Car Dealers Can't Sell Expensive Cars & They're FINALLY Feeling IT | Episode 948
About this episode
Car dealers are feeling the pinch as profits per vehicle sold drop significantly, particularly at Lithia Motors, the largest car dealership group in the U.S. The episode discusses the implications of an 11% decline in gross profit per vehicle, highlighting how dealerships are forced to offer substantial discounts to move inventory. The hosts analyze specific examples of vehicles with steep discounts and the strategies sales managers might employ to clear out aged stock. Insights into the current state of the automotive market and dealership operations provide valuable context for potential car buyers.
Lithium Motors
"...Lithium motors. Dad, their profit went down 1.1%. Not a big deal."
Lithium Motors is a car company that makes electric vehicles. They are part of a movement to create more environmentally friendly cars.
Lithium Motors is an automotive company that focuses on electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions. They are part of the growing trend towards electrification in the automotive industry.
gross profit per new vehicle
"...the big deal is when you scroll down and you realize that gross profit per new vehicle actually declined 11.2%."
Gross profit per new vehicle is how much money a car dealership makes on each new car after paying for it. If this number goes down, it can mean the dealership is having a tough time making money.
Gross profit per new vehicle is a financial metric that indicates how much profit a dealership makes on each new car sold after accounting for the cost of goods sold. A decline in this figure can signal challenges in the automotive market.
floor plan
"Explain what floor plan means, Dad, for our community. Floor plan is the credit line that each of these dealerships has that they utilize to pay for their new cars. So just like a customer, they're not paying cash."
A floor plan is like a loan that car dealerships use to buy cars. Instead of paying for the cars all at once, they borrow money to get the cars and pay it back later when they sell them.
Floor plan refers to a type of financing that car dealerships use to fund their inventory. It allows dealerships to borrow money to purchase vehicles, which they then sell to customers. This system helps dealerships manage their cash flow and maintain a diverse inventory without needing to pay for all the cars upfront.
new car gross profit per vehicle sold
"Hence, we've seen an 11% drop in their new car gross profit per vehicle sold. 11% is significant, okay? It is extremely significant."
This term means how much money a car dealership makes from selling each new car after paying for it. If this number goes down, it means they're making less money on each sale.
New car gross profit per vehicle sold refers to the profit a dealership makes on each new car after accounting for costs. A drop in this figure indicates that dealerships are making less money on each sale, which can affect their overall profitability.
Hyundai Tucson Limited
"I just went ahead, Dad, and downloaded one of the recent Lithia deals that we worked on that the AI negotiator worked on. And look at this. This is on a 2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited."
The Hyundai Tucson Limited is a version of the Tucson SUV that comes with extra features and upgrades. The 2025 model is the latest version available.
The Hyundai Tucson Limited is a trim level of the Tucson, a compact SUV known for its practicality and modern features. The 2025 model includes various technological advancements and safety features.
dealer discount
"We've got a dealer discount on a Hyundai, Dad, of over $5,000."
A dealer discount is when a car dealership lowers the price of a car to make it cheaper for customers. It helps sell cars faster.
A dealer discount refers to the reduction in the price of a vehicle offered by the dealership, often to incentivize sales. This discount can significantly lower the out-the-door price for the buyer.
MSRP
"That's more than 10% off, isn't it? Yeah, so this is a perfect example of $42,000 Hyundai. That's not the sweet spot for a Hyundai customer."
MSRP is the price that the car maker suggests the dealer should sell the car for. It's like a guideline for how much the car should cost.
MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, which is the price that the manufacturer recommends a dealer sell a vehicle for. It's often used as a starting point for negotiations between buyers and dealers.
gap insurance
"...selling you the warranty, selling you the gap insurance, selling you the paint protection..."
Gap insurance helps pay off your car loan if your car is totaled and you owe more than it's worth. It's helpful for new cars that lose value fast.
Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a car and its actual cash value in case of a total loss. It's particularly useful for new cars that depreciate quickly.
dealer fees
"...which obviously, if you're in the car edge community, you know if it's taxable, it's negotiable."
Dealer fees are extra charges that car dealerships might add when you buy a car. These fees can sometimes be negotiated down.
Dealer fees are additional charges that dealerships may add to the purchase price of a vehicle. These can include documentation fees, preparation fees, and other costs that are often negotiable.
Lithia
"But Dad, this is what's going on over at Lithia. And if Lithia is the largest car dealership in the United States..."
Lithia is a big car dealership group in the U.S. that sells cars from different brands. They have many locations and are listed on the stock market.
Lithia is one of the largest automotive dealership groups in the United States, operating numerous dealerships across various brands. They are publicly traded and have a significant presence in the automotive retail market.
inventory
"Trust me, at this point, it is less expensive for them to take a short deal and get rid of a vehicle than it is to continue to carry that vehicle on the lot in inventory."
Inventory means the cars that a dealership has for sale. It's important for them to have the right number of cars so they can sell them and make money.
In the context of car dealerships, inventory refers to the stock of vehicles that a dealership has available for sale. Managing inventory effectively is crucial for profitability, as it involves balancing the number of cars on the lot with sales demand.
new car side
"obviously, they were making over $3,000 per vehicle sold on the new car side."
The 'new car side' is where dealerships sell brand new cars, which can be different from selling used cars. They often make different amounts of money on each sale.
The 'new car side' refers to the segment of a dealership that sells brand new vehicles, as opposed to used cars. This segment typically has different pricing structures and profit margins compared to used car sales.
front-end gross profit
"...the average front-end gross profit on a new car would be $3,000? And my answer would have been, yeah, at a Porsche store, okay? Not at a Hyundai store, not at a Jennie store."
Front-end gross profit is the money a car dealership makes from selling a car before paying for things like advertising or employee salaries. It's an important number for understanding how well a dealership is doing financially.
Front-end gross profit refers to the profit a dealership makes on the sale of a vehicle before any additional costs, fees, or expenses are deducted. It is a key metric for dealerships to assess their profitability on vehicle sales.
Porsche
"...my answer would have been, yeah, at a Porsche store, okay? Not at a Hyundai store, not at a Jennie store."
Porsche is a car brand from Germany that makes very fast and expensive cars. They are famous for their sports cars like the 911, which many people love for their speed and design.
Porsche is a German automotive manufacturer known for its high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. The brand is synonymous with luxury and performance, particularly models like the 911 and the Cayenne.
dealer invoice price
"36,807 dollar MSRP, 34,634 dollar dealer invoice price. The target discount range is anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 big ones."
The dealer invoice price is what the car dealer pays to get the car from the manufacturer. It's usually less than the price you see in the showroom, which is the MSRP.
The dealer invoice price is the amount that a dealer pays the manufacturer for a vehicle. This price is typically lower than the MSRP and can be a useful benchmark for buyers when negotiating a purchase.
target discount range
"The target discount range is anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 big ones. But I'm curious about that."
The target discount range is the amount of money you might be able to save when buying a car. It's a guideline for how much lower the price could go from the original price.
The target discount range refers to the expected price reduction that a buyer can negotiate off the MSRP. It helps buyers understand how much they might save when purchasing a vehicle.
Subaru Crosstrek
"First thing I want to look at here, what's the days supply of the Subaru Crosstrek indicator, Georgia?"
The Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that can drive well on different types of roads. It's a good choice for people who want a car that can handle both city driving and outdoor adventures.
The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover SUV known for its all-wheel drive capability and versatility. It is popular among buyers looking for a practical vehicle that can handle various terrains.
days supply
"First thing I want to look at here, what's the days supply of the Subaru Crosstrek indicator, Georgia? 101 days. That's high, Dad."
Days supply is how long it would take to sell all the cars of a certain model if no new ones were added. If there are a lot of cars sitting around, it means they might be easier to get at a lower price.
Days supply refers to the number of days it would take to sell the current inventory of a specific vehicle at the current sales rate. A higher days supply indicates that there are more vehicles available than are being sold, which can affect pricing.
Subaru
"...So that's Subaru."
Subaru is a car brand from Japan that makes vehicles known for their ability to handle tough weather and off-road conditions.
Subaru is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and rugged designs, particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts.
Wade Ford
"...So Wade Ford here. This looks what I was expecting."
Wade Ford is a car dealership that sells Ford cars and helps people buy or maintain them.
Wade Ford is a dealership that sells new and used Ford vehicles, providing services like financing and maintenance.
Ford Escape
"...in this case a 2024 Ford Escape. He have 586 days on the market."
The Ford Escape is a small SUV that's good for families and everyday driving. The 2024 version has new features and a modern look.
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that offers a blend of practicality and efficiency. The 2024 model features updated technology and design elements, making it a popular choice among families and commuters.
Ford F150
"...2024 Ford F-150 Platinum, nearly an $80,000 MSRP 490 days on the market. And again, the lead here is that car dealers cancel expensive cars and they're finally starting to feel it."
The 2024 Ford F-150 Platinum is a fancy version of Ford's best-selling pickup truck. It has a lot of luxury features and is built for both work and comfort.
The 2024 Ford F-150 Platinum is a high-end trim of Ford's popular F-150 pickup truck, known for its luxury features and advanced technology. It is designed for both performance and comfort, making it a favorite among truck enthusiasts.
aged vehicles
"Because there is no way from a corporate perspective that they would want to have vehicles in inventory for 500 and some days, 490 days. So if I was the sales manager or the general manager at that store, every one of my aged vehicles would be upfront and around the showroom, if not in the showroom."
Aged vehicles are cars that have been sitting unsold for a long time. Dealers want to sell them quickly because the longer they sit, the less valuable they become.
Aged vehicles refer to cars that have been in inventory for an extended period, often exceeding the typical time frame for selling new or used cars. Dealers aim to sell these vehicles quickly to avoid depreciation and inventory costs.
Woznowski
"And they would have what I affectionately refer to as a Woznowski. What's a Woznowski? A Woznowski is a mirror hanger that says the price was X, whatever that was. And the price now is a hell of a lot less than X."
A Woznowski is a sign that shows how much a car's price has dropped. It helps to catch the attention of buyers by showing them that they can get a better deal.
A Woznowski is a term used in car sales to describe a promotional tag or mirror hanger that indicates a price reduction on a vehicle. It highlights the original price and the new, lower price to attract buyers.
SPF
"What's referred to in the industry as a SPF or a bonus. Now, my SPF or a bonus on vehicles like that would be you will get your minimum commission..."
SPF is a bonus that car salespeople can earn when they sell cars that have been sitting on the lot for a long time. It helps motivate them to sell these older cars by giving them extra money for each day the car was not sold.
SPF stands for Special Performance Fund, which is a type of bonus structure used in car sales. It incentivizes salespeople to sell vehicles that have been in inventory for an extended period by offering additional compensation based on how long the vehicle has been unsold.
minimum commission
"Now, my SPF or a bonus on vehicles like that would be you will get your minimum commission, whatever the minimum commission is at that store. It might be $100, it might be $250."
Minimum commission is the smallest amount of money a salesperson can earn when they sell a car. Even if they don't make any extra bonuses, they will still get this guaranteed amount.
Minimum commission refers to the baseline amount of money that a salesperson will earn for selling a vehicle, regardless of any additional bonuses or incentives. This ensures that salespeople receive a guaranteed payment for their efforts.
Ford Expedition
"... you can look at it at the micro, holy cow. Ford Expedition 2024, $85,000 MSRP, 446 days on the market. No w..."
The Ford Expedition is a large SUV that can carry a lot of people and their stuff. It's great for families or anyone who needs extra space and power, especially if they want to tow things like trailers. The 2024 version is quite expensive and has been on the market for a long time, which might mean it's popular or hard to find.
The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV known for its spacious interior, powerful engine options, and advanced technology features. It is significant in the automotive market for its capability as a family vehicle and its towing capacity, making it a popular choice among those needing both space and performance. The mention of the 2024 model highlights its high MSRP and the current market dynamics affecting its availability.
Penske
"When the Penske organization in Scottsdale, we moved to North Scottsdale. I mean, we were supposed to get like an extra 350 cars for having built a new dealership."
Penske is a company that owns many car dealerships and is involved in selling cars. They help manage and run these dealerships.
The Penske Corporation is a diversified transportation services company that operates in the automotive retail sector, among other industries. They own and manage several automotive dealerships across the United States.
Toyota 4Runner
"...What are we looking forward to out of Toyota? ...Was it a forerunner?"
The Toyota 4Runner is a type of SUV that is great for off-roading and outdoor activities. It's built to handle tough conditions and is known for its durability.
The Toyota 4Runner is a mid-size SUV known for its off-road capabilities and rugged design. It's popular among outdoor enthusiasts and those needing a reliable vehicle for various terrains.
days on market
"I mean, we're still sorted by days on market oldest. So in this particular area, I guess this was around Kansas city, dad. The oldest ones, 92 days, 86 days."
Days on market is how long a car has been for sale. If it's been listed for a long time, it might be harder to sell or could be overpriced.
Days on market refers to the number of days a vehicle has been listed for sale before being sold. A higher number can indicate that a car is not selling quickly, which may affect its price and desirability.
Toyota
"That's actually for a Toyota, man. That's high. Yeah, it is."
Toyota is a car company from Japan that makes many different types of cars. They are known for being reliable and having good fuel economy.
Toyota is a well-known Japanese automotive manufacturer famous for producing reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles. They offer a wide range of models, including sedans, SUVs, and trucks.
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