2 Min ReadDecember 8, 2022

Time Expectations Improve as Dealer Inventory Recovers

Woman buying car

Indicators across the industry are showing that dealership inventories are rebounding from some of the tightest in history. As the SAAR flirts with 15 million, more cars are hitting franchise dealer lots, and car shoppers are directly impacted.

Vehicle Ease of Purchase Scorecard

In our Ease of Purchase survey for November, the number of new car shoppers who found the car they wanted to purchase already in stock at the dealer rose to 49% from 44% in October. This is the largest percentage we’ve seen since our surveys began in July. Nearly three out of four shoppers who said finding the vehicle they wanted was easy also rose to 71% from 68% in October, yet this remains the hardest part of the shopping process for 27% of shoppers. That suggests that even though inventory is returning, there’s still a need for higher levels.

Having more vehicles in stock is also reducing the number of dealerships car shoppers had to visit. In November, 49% of shoppers only visited one store, which is up from 46% in October. Shoppers who visited three or more dealerships dropped from 29% to 24% in that same time. Salespeople should understand that once a shopper has come to their store, they’ve likely located the car they want, but 27% of buyers did visit a second store. That means there’s still a good chance a competitor can meet their needs.

Vehicle Ease of Purchase Scorecard - Availability

Fortunately, shoppers still feel like they’re spending the amount of time they expected or less to complete the purchase process. Nearly two out of three shoppers (64%) felt the amount of time they spent completing the purchase was what they expected or less than they expected, compared to last month.

Despite these improvements, the overall Ease of Purchase score for November fell two points to 82%. That’s due to two specific areas dropping significantly from October: the F&I experience and delivery process.

As the year comes to a close, we expect to see more shoppers looking for any end-of-year deals that may be available as they learn about additional vehicle availability. And even though inventory pressures may be easing slightly, shoppers will still be impacted by every touchpoint of the process.

The Ease of Purchase Scorecard is a monthly gauge of approximately 350 new car shoppers conducted by the CDK Global research team.

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

How to Spot Generative A I in Automotive Retail.

How to Spot Generative AI in Automotive Retail

Every vendor in the automotive retail industry is touting artificial intelligence and innovation. From marketing tools to sales assistants, dealerships...
3 Min ReadMay 21Amber Good
How Dealership A I Tools Can Help Service Team Productivity.

How Dealership AI Tools Can Help Service Team Productivity

Eight minutes and 12 seconds may not seem like a long time, but for dealership customers stuck on hold trying...
3 Min ReadMay 14CDK Global
Make Your Entire Dealership’s Phone System Smart.

Make Your Entire Dealership’s Phone System Smart

A dealership’s phone system is integral to generating business and if it’s not up to today’s challenges it may be...
3 Min ReadMay 9Natalia Mischenko
How Your Dealership Can Prepare for Auto Parts Tariffs.

How Your Dealership Can Prepare for Auto Parts Tariffs

Navigating the world of tariffs is no easy task. It seems there’s news of changes nearly every single day. But...
3 Min ReadMay 7Adam Bigelow
Car Pros Optimizes Operations With C D K Dealership Experience.

Car Pros Optimizes Operations With CDK Dealership Xperience

Car Pros Automotive Group has a rich history, starting in the mid-'90s as a used car lot founded by CEO...
2 Min ReadMay 5CDK Global
Car Buyers Hit More Dealers Amid Tariff Turbulence

Car Buyers Hit More Dealers Amid Tariff Turbulence

If there’s any question about tariffs impacting car buyer behavior it seemed to prove out in April. While 90% of...
3 Min ReadMay 1David Thomas
The Importance of Scheduling Appointments for the Test Drive.

The Importance of Scheduling Appointments for the Test Drive

Long wait times at the dealership are a significant source of frustration for car shoppers. It’s not just an inconvenience;...
3 Min ReadApr 29CDK Global
Most EV Owners Stand By the Technology in New Study

Most EV Owners Stand By the Technology in New Study

Opinions about the political shifts and impacts on the ever-evolving electrical vehicle industry vary greatly across the automotive industry including...
1 Min ReadApr 21CDK Global
Dealership Appointments. Car Shoppers versus Service Customers.

Dealership Appointments: Car Shoppers vs. Service Customers

Whether you’re shopping for a new vehicle or looking to service your current one, going to a dealership can be...
3 Min ReadApr 18CDK Global
The Power of Online Reviews for Car Dealerships.

The Power of Online Reviews for Car Dealerships

Word-of-mouth marketing has long been heralded as the top marketing strategy. As the internet continues to shape consumer behavior, traditional...
3 Min ReadApr 11CDK Global