I am forced to walk the school run after my £37k car has been delayed for a YEAR

AN OAP has been forced to walk his grandchildren to school in the rain after waiting for his new £37,000 Land Rover for over a year.

Michael Finnerty, a grandfather of Sheldon, is angry that he ordered one discovery sport in March 2021 but doesn’t even have a construction date yet.

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Despite paying a £1,000 deposit and signing a contract, his order has been canceled and amended several times – and his car doesn’t even exist.

Jaguar Land Rover has blamed it global chip shortage for the strong delays, since there are not enough semiconductors.

Michael wants this particular model which will cost him £37,000 because only one seven seater will fit all his five grandchildren.

Stranded without a car, the disgruntled retiree has relied on public transport or walking to get around, and has even had to rent cars to go on vacation.

Michael worked as a production manager at Jaguar in Castle Bromwich for 20 years and was able to order the car through Jaguar Land Rover’s employee scheme.

After retiring in 2005, this is how he ordered his previous car, which he drove for 17 years before deciding to replace it last year.

That’s what the 69-year-old said Birmingham Mail: “The contract was signed, the order placed [but] I haven’t received my car.

“After 20 years of service to the company, faithful service I might add, they don’t care about me.

“All I’m asking for is a build date.”

“Because I’m retired, I’ve managed to do without a car.

“I can imagine people who need a car would have canceled the order.

“You can’t wait and be 12 months without a car if you’re working.”

Jaguar Land Rover was hit by one global chip shortagewhich was a blow to the tech industry and the auto market.

The chips – tiny semiconductors – are the brains of every electronic device, but they are in high demand.

A Disclaimer The website for ordering a Discovery Sport states: “There is currently a global shortage of semiconductor components.

“As a leading manufacturer using cutting-edge technology, Land Rover is currently impacted by this shortage and as a result, delivery times for some products may be extended.

“Rest assured that we will do everything we can to deliver any vehicle you have ordered to you as quickly as possible.”

Michael originally ordered a 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport petrol but claims he was told JLR canceled the order and offered him a 2022 model.

After agreeing to pay a similar price for the newer model, he claimed he was then told the car “had been withdrawn from the employee purchase program, with only the diesel model available.”

Michael claimed the situation could “go on forever” while Jaguar Land Rover still had a thousand pounds of his money.

When asked if he would give up and buy another car, Michael said: “Of course I’ve thought about it, but it’s the only car I want.”

Jaguar Land Rover told The Sun Online: “Like other automakers, we are currently experiencing some ongoing supply chain disruptions, including global availability of semiconductors, which is impacting our production schedules and our ability to meet global demand for some of our vehicles.

“We understand and will remain in touch with Mr. Finnerty and are working hard to minimize the impact on customer orders wherever possible.”

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