Buick Running At 120 Days Supply In February 2023
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New vehicle inventory for Buick ran at 120 days supply in February 2023, giving dealers ample vehicles to meet consumer demand. Buick continues to be the GM brand with the highest inventory level relative to sales, a situation that has been ongoing for months.
The new vehicle supply for Buick is approximately double the 60 days supply considered optimal by the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) and other auto retail organizations.
Via Cox Automotive
Tri-Shield inventory has declined somewhat from even higher levels reported in recent months, however. Buick had 125 days supply during January 2023 and was running at over 140 days supply in December.
As Cox Automotive noted in its new-vehicle inventory analysis, published on March 16th, Buick is one of seven automotive brands with more than 100 days supply for February 2023. It was in third place for the month behind Stellantis brands Chrysler – at 133 days supply – and Jeep – with slightly more than 120 days inventory.
Automakers had an average 56 days supply for the month with about 1.8 million total vehicles in inventory. Larger and more expensive vehicles showed signs of accumulating an inventory backlog, while smaller, cheaper vehicles moved quickly off dealer lots and registered far below the average on a days supply basis.
The average is down slightly from January 2023, but has risen sharply year-over-year from February 2023. At that time, the average new vehicle days supply for the U.S. market was 35, 21 days less than now.
With inventory building up and pricier vehicles showing sluggish sales, dealer incentives have reached their highest level over the past 12 months. The average current incentive is 3 percent, an offering not seen since March 2022. However, as Cox notes, this is only a fraction of the 10 percent average incentive typical before COVID-19 disruptions.
Analysts “expect to see incentives rise some, particularly on segments and brands with the heaviest inventories” according to senior economist Charlie Chesbrough. On the flipside, Chesbrough remarked that sales are surprisingly strong considering “continued inflation, especially in the form of high vehicle prices and continually rising interest rates” and other economic factors.
Inventories overall are much smaller than the huge backlogs waiting on dealership lots before 2020’s pandemic. Auto inventory was at 115 days in the final week of February 2019, with 3.78 million vehicles at dealerships, more than double the number of new cars, trucks, and SUVs currently in inventory for the entire U.S. automotive sector.
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This is what you get when you take a very American brand and turn it into an Asian brand with nothing but boxes in the pathetic lineup of 3.
It’s time to put Buick to rest while they still have a shred of dignity left.
Very good analysis Dan B. And if you check, another brand with 120 days of inventory pilling up is Volvo, which is caused by a similar turn into a China brand.
Funny you mention the Volvo’s. I work at a Volvo store and we are seeing a huge buildup of inventories. The deals are starting to hit and soon they will be back to the old fire sale prices.
If you still have a 544, 122S or 164 in stock, forgotten on a back lot, please contact me.
Viking: Let me go check! haha. I can only wish on those.
At least Volvo still offers sedans, unlike Buick. However, a local search shows that there is only one S60 and no S90s available in my area. That lone sedan is white with blacked out trim and wheels (yuck). Also, yes, I am currently driving a Buick sedan (my 3rd one), and looking outside of GM for a replacement for the first time in my life. Even if I did want a crossover, Buicks current offerings don’t interest me in the least. I’d be more likely to buy an XT5 or Acadia.
Avenir: If I may?
Not sure which Buick sedan you drive now, but I’d like to make a recommendation. Don’t ask why I had so many cars in such a short time, but let’s just say it was financially correct for me to do so. Anyhow, I had a 2020 Cadillac CT4 and a 2021 Volvo S60 sedan at the same time. I loved the Cadillac and really liked the Volvo too. Sold them both for a profit. However, when I did that, the inventory of cars was really bad and I ended up with a 2021 Malibu. You may find it difficult to believe, but of the three I liked the Malibu the best. It had more room than the others, was more comfortable to drive, as quiet as them both and got the best MPG to boot.
I’d recommend looking for a new Malibu. Don’t under-cut how nice they are.
I’m driving a 2017 Lacrosse Premium. I’ve actually given some thought to the Malibu. I rented a Malibu a few years back (current bodystyle, but pre MCE) and it was unimpressive, but it was also very basic rental spec example. I won’t consider one without the 2.0T/9-speed, and there are still a dwindling handful of 2022 Premiers with that setup left on the lots. I owe it to myself to check one out, but I’ve also been hesitating due to the lower level of equipment like lack of head up display, fog lamps, cornering lamps, rear window sunshade or the mirrors that tilt down towards the curb when in reverse.
Mine was an LT (middle level) with the 1.5 and CVT. Personally, I can’t stand the 9 speed’s, so for me the setup I had was perfect. In the past I’ve never been a big fan of the CVT’s, but they have improved so much and after driving two separate XT4’s (brand new loaner cars) with the 2.0 and 9 speed, I would never want that setup. It’s not the 2.0 I dislike. It was that busy and indecisive 9 speed that I hated. Not only that, but I’m more about MPG than power, and you just can’t get much better than the one I had for great fuel economy but with more than adequate preformance.
Not a reason to cut the brand, but, rather, a reason to bear down and adjust things. I was happy to read that Buick has improved, going from a 140-day supply in December, to 125 days in January, then to 120 in February. Hopefully, they can keep improving. Also, the new 2024 Encore GX will be out in May, followed by the Buick Envista.
Christopher: I will give you this. You are always the optimist when it comes to Buick. I also used to be, but have totally given up on that brand. But to what you say: In the market that we live in today when so many are having a hard time even getting a vehicle, you are happy that Buick has “improved” to 120 supply? That’s true optimism!
As for the “new” Encore coming out. You mean the one that looks way worse than the one being replaced? And Envista? Still on the crossover line, but at least it’s looking more car-like than the other blobs Buick has now. So I’m truly happy that you are taking up where I used to be with Buick, as I feel it’s a brand that deserves so much more than they have now. But I’m no longer waving the pom-poms for them any more.
Hi Dan. Thank you for your kindness and politeness. It may be bad, but it’s not as bad as before LOL Besides, if I were to be negative toward Buick, what would that lead to? Negative results, which I don’t want. I do hope they give more product and sincere attention and equal support to Buick, for sure. Because GM Design has recently shown two images for a large Buick (could be a two-door or four-door), as well as the Wildcat Concept, I can’t help but feel that, maybe — just maybe — they will come out with a car that you want. For me, I like the 2024 Encore GX in Avenir trim (especially in Moonstone Gray Metallic or White Frost Tricoat) and my husband likes it too. Yippee! If it’s too small for my Brother to get in and out of the back seat, then we will likely move up to the 2024 Buick Envision. I think the Enclave is just too big for us.
Buicks have very good reliability and build quality, too. See the most recent J.D. Power and Consumer Reports surveys.
The reliability above Chevrolet that Buick does have can only be explained by a client base that takes better care of their vehicles (older people) as they’re mechanically the same as some other Chevy.
I do like the discontinued Regal GS. Wish it had more power but that was their last hope.
Very poor regard for the brand inside of GM. They keep building product that no one would want. For example, they build Buick Envision Avenir models that have no rear cross traffic alert, no side blind spot monitoring, no functioning head-up display and still want to charge $48,500. I wouldn’t buy a car without these features period! I guess they figured they had to keep the Chinese working regardless of whether they have the chips or not. Fill the dealer lots with these white elephants and then moan they can’t sell them.
Is it possible Buick’s announcement of going all electric is a real downer for *real* Buick Enclave lovers?
Not surprised, many Buick buyers want sedans. But Queen Mary says no, thou shalt all drive SUV’s!
A large dealer in Mississauga Canada tell me they can not get Buicks please send them to Canada
Keeping Buick was a proper decision. China – like it or not – is now the biggest car market in the world. Buick was known there WAY before the Revolution, was, and is, a revered brand there.
As for Pontiac and Olds, at most it was the world’s motorheads who even knew the brand name at all. As for the US market, Olds, Pontiac, and Buick lost any market or target differentiation decades ago. I’m old enough to remember when automatic transmissions meant 2-speed PowerGlides in Chevies, stepless Dynaflows in Buicks, and 4-speed Hydramatics in Pontiacs. Engines were different. Suspensions were different. That all went away.
GM made the right decision.
It’s all self induced with these manufacturers. When you try to milk more money out of the consumer by discontinuing more inexpensive models, you get a back log of vehicles people don’t want and/or can’t afford.
And keep building vehicles regardless of whether you have the chips to include basic things like side blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, or head up display. There are a lot of Envision Avenir models on the lot stickering for $48,500 without these features. I wouldn’t buy a $30,000 vehicle without these features today!
Too bad but buicks best seller, an awesome car is the envision but only made in china is the problem!Buick is going like Saturn , the only real buick is the Enclave but its expensive and low volume.Buick was only kept in 2009 due to sales in china, maybe pontiac should have stayed in the US
1. Buick has ranked higher than Toyota in nearly every scientific quality survey for years.
2. When you compare actual resale, Toyota has no advantage over gm vehicles. Look at the fine print on “resale” reports. It compares resale from MSRP, not purchase price. Toyota markets close to MSRP while gm’s marketing has always been to get a “deal” from the dealer as well as a big rebate on top (until covid). For instance if you buy a $60K Tundra for $58K and sell it in 3 years for $40K you lost $20K (remember resale from MSRP – real loss $18K). While at Chevy the $60K Silverado dealer will (normally in the past) deal down to $55K plus a $8K rebate (Price $47K). Three years later sale at $38K. The resale loss will show at $22K while it is actually $9K. The resale reporting is a joke until they go from purchase price. Watch gm’s resale value soar when the last two years start showing up – you know, when they sold at or above MSRP.
Build an American Buick sedan.. like the full size Lucerne.
Reno: I am absolutely so happy to see someone else that gets it. I’ve been in this business for just over 22 years now. I started in sales on the bottom level. I’ve worked up to management, been in parts/service for a short time and now an assistant fleet director. In all this time, I’ve been with Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Honda, Chevy, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep and now Mazda and Volvo. I’ve sold nearly every brand vehicle used outside of RR, Bentley, Ferrari and maybe a couple more exotics. From the first time I set foot in that first dealership in 1988 and began to sell the GM’s along side Honda’s, I’ve never stopped saying the exact same thing you just said. Resale value can NOT be compared to MSRP!! Not only that, but my vast experience has proven time and again that the import brands (yes, Honda and Toyota included) have always been more expensive to drive over the course of 100K than the Chevy’s, Buick’s and Dodge. So thank you for your post.
Easy there…Toyota and Honda are imports? I hope you’re not implying that Buicks are domestic? Aren’t all the top selling Toyota (Camry, Tundra, Highlander, RAV4) and Honda models (Accord, Pilot, etc.) made domestically, and the top Buick sellers imported from Asia?
And if this math is true why all the stories, for decades, about lease payments being lower on Toyota and Honda because the residuals are higher?
Sorry not4one: Unless you’re in this business and know what I know, then you may wish to re-think your waiving the pom-poms for your Japanese brands. First, take note that I above and always refer to import or American brands. That is 100% correct in referring to Toyota, Honda and the others in terms of being import brands. Last time I checked, Japan is not part of the USA and those brands are from Japan no matter where they are assembled. And yes, although most of the (3) Buicks sold today are assembled outside the US, it’s still an American brand. Stop coming up with stories to justify your purchase or fondness of those import brands.
And if you knew anything about how this business works, you would know that Toyota and Honda (all brands) set their residual values. I’ve worked with Honda for 12 long years and it was common knowledge that they set super high residuals in order to brag and give lower lease payments. But there’s a problem in all that. When these leases ended, the cars are (were) never worth anywhere what the “residual” said.
In my opinion, they are an ABINO (American Brand in Name Only). Shame on them for only assembling only one automobile in the United States. Wouldn’t be upset if they join Pontiac and Saturn.
Cigna: I will agree with that. And if you look at what I say, one of the reasons why I feel Buick is doing so poorly is because they are not assembling everything in the US.
I’m not in the business. Just pointing out that as a simple fact the cars you referred to as imports are generally made in the US. So, it’s a bit ingenuous to refer to them as import brands when the products aren’t imports. Unlike Buick which imports most of its vehicles. To describe Buick as American (vs import) is to buy into the very mythology that Buick would have you believe…it gives them an entirely undeserved platform.
As for realistic residuals, it is difficult to comprehend why leaders of banks and auto finance units, incentivized with annual bonuses, would choose to set “super high residuals in order to brag and give lower lease payments” at the expense of a missed residual. And then do it over and over again for decades?
not4one: Everything you just said shows that you are in fact not in this business. I’m certainly not saying that what car companies do always makes sense. In fact, I’d say much of what they do make little sense. Anyhow, by attempting to remove the country of origin for brands such as Toyota, you are trying to change history and facts that you can’t change. Just like Toyota assembling vehicles in the US doesn’t make them American, nor does Buick assembling vehicles in partnering countries make them not-American. You don’t get to re-write history or change the country of origin.
As for the residuals? Yes, it is a very stupid move and yes companies (especially the Japanese brands) have been doing this forever. Keep in mind that many of these companies own/operate their own lending arm. In fact, Toyota Financial is a huge business within the Toyota Motor Company. They, along with Honda, have been the two worst offenders in setting unrealistic residuals while using those same numbers for bragging. It was quite common when I was with the dealer that sold GM along side Honda where a 3 year old Honda lease would come in and was worth 3 to 5,000 LESS than the residual. We just did the paperwork and sent the cars back to Honda where they would take the hit. It was also common for Honda to, in turn, sell those cars to us (for resale as a used car) at much less than the stated residual value.
Agree, the history is the history. But, interpretation is a personall thing. I will say that years ago in Europe, I was a Ford Scorpio (meh car) and Opel Omega (not bad) owner and I never once considered them US imports. They were built in Germany or Belgium or the UK (not sure) and they were straight up competitors to Peugoet, Renault and VW. Never thought of where the Board room was. I just don’t know that consumers outside of the business see the distinction that you see. Many see a Buick built in China and a Toyota built in Kentucky….and that’s the end of the analysis…they don’t know where those brands came from.
On the other item, we used to have a financial business that had a model to solve residual problems for auto credit companies. The biggest issues brought our way were marginal luxury brands…Jags, Lincolns had big gaps to solve and then small numbers (a couple hundred at a time) across many other mainstream brands, but no Japanese-based brands.
Where it is built has zero impact on its sales smart guy, no one buying pretty much any vehicle has any clue where it is built at. So take your star spangled awesome self somewhere else with that false information.
Really Commonsense? Not sure who you were responding to, but you are wrong.
Keep talking surveys and clinics and all the other B.S. The simple fact with Buick is that there is no choice. Do you want a small blob, a medium blob, or a big blob that isn’t really big? No style, no choice and no distinctiveness. Will someone at the RenCen or Tech Center please wake up and put a sedan back in the line up? Buick has a very proud history. Build on that, don’t wipe it out!!
ACZ: Amen to that.
What the heck is wrong with this site. I’ll try this yet again.
Bill, this is NOT about EV’s. It’s about a lot of things GM has done wrong with Buick, but it’s not about EV.
OK, for most of 2022 Buick dealers had limited supply of Envisions. China had a zero covid policy and this reduced the availability of this vehicle. My local Buick dealer in 2022, when he would get a few Envisions; his inventory was sold very quickly. Now that the zero covid policy is no longer in effect and it also seems that shipping has normalized, this same Buick dealer has received a lot of Buick Envisions in 1st quarter of 2023 and this included roughly about a dozen Avenir’s. And looking at his Envision inventory last night, it seems that these Envisions received in the first quarter are still all there on his lot. Now, I think that some of this is due to the Fed Reserve and the overall effects of raising interest rates on both the housing markets and on a $48000 Buick Envision Avenir with AWD. But it seems that the 3.9% ‘financing deal’ that GM dealers have to help move these vehicles isn’t enough.
doubletime: I can’t say 100% for sure with Buick, but speaking from a dealer’s perspective in general, you are correct. But it’s also more in Buick’s case. I feel confident in saying the following are killing Buick sales:
1. No sedans.
2. Too few models to sell (only 3 at this time!!).
3. Too much of what they do sell is not produced in the states.
4. Too expensive.
5. Zero EV’s.
Then add all the things you just listed. Which ties back into number 4. Take a $48,000 Envision and add tax and fees, then the interest rate, along with zero good lease deals and you spell disaster for Buick.
Nobody should be buying the Chinese-made Envision, it’s bad enough its imported from China and its priced too high. In fact, it should not be sold in the America at all.
Thank you, Mary Barra, for making this brand irrelevant.
Don’t forget about the mandatory extra cost of the Onstar contract built into the Sticker on the Buicks. Also, why would you buy a Buick now with a reduced Bumper to Bumper Warranty? My 2019 Buick Encore has a 4 yr, 50000 mile Bumper to Bumper warranty. The 2020 and up were reduced to 3 yr 36000 like the Chevys.
I drive a 2019 Envision Esssence. I really do like the vehicle. It listed for some over $39,000 and I paid $31,000. The same vehicle today is around $43,000. The manufacturers and dealers wanting sticker price is killing sales.