercedes-Benz clients–the SUV lines such as the GLC-Class (shown) as the most commonly selected.


2021 Honda CR-V California
7. Honda
In Stock Incoming Order
49% 51% 0%

The Honda CR-V (shown) is our most chosen Honda right now. A little more than half the Hondas our clients select are coming in as incoming cars.


2022 Subaru Outback California
6. Subaru
In Stock Incoming Order
39% 42% 19%

Many of the Subaru Outbacks (shown), and Crosstreks we’re obtaining for our clients are being found as incoming or in stock vehicles.


2021 Volkswagen ID.4 special order California
5. Volkswagen
In Stock Incoming Order
55% 27% 18%

The all-electric ID.4 (shown) is by far our most popular Volkswagen right now and accounts for the majority of our Volkswagen orders and incoming cars. W’re finding most of the Atlas, Taos and Tiguan SUVs as in stock units.


2021 Audi Q5 California
4. Audi
In Stock Incoming Order
41% 23% 35%

The Q5 SUV (shown) continues to be our most selected Audi model; a little under half of these are incoming cars. We’re also helping clients find a number of vehicles in the e-tron family of electric vehicles, as well as the Audi Q3 and Q7 SUVs.


Volvo XC90

3. Volvo
In Stock Incoming Order
72% 5% 23%

The Volvo line of SUVs including the XC40, XC60 and XC90 continue to be most chosen by our clients; we’re finding the majority of these as in stock units. Many Cartelligent clients are opting for the all-electric or PHEV version of their Volvo SUVs.


2021 BMW X5 xDrive 45e California
2. BMW
In Stock Incoming Order
40% 10% 50%

Our most ordered BMW in recent months is the plug-in hybrid X5 xDrive 45e (shown); other BMW SUVs including the X3 and X7 are also commonly selected.


2021_Toyota_RAV4_Adventure_LunarRock_California
1. Toyota
In Stock Incoming Order
20% 73% 7%

Most of the Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs chosen by our clients are arriving as incoming units. The RAV4 (shown), as well as the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions continue to be our most popular Toyota models.

Despite the inventory shortages across brands, Cartelligent is finding ways to help our clients get a fair price on the new car want. Call our team of car-buying experts at 888-427-4270 or get started today.