Incentives and inventories are rising at dealerships, and Ford is cutting back on F150 production at one plant. GM, FCA, and yes, Ford, are adding more models to their SUV and pickup truck lineups. Edmunds forecasts October new car and truck sales will drop 6.8 percent compared to the same month in 2015. But, adds Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell, October’s numbers still tie for the highest monthly sales rate in 2016.
It’s a confusing time. Dealerships are still moving a near-record number of vehicles, however. And demand for dealerships is still robust. That’s one message professionals on a buy/sell panel at the recent American Institute of Certified Public Accountants meeting in Las Vegas made clear. One factor driving the market is the rising cost and complexity of running a dealership, they said. Read more of their wisdom in a story in this issue.
If you are thinking of selling – your dealership, or just more units – making sure the inventory and the facility are shown in the best light adds value. Not all dealership lighting is created equal. In this issue, a Pacific Energy Concepts, a new contributor, lays out some of the lighting options and the pros and cons of each.
Then of course we have Transaction News.
Enjoy!
