ATLANTA — According to the Q3 2019 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index, U.S. automobile dealers view the current market as negative, with an index score of 48.

Analysts noted the slight decrease from Q2’s score of 49 was not statistically significant. The index reading of 48 indicates that slightly more dealers feel that the current market is weak compared to the number who feel the current market is strong.

In many measures, however, the assessment of the U.S. auto market depends on what type of dealer you ask. Franchised auto dealers expressed a mostly positive view of the market. Independent dealers offered a different perspective.

Franchised dealers, for example, feel the current market is strong, with an index score of 56, a two-point increase from Q2. Independent dealers, on the other hand, feel the current market is weak, with an index score in Q3 of 46, a two-point decrease from Q2.

Expectations for the next quarter differ between the two groups as well. Franchised dealers continue to believe the market will remain strong, with an index score of 57. Independent dealers, conversely, expect the market to be weak in the next quarter. Their expectations score fell below 50 for only the second time since the CADSI began in Q2 2017.

“Sentiment consistently skews more positive for franchises compared to independents.”

For both groups, expectations for the future market are down from Q2 but still positive. The overall index score fell to 51 in Q3, below last year and last quarter. The decline in expectations was statistically significant from last quarter’s score of 55.

“Dealers are becoming less optimistic as they consider the future,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “We also continue to see a big difference in outlook by type of dealer, as sentiment consistently skews more positive for franchises compared to independents.”

When asked about factors holding back their businesses, dealers in aggregate reported no change from Q2 to Q3. “Market conditions” remained in the top spot as the most cited negative factor for both groups. “Competition” held in second place. “Limited inventory” remained No. 3, followed by “credit availability for consumers” and “expenses.”

Limited inventory and credit availability was more of a concern for independent dealers. Twenty-two percent of franchised dealers cited “staff turnover” as a top-five factor compared with only 5% of independent dealers.

Both groups said costs continue to rise but agreed the threat of tariffs on imported vehicles and parts impacting their profitability is their most negative concern. Overall, only 8% of automobile dealers in the U.S. believe tariffs will have a positive impact on business profitability. Conversely, nearly six in 10 franchised dealers believe the impact will be negative. Independent dealers are more likely to see tariffs as having no impact on their business.

For the first time, dealers participating in the quarterly CADSI survey were asked about the state of the U.S. economy. On this front, there was perfect alignment between franchised and independent dealers. Both groups had an index score of 55, meaning more dealers feel the current U.S. economy is strong compared to the number who feel the current economy is weak.

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Read: Dealer Sentiment ‘Remarkably Stable’ Despite Traffic, Profits