Tight Supply, High Prices Slow New-Vehicle Sales

June U.S. new-vehicle sales are expected to showcase a market still well above last year’s levels but one that is slowing after a frenzied spring buying season. Cox Automotive forecasts vehicle sales in June to fall to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.4 million, up from last year’s 13 million but down from May’s 17 million pace. 

June is expected to mark the second consecutive month of slowing sales after the market hit a red-hot, post-pandemic peak in April. The April sales pace of 18.8 million was among the strongest sales months in history, but the frenzy is forecast to slow as inventory constraints are pulling the market back down to earth. 

Sales volume in June is predicted to show a 24% gain over last year, a solid result but lower than the monthly gains seen earlier this spring. Volume is expected to decline nearly 200,000 units from May, a drop driven in part by one less selling day and no big holiday weekends to drive more sales.

“While new-vehicle sales volume in the first half of 2021 is healthy—and on par with the first half of 2019—the market could be stronger if not for the lack of available supply,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist, Cox Automotive. “Concern about the supply situation really cannot be overstated as we are in untested territory for the market.”

According to a Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Available Inventory data, new-vehicle inventory was historically low at the beginning of June, running 43% behind levels for the same period in 2020 and 54% below the same timeframe in 2019.

Production halts last spring due to COVID-19 left the industry with limited inventory to start 2021. Since then, supply chain disruptions have made the issue worse. While not all manufacturers are dealing with the same level of supply constraint, nearly all have lower-than-normal supply. Tight supply, in turn, has allowed manufacturers to reduce incentives, which means buyers will have a harder time making a more favorable deal. According to a recent analysis by Kelley Blue Book, the average new-vehicle incentive has dropped to a near-10-year low.  

June 2021 Sales Forecast Highlights

• New light-vehicle sales are forecast to reach 1.35 million units, up nearly 24% higher compared to June 2020. 
• Sales volume is expected to fall nearly 200,000 compared to May, or 12.7%. 
• The sales pace of 16.4 million is forecast to be well above last year’s COVID-19 impacted 13 million level, but a drop from May’s strong 17 million pace.