2 Min ReadJune 2, 2025

Inventory Dip Alters One Crucial Metric in May

Inventory Dip Alters One Crucial Metric in May

Inventory picked up slightly in May but still remains lower than what was witnessed last year. Overall, shoppers are just as happy as they were last month and more than they were last year. Nine out of 10 (90%) said it was easy to purchase a car in May, the same number as April. And many other metrics we track each month in our Ease of Purchase Scorecard remained the same or increased compared to last month. 

But one metric saw a significant drop. 

It was harder for car buyers to find the car they wanted. That number fell from 80% in April to just 74% in May. It’s also down from May 2024’s 79%. The industry was happy with robust inventories early in the year, but the tightening of inventories from tariff pressures and people pulling up purchase decisions earlier in the year is clearly having an impact. 

Inventory Dip Alters One Crucial Metric in MayAnd while the number of dealerships consumers had to visit remained steady from last month’s jump, how they acquired their vehicle did change. 

Less than half of respondents (49%) said they found the car they wanted in stock, down from 53% last month and significantly lower than the 59% in January. More people bought their car in transit to the dealership, 22% up from 20% in April. With the biggest increase coming from factory orders, up from 16% in April to 20% this month. 

Inventory Dip Alters One Crucial Metric in MayThe struggle to find the perfect car was offset by steadiness or gains in other parts of the purchase process. The most surprising was the test drive, up to 82% in May from 80% in April. Generally, we see that score fall as inventory restricts. 

Other areas seeing gains were:

  • Discussing and agreeing on a final price: 65%
  • Applying for credit: 67%
  • Taking delivery: 77%

Despite strength in a majority of the purchase process, shoppers said it took longer to buy a car in May than they were expecting. Nearly a third (31%) said they spent more time at the dealership than they expected, up from 28% in March but still an improvement over last May’s 34%. 

Inventory Dip Alters One Crucial Metric in May

As automakers shift production plans due to the current tariff environment, it’s likely we’ll continue to see shoppers on the hunt more than they’ve been used to in recent times. It’ll be interesting to see if dealers can continue to maintain the strength in the rest of their operations if the inventory crunch stretches on. 

Share This

David Thomas
By David Thomas
Director, Content

David Thomas is director of content marketing and automotive industry analyst at CDK Global. He champions thought leadership across all platforms, connecting CDK’s vast expertise to the broader market and trends driving our industry forward. David has spent nearly 20 years in the automotive world as a product evaluator, journalist and marketer for brands like Autoblog, Cars.com, Nissan and Harley-Davidson.

Recent Insights

Hectic EV Rush Doesn't Hurt Buying Experience

Hectic EV Rush Doesn't Hurt Buying Experience

September saw a rush of buyers trying to snap up EVs before federal incentives expired, but the frenetic pace at...
2 Min ReadOct 1David Thomas
Twenty Twenty Five C D K Dealership Workplace Study.

Where Dealership Employees Stand During Uncertain Times

The automotive industry is often defined by inventory, margins and market shifts, but the real engine driving dealership success is...
1 Min ReadSep 24CDK Global
Three Ways Community Dealers Stand Apart.

3 Ways Community Dealers Stand Apart

The automotive retail industry is as diverse as any other in the United States. There are large, publicly traded operators...
3 Min ReadSep 23CDK Global
Unlocking Efficiency. Common Questions About the C D K Fundamentals Suite.

Unlocking Efficiency: Common Questions About the CDK Fundamentals Suite

In this ArticleWhat’s the CDK Fundamentals Suite? What’s Included in the Fundamentals Suite?How’s It Different From the CDK Foundations Suite?How Does...
3 Min ReadSep 22CDK Global
Driving and Moving you Forward, Smoothly. C D K’s Approach to Continuous Innovation.

Driving Forward, Smoothly: CDK’s Approach to Continuous Innovation

For over 50 years, CDK’s proven, reliable Dealer Management System has been the trusted backbone of dealership operations across North...
3 Min ReadSep 19CDK Global
2025 F and I Shopper Study.

New Report Shows Shifts in F&I Trust

The F&I process remains a critical touchpoint in the car-buying journey. It’s one that can either enhance the customer experience...
1 Min ReadSep 17CDK Global
Four Ways Data Is Reshaping Dealership Inventory Strategy.

4 Ways Data Is Reshaping Dealership Inventory Strategy

Today’s fast-moving automotive marketplace is shaped by seasonal fluctuations, evolving electrification policies, changing tax laws, and often fickle consumer preferences....
3 Min ReadSep 16CDK Global
Dealership Customer Satisfaction Formula. What Car Shoppers Value the Most.

Dealership Customer Satisfaction Formula: What Car Shoppers Value the Most

CDK conducts several annual research studies to better understand the state of automotive dealerships from the perspectives of Sales, Service,...
3 Min ReadSep 16CDK Global
Converting Used Car Buyers to New.

Converting Used Car Buyers to New

It happens every day: A customer shows up on your lot with a saved listing for a specific pre-owned vehicle....
4 Min ReadSep 4CDK Global
Car Buyer Rush Leaves Mixed Results at the Dealership

Car Buyer Rush Leaves Mixed Results at the Dealership

Car dealers are seeing a return to normal in terms of how buyers are finding the purchase process easy but...
2 Min ReadSep 2David Thomas