As per previous GM Authority coverage, Chevy and GMC inventory levels in December 2022 rose from November 2022 levels. Now, Buick is following suit, and has climbed to more than a 140 days supply in December 2022.
This means that Buick dealers currently have an ample level of inventory to meet consumer demand. On a days supply basis, Buick was the GM brand with the highest level of dealer inventory as of November 2022, as well as the highest of all brands that compete in the U.S. market. Notably, this was also the case in November 2022.
“New-vehicle inventory climbed through December, nearing what used to be considered ‘normal’ levels in the pre-pandemic era,” Cox Automotive senior economist Charlie Chesbrough was quoted as saying in a recent report. “Days of supply at the end of December increased due to production and supply improvements. But sales barely budged.”
As a reminder, a 60 days supply was considered optimal in the U.S. auto industry prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, a 60-day inventory level means that dealerships have enough inventory on-site to sustain current sales volume for roughly the next 60 days.
According to Cox Automotive, inventory levels across the automotive landscape are on the rise and are currently reaching their highest levels since March 2021, as supply levels rose from 1.62 million vehicles in November 2022 to 1.80 million vehicles in December 2022. In fact, December 2022 inventory levels are up 65 percent from December 2021 levels, yet still remain at historic lows. This presents compelling arguments for automakers, including GM, to begin offering more incentives to improve sales figures.
“While new-vehicle supply rose 37 percent since September and is 66 percent above a year ago, the sales pace at the end of December had improved by a scant 2 percent,” said Chesbrough. “If this trend continues – and it seems likely to do so – automakers will be under heavy pressure to move the metal with higher incentives. This will be the story to watch for in the first part of 2023 – automakers returning to discounting.”
It’s worth noting that Buick has a few new products set to launch in the 2023 calendar year, including:
- 2024 Buick Envista
- 2024 Buick Encore GX
- 2024 Buick Envision
All of these models will introduce an all-new generation or a mid-cycle refresh, thereby likely resulting in higher consumer interest and associated demand.
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Comments
Let’s start by dropping the forced OnStar and change warranty back.
That today. Long term, make better products again.
I couldn’t of said it better myself !!!
Why don’t you raise the prices some more. They you might have a 200 day supply.
Hey Mary! Maybe Buick could try designing and building products folks might actually want to buy?
How many models of Buick are made in China and shipped here?? Tomg
One, the Envision
One imported Chinese car too many.
And, if I want a foreign made car, I’ll go to a foreign car dealer.
Buick will start dumping all their imports into fleets soon anyways.
With hardly any US made vehicles anymore, they’ve lost their customer base and loyalty… at least with this former Buick owner.
I’m starting to see Tahoes sitting on lots now. Full Size SUV’s in the GM brand along with the Vette are some of the only vehicles the General is producing without extra incentives. Not surprising that Buick’s numbers are higher since they’re the only brand not to carry a full size SUV. I wish they’d have a Full Size SUV model focused on fighting the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
GM does have a Grand Wagoneer competitor, it’s called the Yukon Denali or Escalade…no need for Buick to have a version as well.
Buick offers nothing but more boring crossovers.
Buick used to build some cool cars.
140 days on dealers lots means that floorplan interest is a big consideration for dealers. Incentives from GM are sure to come so these vehicles can be sold. Also the forced OnStar should be eliminated.
For me to but Chinese car, it will have to be cheaper. Much. All of us have a price where we would. Matter of where it is.
140 days! Even in pre-pandemic days, that was not good. What do they say is the ideal? 60 to 80 days?
So I have the fix for them in 3 simple steps.
1. Add more Onstar services and bump the price to $2,000.
2. Bring 3 more SUV/CUV’s from China for the US Buick stores to sit with.
3. Sit back and watch the money come in.
**All sarcasm of course.**
Try making cars again. It worked pretty good for over 100 years.
Buick sold only 103,468 units in 2022, down from 182,380 in 2021, with a boring lineup, supplies should continue to run at 140 days in 2023. The good news is no dealer markups.
Wouldn’t be shocked or surprised if Buick becomes China-only around 2030.
Maybe it’s because the vehicles they have on the lots are incomplete. This retrofit practice is a joke. You buy a high priced vehicle with a “promise” that every option that it is supposed to have will be installed later. One year later….still waiting.
That should be easy enough, what are they at, like 3 models now? Uncompetitive models. And only SUVs. They have inventory because they don’t sell lol