March 2024 New Car Insights

  • Strong February sales drew down inventory to 76 days’ supply
  • Average listing price was $47,285
    • Up 0.6% from a year ago
  • Discounts and incentives in February averaged 5.9% of ATP
    • Up from 5.7% in January and significantly higher than the average 3.1% recorded in February one year ago

3-Month Sales Trend*

MonthAvg. Daily Retail Sales
December52,500
January43,200
February50,000

Average Transaction Price*

MonthAmount
December$48,759
January$47,401
February$47,285

Days’ Supply*

Month# of Days
December70
January80
February76

Daily Holding
Cost Per New Car*

MonthAmount
December$7.71
January$7.69
February$7.60

Dealer Profit
Per New Car**

MonthAmount
December$2,729
January$2,817
February$2,574

OEM Days’ Supply*

Rebates & Incentives

  • Latest News
    • Average Blended Incentive is $2,808, trending up $500 over the past 6 months.
    • With inventories rising and interest rates not falling, we should expect to see a large increase in cash incentive programs in the next 3-6 months.
  • Full-Size Pick-up Segment
    • Sales have increased as incentives have started to rise. 
    • Slight trend up in February, which is traditionally one of the lowest sales months of the year.
  • Compact SUV Segment
    • Incentive offers are starting to rise as inventory levels and sales start to level off. 
  • Compact Sedan Segment
    • Incentive offers have been lowered, despite inventory levels rising.
  • Mid-Size SUV Segment
    • Inventory and sales amount have begun to level off while incentive offers continue to climb to drive sales.
  • Mid-Size Sedan Segment
    • Inventory levels have stabilized due to increase in incentive offers.
  • Electric Vehicle Segment
    • Continues to have a high active supply with comparative low sales and large incentive offers.
“New-vehicle affordability improved in the consumer’s favor again last month. Income growth continued and both the average new-vehicle price and the average interest rate declined.”

Jonathan Smoke, Cox Automotive Chief Economist

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Sources:

* Cox Automotive Insights
** J.D. Power