Buick dealer inventory skyrocketed in November 2024, climbing to an extremely high 128 days supply, over twice the 60 days supply that automakers and analysts consider to be the optimal inventory level for dealerships.
This number from the latest report by Cox Automotive on the subject represents a steep increase in Buick inventory even from October, when the Tri-Shield already had 104 days supply piled up on dealer lots.
This information appears to signal that supply of new Buick vehicles is outpacing sales, indicating high production, low demand for the brand’s lineup, or both. Two models have under 128 days supply, the Buick Envista and Buick Encore GX, likely meaning these nameplates are selling better than the brand average.
Two others have more than 128 days in inventory, the Buick Envision and Buick Enclave. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the nameplates with lower supply are those with starting MSRP below $28,000. Those with larger amounts of unsold inventory building up have higher prices, in the $30,000 or $40,000 range.
Meanwhile, in the overall U.S. auto market, days supply is decreasing even as the absolute numbers of vehicle units in dealer inventory rise. About 3.15 million vehicles were in dealer stock during November 2024, the highest number since 2020. However, days supply fell to 85 on average, down from a revised 90 days supply in October, showing the vigor and high volume of current year-end sales.
Japanese brands continue to sell very well, resulting in lower days supply for these imported vehicles. Some individual models have inventory as low as 35 days supply. American automakers’ offerings are selling at a slower pace, though here, too, sales are looking positive for most brands.
Cox analyst Erin Keating notes that several factors are contributing to “good news” in the auto sector, with improving wages, lower financing costs, and more incentives and deals “signaling that affordability is improving even if prices remain high.”
Prices are still inching upward but sales are rising faster, with full-size SUVs and pickups expected see greater success in the coming year – though Buick lacks such models and won’t directly benefit from that specific trend.
Comments
Is this a failure to advertise aggressively? The products are efficient, high quality, technology filled, beautiful and modern…is Buick becoming a GM stepchild? The potential is enormous. Come on Americans, enough with the needless anti-American bias. Buy a Buick for Christmas!
The only ‘American’ vehicle Buick makes is the Enclave.
Idiots are stopping production of the Caddy XT5
Guess I am done with GM
Buick is just pricing the Enclave out of reach of most Americans. Very sad for sure.
Based on the number of higher trim Grand Highlanders and RXs that I see, those have no problem selling at similar price points. The Enclave itself may not be seen as premium product that gm wants it to be.
Given Buick’s boring lineup of 4 Milk Trucks. 128-day inventory level will be normal for Buick. Buick is lucky it’s not higher.
Maybe Buick’s inventory level will drop if they bring back sedans, since their 4 Milk Trucks are not in demand.