Five days into 2022 and some dealerships are already out of semi trucks for the year

Kansas truck dealers are already reporting new semi truck shortages for 2022, forcing them to search for other used truck alternatives. 

As of January 4th, the Wichita Kenworth dealership is already sold out of new semi trucks through 2022, and dealership management says potential buyers are disappointed. 

“When we’re allocated the trucks, we have to call our customers and say they wanted 10, we have to tell them, ‘Sorry, we want to get you trucks, but we can only get you five this year,” explained Gary Wenke, the new truck sales representative for WKI Kenworth.

Not only does this shortage affect those looking to purchase brand new rigs, but it has dramatically affected the supply and prices of used rigs as well, reported Fox 4.

“It is hard to find good quality used trucks,” added Austin Bristol, the Used Truck Sales Coordinator for WKI Kenworth. “Anything we do find, we are bringing it into our shops, doing the DOT inspection, making sure they’re truly road-ready before they leave.”

Those looking to buy a new truck say the rise in price for whatever used trucks are still around is far from subtle. 

“We’re looking to upgrade to a different truck to haul grain with from the farm to the elevator or from the field to the elevator. A truck you could probably buy for $40,000 a year ago, you’re probably going to pay $60,000 for it now,” said Matthew Knudson, who is looking to buy a new semi truck for his farm. 

With those newly raised prices, truck financing is also hard to come by, but experts say the companies must find some way to make it work due to the essential nature of trucking. 

“These finance companies are looking at financing a truck that has 700,000 miles on it, and they’re looking at the numbers like how do we make this work?” said Todd Sipe, a sales consultant at Truck Center Companies. “But, you’ve got to keep freight moving, you’ve got to keep food in the grocery stores, and they’ve got to make it happen.”