Providers and Administrators in blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Urban Science Report Predicts Dealership Throughput Rebound

Urban Science’s midyear Automotive Franchise Activity Report puts average throughput at 910 new vehicles per store this year.

August 19, 2021
Urban Science Report Predicts Dealership Throughput Rebound

 

Credit:

Creative Commons

2 min to read



 

The average number of new vehicles sold by U.S. dealerships is forecast to increase by over 100 in 2021, finds Urban Science’s Automotive Franchise Activity Report.

Ad Loading...

The report puts the throughput figure at 910 vehicles this year, a jump of 103 vehicles from 2020's average sales of 807 vehicles per store. The last time throughput rebounded like this was in 2012, when dealerships went from 719 to 812 vehicles per store.

Even if dealers achieve a throughput of 910, the figure is still the lowest of the decade. From 2014 through 2019, annual throughput hit 921 vehicles or higher.

Urban Science also reported the number of U.S. new-vehicle dealerships increased to 18,203 in the first half of 2021. The count as of July 1 increased by 46 stories since January 1.

California added 24 stores since the beginning of the year, marking the most additions sine 2015 when the state added 16 dealerships, reported Urban Science. The Golden State had lost seven dealerships in 2020. Texas added eight dealerships and New York added five.

Mitch Phillips, global director of data at Urban Science called the increase “minor" noting “It's virtually no net change. So, it's stable.”

Ad Loading...

Still, the increase comes on the heels of a decline in new vehicle dealerships in 2020 and 2019.

And other states saw decreases. Tennessee lost four stores, while Illinois and Kansas each lost two.

 

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Photo of the rear of a new BMW iX SUV
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 12, 2026

New-Vehicle Prices Rise

With April sales down, higher prices on in-demand large vehicles helped inflate the overall ATP, though increases were under long-term averages, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
Graphic of car segments' results the previous week
Industryby StaffMay 12, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Last week in the wholesale automotive market proved to be a mixed bag, analysts reported.

Read More →
Graphic of last week's estimated used retail days to turn
Industryby StaffMay 6, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Conversion rates were flat last week at 63%, Black Book analysts calculated, as low-mileage and almost-near units outpaced the overall market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
cargo ship with vehicles, at dock
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 5, 2026

EU Auto Association Urges Action

Trade relations between the European Union and the U.S. are at risk, causing the European Automobile Manufacturers Association to push lawmakers to make a decision.

Read More →
two people working on a paper contract together
IndustryMay 1, 2026

Driving into the Super CFC Era

Understanding the risks and benefits of retail accounting and Super CFCs can help you better present options to your dealer partners.

Read More →
Photo of outdoor electric-vehicle charger
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 28, 2026

Global Roads Getting More Electric

China easily reigns in the segment, but European countries’ adoption rates are growing. The U.S., probably due to market size, has the second biggest EV fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic of wholesale weekly price index
Industryby StaffApril 28, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

The full-size pickup segment, which has been dominant in the U.S., ended 11 consecutive weeks of gains with a slight dip last week.

Read More →
Line graphic showing week-over-week wholesale auto price changes
Industryby StaffApril 22, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Wholesale auto conversion rates dropped slightly as auction buyers proved picky last week, analysts observed.

Read More →
pavement with car and charger wrapped around it painted on

EV Battery Cycle Life at Risk

Fast charging of electric vehicles provides a solution for range anxiety, but it also poses a risk to battery cycle life due to increased temperatures, according to an EV supply chain data provider.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of exterior facade of Beardmore Chevrolet store
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 14, 2026

Founding Family Sells Nebraska Dealerships

Expanding Midwest automotive group picks up three stores as part of the robust transaction activity early this year.

Read More →