U.S. auto gross sales are on a tempo to be down round 16% in June vs. June 2021, forecasters stated. Likewise, U.S. auto gross sales are down round 20% for the second quarter, and down round 19% for the primary half of 2022 vs. a yr in the past, in line with a forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.
That’s not for lack of demand. Analysts blame the drop in gross sales on the continuing scarcity of laptop chips, which in flip is inflicting a drop in auto-factory output. Different potential headwinds to auto gross sales embody rising rates of interest and the worth of fuel, however the chip scarcity is the most important drawback.
In accordance with AutoForecast Solutions, Chester Springs, Pa., the chip scarcity is answerable for reducing North American auto manufacturing by not less than 2.5 million vehicles and vehicles since January 2021.
Predictably, excessive demand and low provide are driving new-vehicle pricing to file highs. In accordance with J.D. Energy, the common new-vehicle transaction value for June is a file $45,844, up $5,806, or 14.5%, vs. a yr in the past.
U.S. seller income are correspondingly excessive. Together with gross revenue on the sale of the car itself, plus extra revenue from finance & insurance coverage, complete retailer revenue per new car for June is an estimated $5,123, in line with J.D. Energy.
That’s a rise of $1,174, or 30%, vs. a yr in the past, and an unprecedented eight out of the final 9 months with the common retailer revenue per unit at or above $5,000, J.D. Energy stated.
Thomas King, president of the info and analytics division at J.D. Energy, stated within the forecast, which was revealed on June 24, that June 2022 could be the eighth consecutive month that retail stock closes under 900,000 items.
For the month of June, J.D. Energy and LMC Automotive stated they count on gross sales of about 1.1 million vehicles and vehicles, down 15.8% vs. a yr in the past. For the second quarter, the forecast predicts gross sales of about 3.5 million, down 20.5%; for the primary half, gross sales of about 6.8 million, down 18.7%.