Toyota clears its stock in just 36 days, far outpacing Dodge’s 142-day backlog. Discover how inventory speed shapes the US auto market – read more now!
The U.S. automotive sector is finally shedding the excess inventory that piled up during last winter’s slowdown, but four brands owned by Stellantis are moving in the opposite direction.
What “Days Supply” Means
Industry analysts track a metric called days supply (or inventory days). It estimates how many days a dealer’s current stock would last if sales continued at the latest rate. A lower number signals a faster‑moving showroom and healthier demand.
Stellantis Brands Struggle with Excess Stock
According to the latest Cox Automotive data (end‑April), the U.S. average sits at 78 days supply, a modest drop from the 79‑day figure a month earlier and well below the peak of 95 days recorded in January‑February.
Stellantis, however, is lagging. Its four American marques are sitting well above the industry norm:
- Dodge: 142 days – the highest backlog in the market.
- Chrysler and Ram: 135 days each.
- Jeep: 128 days.
Even non‑Stellantis giants are feeling the squeeze. Buick sits at 119 days, while Mini (113), Mitsubishi (109), Lincoln (106) and Genesis (104) also exceed the average.
Toyota and Other Leaders Beat the Trend
On the bright side, several manufacturers are clearing inventory faster than the market pace:
- Toyota: just 36 days of supply.
- Lexus: 38 days.
- Honda: 48 days.
- Cadillac: 64 days.
- Infiniti: 65 days.
- Chevrolet and Audi: 72 days each.
- Kia: 76 days; BMW: 77 days; Subaru: 78 days.
- Porsche was at 78 days in March, slipping to 80 days in April.
These figures illustrate that Toyota’s efficient supply chain and strong demand are allowing it to turn over stock more than three times faster than Dodge.
Price Pressure and Sales Dip
April also saw the average MSRP of a new vehicle rise by 0.9% to $49,025. Higher prices may have contributed to a slight dip in overall new‑car sales, which fell from 1.115 million in March to 1.093 million in April.
What This Means for Buyers and Dealers
For consumers, a lower days‑supply figure often translates to a more dynamic market with better incentives and fresher model selections. Dealers carrying high‑days inventory, especially those tied to Stellantis brands, may need to offer deeper discounts or promotional financing to move cars off the lot.
For manufacturers, the data underscores the importance of aligning production with real‑time demand, especially as the industry navigates post‑pandemic supply‑chain disruptions.
Stay tuned for further updates on how inventory trends shape pricing, availability, and the overall health of the U.S. automotive market.