2 Min ReadJanuary 3, 2024

New Cars Easier To Find, Bolstering Buyer Attitudes

New Cars Easier to Find, Bolstering Buyer Attitudes.

Car buyers raced against the clock to secure deals before the end of the year while inventories and incentives were at some of their highest points of not only 2023 but since supply chains put a halt on regular production. These factors led to respondents of the CDK Global Ease of Purchase survey to overwhelmingly rate their car buying experience as easy.

That number bounced back sharply to 85% from 81% in November having attained that high number in October as well. And while, like last month, we saw an increase in buyers visiting just one dealership, up slightly to 36% in December from 35% in November, there was a far bigger change in terms of finding their vehicle.

Vehicle availability and time spent at dealer charts.

More than half, 52%, of buyers in December found the car they wanted in stock, up sharply from 42% in October. This led 73% of respondents to agree that finding the vehicle they wanted was easy, one of the highest scores we’ve seen for that question since starting this survey in July 2022.

There was a slight dip in the number of people buying vehicles in transit while ordering from the factory remained steady with nearly one in five buyers (18%) choosing that option. But far fewer people decided on a different vehicle in stock. Just 6% were that impatient down from 9% in November.

Purchase process scorecards.

Financial aspects of the purchase process didn’t budge much at all in December. Few people found these aspects easy and applying for credit remains a thorn. Only 61% of respondents said that was easy, down from 63% in November.

The amount of time spent at the dealer also saw a considerable improvement with more than one in five, 21%, saying it took less time than they expected at the dealership, up from 16% in November. A number of respondents pointed to the amount of time as the reason why they said the process was easy, one saying they were out the door in 45 minutes.

As the calendar flips over to 2024, it’ll be interesting to track if sustained higher inventories make it easier for car buyers or if this is a plateau that’s hard to overcome.

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

A I and Vehicle Research. The Disadvantages of A I Informed Car Shoppers.

AI and Vehicle Research: The Disadvantages of AI-Informed Car Shoppers

Car shoppers are increasingly turning to AI to guide their research across financing, timing and vehicle selection. Salesforce data shows that...
4 Min ReadOct 8CDK Global
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