New-Car Market Sees Sharp Decline in Sub-$30,000 Vehicles, According to Cars Commerce Industry Insights Report

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Cars Commerce's July Industry Insights Report reveals significant shifts in the automotive market. The new-car market has seen a sharp decline in vehicles priced under $30,000, with only 333,000 available compared to 1.1 million in July 2019. The average new-car price remains steady at $49,000, but this is $6,000 higher than expected based on typical growth rates.

The used-car market is facing challenges with a scarcity of low-mileage, lightly used vehicles. Used-car prices have decreased 6% year-over-year, while inventory has increased slightly by 1%. Vehicles under $30,000 have seen a 3% price drop and a 9% inventory increase. However, the availability of vehicles priced between $30,000 and $49,000 has decreased by 15%, reflecting a shortage of 1-to-3-year-old vehicles.

Used vehicles under $20,000 now have an average of 93,000 miles, up 33% in five years. The shortage of low-mileage inventory is particularly noticeable in the higher-end used-vehicle market, where the average price is $77,000, exceeding the average cost of a new luxury vehicle.

Used-Car Market Struggles With Shortage of Low-Mileage Vehicles, Leading to Price Decline and Influx of High-Mileage Inventory

CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) (d/b/a "Cars Commerce."), an audience-driven technology company empowering the automotive industry, outlines shifts in the automotive industry in its July Industry Insights Report. This comprehensive report, crafted by Cars Commerce's expert data analysts, delves into macro and micro automotive market insights by analyzing supply, demand, pricing and consumer behavior data from across the company's platform, including Cars.com^®, Dealer Inspire^® and Accu-Trade^®.

"Over the past year, new-car prices have remained steady at around $49,000. Supply levels continue to increase, with the most significant inventory rise in mid- to high-priced vehicles," said Rebecca Lindland, senior director of industry data and insights at Cars Commerce. "Currently, there are just 333,000 new vehicles priced under $30,000 on the Cars Marketplace versus July 2019, when there were 1.1 million. If the average new-car price had continued on its typical 3% annual growth rate from 2019, today's average new car price would be $43,000. To get prices back on track, the industry would need to add more than 750,000 sub-$30,000 vehicles to the market, the same number of under-$30K vehicles lost since 2019."

Used-Car Market: Scarcity of Late-Model-Year Vehicles and Declining Prices

In contrast to the new-car market, the used-car market is facing availability challenges, particularly sourcing low-mileage, lightly used vehicles. Year over year, used-car prices decreased 6% and inventory edged up 1% primarily driven by an increase in the stock of vehicles under $30,000. Prices for used vehicles under $30,000 have dropped by 3% year over year, with inventory in this segment increasing 9%. The availability of vehicles priced between $30,000 and $49,000 decreased by 15% year over year, reflecting the scarcity of 1-to-3-year-old vehicles typically found in this price range.

"Notably, used vehicles priced under $20,000 now carry an average of 93,000 odometer miles as of July 2024, up 33% in the last five years. These high-mileage vehicles may require significant service to remain roadworthy," adds Lindland. "The shortage of low-mileage, lightly used inventory is especially noticeable in the higher-end used-vehicle market. For the over-$50,000 used-vehicle segment, the average price is $77,000, which is more than the average cost of a new luxury vehicle."

To download the full report, visit www.carscommerce.inc.

*Inventory, searches and list price on Cars.com. A third-party cyber incident impacted dealer inventory data beginning June 19, 2024.

ABOUT CARS COMMERCE™

Cars Commerce™ is an audience-driven technology company empowering the automotive industry. Cars Commerce™ simplifies everything about car buying and selling with powerful products, solutions and AI-driven technologies that span pretail, retail and post-sale activities – enabling more efficient and profitable retail operations. The Cars Commerce™ platform is organized around four industry-leading brands: the flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com^®, award-winning technology and digital retail technology and marketing services from Dealer Inspire^®, essential trade-in and appraisal technology from Accu-Trade^®, and exclusive in-market media solutions from the Cars Commerce Media Network. Learn more at www.carscommerce.inc.

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SOURCE Cars Commerce

FAQ

What is the current average price of new cars according to Cars Commerce's July 2024 report?

According to Cars Commerce's July 2024 Industry Insights Report, the average new-car price remains steady at around $49,000.

How has the availability of new cars priced under $30,000 changed since 2019?

The availability of new cars priced under $30,000 has drastically decreased. In July 2024, there were only 333,000 such vehicles available on the Cars Marketplace, compared to 1.1 million in July 2019.

What is the trend in used-car prices as of July 2024?

As of July 2024, used-car prices have decreased by 6% year-over-year, according to the Cars Commerce Industry Insights Report.

How has the inventory of used cars priced under $30,000 changed?

The inventory of used cars priced under $30,000 has increased by 9% year-over-year, while prices in this segment have dropped by 3%.

What is the average mileage of used vehicles priced under $20,000 in July 2024?

According to the report, used vehicles priced under $20,000 now carry an average of 93,000 odometer miles as of July 2024, which is a 33% increase over the last five years.