Hyundai Casper Delivery Wait Hits 28 Months, Longer Than a Soldier's Service

The Hyundai Casper, a compact car, is experiencing such prolonged delivery delays that it's being humorously compared to waiting for a child born after enlistment. The "delivery delay notice" is the first thing customers see on the Casper's online site.

The 2027 Casper Electric Premium trim has a 28-month wait, with other trims like Inspiration and Cross at 24 months, and the top Lounge trim at 18 months. Even the 2026 models had similar waiting periods.

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The car that comes out later than your son who went to the military.

Production is handled entirely by Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), which surpassed 250,000 cumulative units produced in just under five years. The Casper Electric, known as the 'Inster' in Europe, has gained popularity there, leading to exports significantly outnumbering domestic sales. In 2023, 73% of GGM's 58,400 units were exported to 66 countries, with only 15,799 units sold domestically.

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If you sign up before enlisting, you get the car when you're discharged.

Industry insiders suggest that increasing production is challenging due to low profit margins on light vehicles and the need for labor union agreement for production line expansion. GGM aims to increase hourly production from 26.7 to 29.5 units for its 2024 target of 61,200 units.

Consumers awaiting the Casper Electric are turning to alternatives like the Kia Ray EV, which has a 10-month wait, or the BYD Dolphin, which offers competitive pricing and shorter delivery times. However, domestic electric cars like the Casper are still favored for their quality and after-sales service.

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Light cars do not have high profit margins, so there is a burden to increase production arbitrarily. Expanding the production line also requires consultation with the labor union.