Feb. 21, 2014—U.S. auto dealers continued a steady four-year growth trend in 2014, averaging 874 new-vehicle sales per dealer, according to industry consulting group Urban Science’s Automotive Franchise Activity Report.
Those numbers mark the fourth straight year of record-setting growth, according to Edmonds.com, and demonstrates the strength of the industry’s rebound from a low point of 564 new-vehicle sales per dealership in 2009.
“Over the last five years, the dealership network has set a new normal pattern," said John Frith, vice president of Urban Science. "Maintaining this very conservative rate has allowed the U.S. network to continue its impressive increase in sales per dealer, creating a healthy and right-sized retail structure that benefits the dealers and automakers."
As of Jan. 1, there were 17,838 dealerships in the U.S., according to Urban Science’s report, which is a 0.1 percent decrease from a year ago. There has also been a 0.5 percent decrease in the number of brands sold, which is due in part to the closing of 220 Suzuki franchises, Urban Science says.
