Over the course of the past two months, Buick dealer inventory levels across the United States stood well above the industry average, at 106 days supply in both November 2023 and December 2023. Now, the Tri-Shield brand’s inventory jumped sharply during January 2024 to stand high above the rest of GM’s U.S-market brands.
According to a report from Cox Automotive, Buick inventory levels stood at 119 days supply as of January 2024, while the industry average was 80. This means that at the current sales pace, there is enough inventory on dealership lots to last for 119 days. Notably, a 60 days supply mark is generally considered optimal in the automotive industry. In comparison to the rest of General Motors’ U.S.-market brands, Buick was ranked on top as Cadillac, Chevy, GMC, stood at 60, 81, and 83 days of supply, respectively.
It’s worth noting that these all figures are related to the U.S. market.
This drastic rise in inventory levels comes during an interesting time, as General Motors has been taking actions that would normally reduce inventory across all its U.S. brands. In regard to Buick specifically, most facilities were closed towards the end of the 2023 calendar year in observance of the holidays, while the Detroit-based automaker also closed many plants for an extra week due to various maintenance projects. Due to this, most would expect inventory figures to drop, not rise.
That being said, these decisions likely weren’t made to address the surplus inventory itself. However, production of the 2024 Buick Enclave has ended at the GM Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan, while the start of regular production of the 2025 Enclave is still unknown at this point. This should contribute to reducing Buick’s current 119 days supply figure moving forward.
As reference, this study was based on the daily sales rate for the most recent 30-day period – which in this case ended on February 5th, 2024. Over this timeframe, January 2024 sales rose nine percent on a year-over-year basis for a total sales pace of 15 million units.
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Comments
As they say, math was never my strong point. But how is it that Buick sales are up some incredible percentage in Q42023 yet the inventory on the lots is increasing? Is GM just dumping some over-production onto Buick?
Chinese and South Korean factories pouring them out.
If I recall correctly, the planned production shutdowns were mostly at US factories with the Spring Hill Tennessee factory being one of them. Buicks lineup is mostly Korean and Chinese built cars so I don’t think Buick was even affected by any of these shutdowns except for the Enclave and with the new one coming out whats left is mostly surplus needing to be sold at clearance.
They’re refusing to make any deals on the 2023-2024 Enclave. I know — been reaching out to dealers trying to negotiate a favorable deal based on current and trending prices, plus the need to clear inventory. No one is willing to budge. Dealers still seem to think it’s 2021-2022 and are willing to die on that hill.
I say, fine, let them. The vehicles can rot on the lot for all I care. I’m in no hurry. We’ll see if I pick up their desperate calls in 2-3 months asking me to buy. My guess is I won’t be interested anymore.
It’s the same story with all automakers. They all got fat and greedy during the pandemic, gouging buyers to death and they just can’t seem to let that go. You hear about incentives, but they aren’t making their way to buyers. Except for subsidized interest rates and deferred payments, both of which I could care less about.
I work at Weld County Garage Buick GMC in northern Colorado, if you are looking for a deal. Look me up, I’m the new car manager and we have fifteen 2024 Buick Enclave models priced well below invoice at discounts up to $4,000 off before applying GM Rebates.
I have the same circumstances here in Ontario Canada.
I have no interest in Asian built vehicles…Buick had some decent vehicles that were euro designed…i.e. Regal GS but now seemed focused on Asian oriented products….
Love my 2016 Regal GS… best car I have ever owned. Has that European nimble feel.
Something is wrong when Kia is building cars in South Carolina and Buicks building them in Korea.
Tariffs. If they’re not built in the country the carmaker also sells in, not necessarily the same model, there are additional tariffs levied.
South Korea actually has a free trade agreement with the US. Its not so much tariffs in the case of Korea but more it being cheaper to ship parts on a container ship than wholly built automobiles on a Ro-Ro vessel especially when certain cars like the Telluride (the Kia I am assuming you are referring to) are aimed mostly to the US market. Its the same reason why despite tariffs, GM imports the Envision from China because its a model focused on the Chinese market so for the time being, it doesn’t pay to build it here. Unless suddenly it becomes super popular then it may make more sense.
No they don’t. They have 1 plant in Georgia and Hyundai has broken ground on an EV vehicle plant in Savanna.
And the China government using Buicks!
The Buick users were the emperors from when China (back when it was the Republic of China) was basically mainland Taiwan. I doubt they use Buicks to this day. The vehicle of choice now are Hongqis.
Maybe if they had something customers wanted, inventories wouldn’t be building.
Well, Buick sold more than Chrysler, Genesis, or Acura in the last year.
That’s comparing nothing to nothing.
So do you go and make negative comments in their forums, too?
Nobody asked you.
And Volvo believe it or not.
Sales may be up, but, not enough to cover new inventory being shipped to dealers. Prices are also up so that “normal” customers are looking elsewhere for cars at a lower price. I see incentives coming soon, because the next years models will be arriving in a few months.
Once again Buick not supporting the dealers. Seeing the net results in the market. Pulled out of auto shows, dialing back on all support for that matter. Good luck selling a back logged vehicles if your brand has low awareness and is not where the consumers shop.