Auto Dealer Valuation Insights

Regular updates on issues important to the Auto Dealer industry

SAAR

November 2023 SAAR

In November 2023, the SAAR for the auto industry showed year-over-year growth, maintaining a 16-month trend of improvements. Despite a general slowdown in growth, the industry’s unadjusted sales reached their highest level for November since 2019, with expectations of a further increase in December. A rise in vehicle inventory and Days’ Supply suggests a recovering market with potential challenges and opportunities ahead.

Special Topics

Return to Status Quo or a New Normal?

Auto Leasing Trend Update

In the evolving landscape of vehicle transactions, consumers have veered away from leasing due to factors like inventory shortages, higher interest rates, and less attractive leasing incentives. Despite this shift, leasing remains a cheaper option than buying, with dealers and manufacturers closely monitoring the market’s changing dynamics. As leasing shows signs of recovery in 2023, its future in the auto industry hinges on factors like market trends, consumer behavior, and effective dealership strategies.

SAAR

October 2023 SAAR

The October 2023 SAAR data indicates a nuanced picture of the auto industry, showing a slight decline from the previous month but a notable increase compared to last year, with sales reaching the highest October level since 2020. While the seven-month streak of double-digit year-over-year SAAR improvements has ended, the overall trend remains positive with a steady recovery in the industry inventory-to-sales ratio and an increasing Days’ Supply. This detailed analysis, including insights on inventory levels, transaction prices, and future outlooks, provides a comprehensive understanding of the current state and projections for the auto industry.

Valuation Issues

Dealership Working Capital

A Cautionary Tale Against Rigid Comparisons

Understanding the intricacies of business valuation, particularly for auto dealerships, involves a comprehensive examination of balance sheets, income statements, and normalization adjustments. We explore the significance of tangible and non-operating assets, the nuances of working capital, and the critical nature of management insights in assessing a dealership’s true value. A case study highlights the multifaceted approach required, underscoring the importance of expert analysis in navigating the complex terrain of financial assessments and valuations.

SAAR

September 2023 SAAR

The automotive industry has witnessed its fourteenth consecutive month of annual improvements in the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR), with September 2023 recording a SAAR of 15.7 million units—a 14.9% increase compared to the previous year. However, we anticipate a potential end to the double-digit year-over-year improvements streak in the coming month. With challenges like the United Auto Workers strike and changing supply chain conditions, it remains critical to monitor consumer activity and sales trends, especially given the decline in transaction prices and surge in incentives.

Blue Sky Special Topics

The Winding Road to Blue Sky Value

Important Considerations in Auto Dealer Valuations and Pitfalls to Avoid

In the upcoming month, Scott Womack and David Harkins will present at three different forums, shedding light on the pivotal aspects and considerations of auto dealer valuations, including special considerations in litigation/buy-sell matters. They will delve into why traditional market approaches are generally not applicable for the valuation of auto dealerships, especially single rooftop operations, and explore the limitations of existing database evaluations. Beyond this, they will also explore the changing dynamics of value drivers like real estate and employee management, highlighting the shifting landscape as the industry moves towards digital and online platforms, and offer insights and suggestions for navigating buy/sell litigation and ensuring fair and consistent transactions.

Auto Dealerships

Mercer Capital provides business valuation and financial advisory services to companies throughout the nation in the auto dealer industry.