CDK Outage Warped Days’ Supply
Cox data crunching shows near-record inventory total.
Though the supply is up 110% year-over-year, obviously abnormal for any time of year, it should normalize in the next couple of months.
Pexels/Kelly
The CDK Global dealership software outage dramatically inflated days’ supply last month, along with affecting sales, new data show.
The disruption, which impacted thousands of dealerships across the country that conducted business without dealer-management system access and other tech tools, clearly put the brakes on sales, according to Cox Automotive figures.
New-vehicle days’ supply started July, just before CDK brought most of its dealer customers back online, to 116 days. Cox says that’s one of the highest days’ supply ever, lower only than that of April 2020, just after pandemic lockdowns began. June opened at 81 days’ supply.
That’s up 110% year-over-year and obviously abnormal for any time of year, Cox pointed out, but it said the metric should normalize as CDK fully restores its various software systems.
In addition to the shutdown, Cox said extreme summer weather events and power outages in some areas may also have dampened sales, including in Houston, which it said is one of the biggest U.S. automotive markets.
Total U.S. inventory ended June at 2.9 million, up 52% year-over-year, Cox said.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry
Philly Family Sells Stores
The Hills are exiting the automotive retail market after serving the Philadelphia area for more than 30 years.
Read More →
Automakers Must Switch Routes to Compete With China
An analysis of the ascendant players’ increasing market share and how they got there advises Western OEMs to follow a similar playbook to protect their businesses.
Read More →
Managing Expectations
Learn how proactive communication, setting clear expectations, and providing solutions when plans change can strengthen customer trust and improve the overall service experience.
Read More →
Hawkeye State Dealerships Trade Hands
One auto group and a single store sell as part of a recent deluge of U.S. buy-sell transactions making 2026 a hot M&A year.
Read More →
Mainstay Georgia Auto Group Sells
Acquisition by Group 1 extends its presence in the U.S. luxury retail market with the addition of the 10-store stable.
Read More →
New Auto Group Enters the Market
The Iowa transaction involved a Chevrolet GMC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram rooftop.
Read More →
Connection Drives Consideration
Convenience and safety are top priorities for American drivers when it comes to connected vehicles and the services they expect with their next car.
Read More →
New-Vehicle Prices Stay Put
Affordability pressures and model availability shaped new-vehicle sales in September, according to an analysis by Kelley Blue Book.
Read More →
EV Buyer Consideration Shifts
What drives American consumers to purchase an electric vehicle is shifting as the question moves away from Should I?' to 'Which features and experience do I want to have?'
Read More →
Auto Nameplate Loyalty Holds in Tough Times
Consumers have been faithful to brands despite financial pressures, and JD Power says that’s because automakers have made some wise moves.
Read More →