Photo by chuttersnap
Earlier this week, I mentioned in a Patreon post that if you’re plotting to buy a radio or other consumer electronics currently in development or production in China, expect delays.
Due to the spread of the Coronavirus, a number of factories have been shut down and production effectively frozen since the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Some companies are attempting to slowly bring operations back to normal levels, but progress is unstable to say the least.
I’ve spoken with a couple of friends who work in the radio and consumer electronics industry in China and both have expressed serious concerns regarding new product timelines this year. Both noted that there’s no need for alarm or panic at this point, but consumer expectations should simply be in-check as the situation unfolds.
In the meantime, expect recently announced products to take longer to hit the market.
The Tecsun PL-990
I would not be surprised, for example, if the Tecsun PL-990, Tecsun H-501, Eton Satellit Elite, and Icom IC-705 are all delayed a few weeks or even months. Much depends on where each product was in the design, development, or production process when factories were closed.
It’s also possible if your regional retailers and distributors run out of product inventory, it could take an an extended time to replenish stock.
Again, there’s no need to panic about product availability at this point, just anticipate delays!
Post readers: Has this situation already had a direct impact on you? Please comment.
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I wouldn’t expect the ICOM IC-705 to be delayed by the Coronavirus. Icom is a rare example of an electronics manufacturer that has not shifted production to lower cost countries, but kept its production base 100% in Japan. Japan has not been as affected by the virus as has China.
Depends on their supply chain in the longer-term, which is probably global. It’s difficult to make a radio if you run out of capacitors because they’re sourced from China and nothing’s getting through.
It may be built in Japan, but a number of components are made in China. The Japanese auto industry and a number of others have been hit, because the supply chain has been interrupted. Icom as well.
Amazing how most of our products, especially electronics, come from China. Was at Shoprite recently and bought toothpicks, made in China. Who would’ve thought we don’t make toothpicks anymore in the US. The repercussions of an epidemic in China will have a serious effect on goods in this country. It’s frightening. I hope this disease does not continue to spread.
Think I was slightly ahead of you with my own post: http://vp9kf.com/blog/2020/02/04/going-to-buy-something-do-it-now/ There are a couple of COVID-19 tracking sites, but they certainly don’t agreed and probably aren’t close to the real picture. But you can try:
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 and
https://vac-lshtm.shinyapps.io/ncov_tracker/ (London School of Health and Tropical Medicine)
Hi, Paul–Actually, I meant to note that you too had mentioned this! I posted this in a bit of haste prior to some travels this morning. Thanks for the links.
Cheers,
Thomas