My QX56 Was Destroyed by Tsunami!

[uwhusky]

Back in February I ordered a 2011 QX56 from my dealer. Delivery date was scheduled for early May but I received notification it would be coming early and the delivery date was April 11th.

I called my dealer a few weeks after the tsunami and asked him if it had an effect on my delivery and he said it didn't then. I wasn't sure to believe him because he's just a salesman, what does he know about events at manufacturing and shipping?

Well, I got a call on Saturday from him saying it had been destroyed and that I'd now have to wait another 3 months, putting my deliver at early July 2011.

I may look around and see if I can find one on a lot somewhere that matches my specs. I don't really want to wait another 3 months. I need the QX for summer recreation and boat towing.

Another thing on my mind is if I have to now wait until mid Summer 2011 for my 2011 MY. Should I just wait a couple more months and get a 2012 MY. Does anyone know when the 2012 MY will be hitting dealer lots?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Probably about 9 months from now, but I wouldn't expect very much to change from the 11MY and the 2012.

[Timmbo]

Dude, the incident in Japan only caused about weeks worth of delays. Maybe the dealer is truly having a hard time rounding up that vehicle, but there is no way in hell I would wait. You can certainly find something sooner, use cars.com and be willing to drive a little ways to get what you want at a great deal!

[uwhusky]

Timmbo, why do you think the incident only caused about a weeks worth of delay? My Infiniti dealer told me they lost 32 cars as a result of the tsunami, they said a dealership in Houson actually lost over 100 cars.

If you google search "infiniti shipments tsunami", you'll come across hundreds of results about 2,300 Nissans and Infiniti's being destroyed. Here's an article from USA Today. http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... d-for-us/1

I would think 2,300 cars being destroyed would put them back by more than a week. Then I'd factor in they are probably not getting the power to the manufacturing plant like they once did, the port they were using is now destroyed meaning they need to use another port and those ports are probably back logged.

Adding everything together, I would think this would put any company back by far more than a week. I actually questioned the salesman's idea that they could get me my vehicle within 3 months.

[vegasQX56]

I took delivery of my QX56 the weekend after the tsunami and the salesman told me that they really get little information on manufacturing and that they only know where a vehicle is once it is processed and finalized at the port. The salesman was not hopeful of what would happen to those "on order" since it is hard to know where any vehicles are until the are shipped out. I think that 3 months is the timeframe pre-tsunami, but I agree that anything now is unknown.

[Eikon]

I suspect Infiniti only lost a couple weeks worth of production. I think that's what Timmbo was trying to say, but perhaps a typo removed the word prior to "weeks". Notice he pluralized it. Anyhow.. I also suspect the dealer was trying to administer some damage control. They probably don't have a good estimate but know from experience that they are better off telling you a longer period and having it come sooner than the other way around. This tends to keep customers happy. Of course, some may take their business elsewhere, but even then, the limited supply changes the supply/demand structure and makes the dealer less concerned with losing a buyer here and there.

I agree completely with Timm.... Take a look around your region and see if you can find any vehicles that match your desired specs. If you cannot, then be patient with the dealer and give them some time to figure things out. The QX will be worth the wait!!

[Timmbo]

Correctomundo Sethy-Poo! Case in point, if the dealer thinks there will be a significant delay (regardless of the reason/reasons) I personally would take matters into my own hands and find a vehicle I am happy with, there is certainly plenty of inventory out there, and the QX is not built in that many different configurations.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yes, Nissan/Infiniti in Japan are STILL not producing as much as they are supposed to (I think the Iwaki plant is still down). HOWEVER, what they ARE producing is destined for the US market... I guess they consider this country key?

[uwhusky]

My dealership found anothe vehicle for me, although it's not exactly what I wanted but it's pretty darn close. It has one option I didn't really want (Tech Pkg) and it doesn't have some I wanted (listed below). Can any of these be added at the dealership or do they need to be added at the factory...to the best of your knowledge?

Cargo Mat, Cargo Net, First Aid Kit (seems like this would be a very, very simple add)
Bumper Protector
Illuminated Kick Plates

[Timmbo]

My dealership found anothe vehicle for me, although it's not exactly what I wanted but it's pretty darn close. It has one option I didn't really want (Tech Pkg) and it doesn't have some I wanted (listed below). Can any of these be added at the dealership or do they need to be added at the factory...to the best of your knowledge?

Cargo Mat, Cargo Net, First Aid Kit (seems like this would be a very, very simple add)
Bumper Protector
Illuminated Kick Plates

All the items you listed that you want, are all "accessory" items that can be added at the dealership or purchased cheap online or even sometimes on ebay, just make sure it is genuine Nissan / Infiniti.

[uwhusky]

Interesting. I wasn't sure about the illuminated kick plates as I was thinking they might be installed at the factory. I was able to find them on eBay. I was also able to find the cargo net and cargo mat on eBay but not the first aid kit.

The bumper protector has been discontinued until Infiniti can find another supplier. I could either wait until that is available through Infiniti or have clear bra installed back there. Not sure how long it will be until Infiniti has found a new supplier for those.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'd do the clear bra thing myself.

[vegasQX56]

I'd do the clear bra thing myself.

+1 on that, I regret not getting it and am looking to do it after the fact.

[uwhusky]

I'd do the clear bra thing myself.

+1 on that, I regret not getting it and am looking to do it after the fact.

I've seen the chrome protector plate and I like the look of it. Honestly I'd probably rather have that than a clear bra but given I may not have a choice, I will probably opt for the clear bra. I'm taking the QX straight from the dealer to the clear bra guy to get the front, side mirrors, bumper, etc. clear bra'd so I'll just have them do the rear tail gate piece while I'm there.

[Timmbo]

So are you getting that one then? When are you picking the beast up?

[uwhusky]

I'm getting the one the dealer located and traded one of their allotted QX56s for when it arrives at port. It's tentatively scheduled to be here April 29th but the dealer didn't sound overly confident in that date. I'm anticipating paying more for the truck since it has Tech Pkg and I didn't really want Tech Pkg.

Interestingly enough, not sure if this is BS or not, by my salesman told me you can't order these anymore with Deluxe Touring and Theatre without getting the Teck Pkg. While I have not yet seen one with Deluxe and Theatre that didn't also have Tech I think he's BS'ing me because he wants me to take this truck and not wait until July for the car I want to come in. That's why he said I basically can't get the truck I want even if I custom order it. That being said if I have to pay an extra $2500 for Tech Pkg and to get it here soon, I'm willing to do that. I just hate all the different stories and complete runaround BS that comes from so many dealerships.

Thanks, Steve

[vegasQX56]

In shopping around for a while and waiting as well for delivery, I did notice theater+deluxe only, but only a handful of times. However, I was told before (which has been months thought) that you could special order it that way. Don't know if the policy has changed though.