Top 10 New Vehicles that Languish on Dealer Lots, Fall 2017
Since our previous Top 10 list of new vehicles that languish on dealer lots, published in January 2017, was a popular read, we decided to update the list in order to discover if there are consistencies or wild variations.
Let us remind you that it’s the number of days in inventory reported by automakers of their makes and models. In theory, a high number means a model stagnates and has trouble finding buyers. In these cases, substantial rebates or financial incentives will likely be offered to liquidate inventory. Sometimes, a manufacturer will interrupt production at the assembly plant in order to reduce inventory, temporarily laying off its employees. For example, a number of 100 means it will take one hundred days to sell what’s in stock.
Inversely, a low number of inventory days usually means the model sells well, at the detriment of a wide selection for the consumer. A number of 30 hints that there are just enough vehicles in inventory for a month of sales.
In the United States, the brands that have the smallest inventories are Genesis (22 days in inventory), Subaru (37), BMW (44), MINI (44, Toyota/Scion (48) and Audi (48). Those with the largest number of units in inventory are Fiat (150), Volkswagen (149), Buick (134), Mitsubishi (112) and Lincoln (108). The industry average currently is 71 days, up from 63 in January 2017.
However, this list must be taken with a grain of salt. These numbers reflect the U.S. market, not Canada, and the inventories could differ from one country to another.
10- Volkswagen cars (tie)
The stats for individual Volkswagen car models aren’t available. However, its combined range of cars that includes the Golf, the Jetta, the Passat, the Beetle and the CC has an inventory of 162 days in dealerships.
10- Lincoln Continental (tie)
A brand new model on the market this year, the Continental is already installing itself comfortably on dealer lots with an inventory of 162 days. It might be a strategy by the manufacturer to provide consumers with a wider selection, or the car is having trouble finding its share of buyers. Yet we were surprisingly pleased by this luxury sedan.
8- Buick Cascada
Still not available on the Canadian market, Buick’s little convertible climbs up two ranks compared to the January 2017 list with an inventory of 171 days. Buick announced mild changes to the car for the 2018 model year, so the 2017 edition could be interesting if it’s bundled with generous rebates.
7- Fiat 500
Fiat’s cute little hatchback is gathering dust on dealer lots with an inventory of 173 days. In January 2017, there were enough units piled up in the United States for 124 days. However, an all-new Fiat 500 should appear sometime in 2018, the sales of the 2017 model will be extended through the new year, so this inventory growth could be intentional.
6- Chevrolet Spark
As long as the price of gas is low in the United States, consumers will turn their backs on small cars. The Spark is nonetheless interesting, but it currently has an inventory of 175 days.
5- Buick Regal
The 2018 Buick Regal is not only redesigned, but it will now be offered in five-door sedan and – in the U.S.—in wagon body styles. However, Buick will have its work cut out for it to liquidate the 2017 models that are hanging around on dealer lots, with a current inventory of 183 days.
4- Fiat 500L
The coach potato champ of January 2017 has improved its situation—a little. Its number of inventory days dropped from 225 to 201, which is still a lot.
3- Chevrolet Corvette
Chevy’s flagship sports car seems to have trouble finding buyers, with an inventory of 215 days, or the equivalent of seven months of sales in the United States. Too bad, because the Corvette is one of the best bangs for the buck on the market.
2- Acura RLX
Life isn’t easy for Acura’s big hybrid sedan, with an inventory good for 245 days of sales. Its conservative exterior design and its high price are likely two reasons why the car isn’t selling. A redesigned front fascia for 2018 might help.
1- Buick LaCrosse
With an inventory of 286 days, the LaCrosse sedan—redesigned for 2017—is gathering cobwebs in dealer lots. There are enough units in stock for nine and a half months’ worth of sales. That’s worrysome. However, but for someone who’s interested in buying one, the rebates will probably be very enticing.