Q4 2017 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index findings
Dealers still optimistic on pre-owned car sales
Wednesday December 13, 2017
Article Highlights
- Dealers are still feeling relatively optimistic about their used-car operations. And for independents, in particular, they’re starting to see some relief from supply shortages — albeit in the form of pricier units.
- In general, the feeling was slightly less optimistic than it was in the third quarter, but not drastically so — and, by the way, it's still above average.
- In a separate analysis, Cox Automotive estimated that there was a 4-percent decrease in retail used-car sales last month. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate for used-car sales was softer at 34 million units, but the company still anticipates full-year sales to reach 39.1 million, which would be a nearly 2-percent hike.
Dealers are still feeling relatively optimistic about their used-car operations. And for independents, in particular, they’re starting to see some relief from supply shortages — albeit in the form of pricier units.
As part of the fourth quarter Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index, franchised and independent dealers were asked for their thoughts on the current used-car sales environment.
In general, the feeling was slightly less optimistic than it was in the third quarter, but not drastically so — and, by the way, it’s still above average.
Overall, dealers scored the current used-car sales environment at 55 on a scale from zero (poor) to 100 (good), with 50 being average. That’s down from 57 last quarter.