The #vanlife movement was already in full swing before the pandemic, fueled by envy-inducing posts on Instagram and DIY van conversion videos on YouTube. But as the pandemic took hold, more and more antsy Americans who could work remotely decided to join the vanlife community. That’s sent demand for utility vans, as well as the companies that specialize in converting them into mobile homes, through the roof.
The auto industry has been hit especially hard by the one-two punch of a shortage of vital computer chips that’s hampered production. Even when customers secured a van, delays at ports combined with a labor shortage have slowed the delivery of raw materials needed for the conversion.
A typical van conversion starts starts by gutting a utility van before replacing the interior with the makings of a mobile home: loft beds, mini sinks, toilets, refrigerators and built-in seating. For Cascade Vans, one of the worst shortages has been windows, which are three months to eight months backordered, Alexa Owens, co-founder of Cascade Custom Vans in Bend, Oregon said. Cascade, which is fully booked through the year, anticipates at least another year of supply shortages while vendors play catch-up.
Read the article at CNN Business.
