I just got a new car at msrp in Canada so it is possible, a Toyota. However there was no bargaining and was more “call everyone and find the dealer with one coming in soon and grab it”
It's interesting that you managed to get a Toyota. Toyota until very late on wasn't affected by the chip shortage [0]. Toyota practically invented lean manufacturing and are the only business that seems to do it right, I guess it's because they didn't need to bring in a bunch of lean consultants, that either miss the nuance or can't effectively communicate that nuance.
Lean manufacturing and JIT are like DRY in software development. Those that are just learning think don't repeat yourself is a rule, "DRY means DRY" whereas experts have learnt that "DRY means DRY except in all of those situations where it is better to repeat yourself".
Toyota knew prior to the pandemic that their chip supply chain was vulnerable, being filled with single points of failure, and they stocked accordingly. But those stocks were only going to last so long, and, thanks in part to the panic buying of the other car manufacturers, Toyota is also facing a shortage.
The above is a really long winded way to say, I'd be interested to know if MSRP Toyota's will remain available in the near term, mostly because I'm in the market for a new car, I'll put the local Toyota dealers at the top of the list.
I know they went up a little over the last couple years, but they (at least tacomas) hold their price really well, and they are generally solid and will last. Driven Toyotas all my life and 100% recommend them. My only advice is to just call all your local dealers and find one with a vehicle already on its way to claim
Also in Canada. We ordered a new Rav4 back in early October and just got word that it's 'scheduled' to arrive in the middle of April. When we first placed the order it was thought that we'd have it by Christmas/New Years. Definitely major delays and shortages but the MSRP doesn't seem to have been affected (but time will tell when we actually go to sign the paperwork)
I called about a dozen dealers to find an unclaimed one that was already enroute to the dealer. From what I understand you do not go onto “Toyota’s” list you go onto the dealers list, and they will not send you elsewhere, thou a really good/honest dealer can query what dealers are getting what. Took me about a week to find one, and another week to pickup my Tacoma, however I did have to spend a few hours each way on a ferry. I’ve been told “if you don’t have a vin you don’t have a date” but not sure how true that is.
Lean manufacturing and JIT are like DRY in software development. Those that are just learning think don't repeat yourself is a rule, "DRY means DRY" whereas experts have learnt that "DRY means DRY except in all of those situations where it is better to repeat yourself".
Toyota knew prior to the pandemic that their chip supply chain was vulnerable, being filled with single points of failure, and they stocked accordingly. But those stocks were only going to last so long, and, thanks in part to the panic buying of the other car manufacturers, Toyota is also facing a shortage.
The above is a really long winded way to say, I'd be interested to know if MSRP Toyota's will remain available in the near term, mostly because I'm in the market for a new car, I'll put the local Toyota dealers at the top of the list.
[0] https://fortune.com/2021/08/02/toyota-cars-chip-shortage-sem...
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/business/toyota-productio...