Toyota's redesigned RAV4 is in such high demand that some customers are waiting months for delivery, with dealers reporting supercar-style waiting lists.
The hybrid-only crossover's supply issues persist, despite Toyota's overall US sales being up this year.
At Colonial Toyota in Milford, Connecticut, owner Bobby Crabtree said his lot is only about one-third full, with room for 250 more vehicles.
Customers Nancy and Ira Berman ordered their RAV4 in March and are only now preparing to take delivery, six months later.
"The wait was a slight annoyance," Nancy Berman told CNBC, noting they had other Toyotas to drive in the meantime.
Production Ramp-Up and Supply Constraints
Toyota admitted supplies would be tight at launch, with initial units coming from Japan and Canada due to retooling at its Kentucky plant.
Japanese exports were also affected by the conflict in the Middle East, further squeezing availability.
Kentucky is now producing RAV4s, but the gradual ramp-up means dealers haven't received their usual volumes.
Earlier this summer, some dealers measured RAV4 inventory in hours, and one California store reportedly had over 800 customers waiting.
The tight inventory has cost Toyota tens of thousands of potential sales this year.
Despite the shortages, demand remains strong, with nearly 480,000 RAV4s sold in the US last year, making it the third best-selling vehicle overall.
The shift to hybrid-only power comes as gas prices have skyrocketed, and hybrids now account for over 18 percent of US new-vehicle sales, according to JD Power.
