What Happens To New Cars That Do NOT Get SOLD?

Over the past few years, a lot of cars sit on dealership lots or at staging areas waiting to be sold but never do. The number has been increasing, but what happens to these new cars that don't get sold? This is a newer issue that car dealers are having to deal with now that inventory levels are back to normal, and prices are higher than ever with every automotive manufacturer.

It's a common issue that dealerships are having to deal with, no matter what brand you are looking at: Ford, Honda, KIA, Chevrolet, you name the brand - even Ferrari. All brands have vehicles sitting from 2022, 2023, and even 2024. And with 2025 models arriving at car dealers, it's a big issue. This problem rarely happened before 2020.

It the past, we have never seen a new car sit more than 200 days or dealerships have 6 months of inventory. In the current economy, car dealers sitting on cars for 500, 600, and even 700 days is becoming normal. This is crazy.

This is the new normal. Some of these cars are really expensive, like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Ford Lightning electric truck, Jaguars, and other high end models. They are just not selling. In some cases, manufacturers are forcing car dealers to add these vehicle to their inventory in order to get allocation for more popular vehicles and trim levels. This is a bad situation and one of the most common questions people are asking is, "What happens to these cars when they don't sell? Where do they go?"

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[gusgiesel]

300% more money for a less reliable vehicle? No thank you. I will keep my 18 year old pickup truck with 198k miles... it runs flawlessly, is very comfortable, and everything still works.

[lot]

They will crush unsold inventory before slashing prices. If they budge on prices once, they can never go back to these outrageous price levels. They are willing to die on this hill.

[dave]

Right now, no matter what the incentive, I don’t want a 4cyl turbo, or a wet belt system, bad transmission ….

[atoitoh]

Cars are made far too fancy these days, and that costs money. All I want is a simple and reliable vehicle at a decent price.

[stevedorie]

Maybe they should lower the prices so people can afford to buy them

[davidcozzi]

Basic question that should be a video: “If a 2023 model sits on a lot and they already have 2024 models, the dealership will not sell you the 2023 model at the true depreciated rate. Why would you buy it for more than what it is worth?”

[jeffreymckie]

Did I hear her say “ now that inventories are back to normal”? Who is this lady trying to fool? The lots are stuffed everywhere.

[Wolfgang-the-Gray]

I like my solution the best. I bought the Jeep I wanted in 1997. I still drive it & repair as needed. 382k miles & dozens of thousands of dollars saved. It works for me.

[jeffreymckie]

Get rid of dealerships and watch actual purchase costs go down.

[hildablanco]

When cars and trucks cost more than grand father's house we have a country problem

[thebionicbassplayer]

Here's a radical idea, sell the unsold vehicles over a year old for a price people can afford.

[kennedydk]

Still at 6 minutes and she does not answer the question.

[baypos]

Even with rebates and incentives, still too much for new vehicles.
I haven't had a car loan since 1991.
My every day drivers are from the '90'a.

[randysrestoration]

Local dealer has a '23 F250 HO diesel that has been on lot for 515 days right now and still refuses to lower the price. I have been watching it just to see what they do. Would love to buy it but surely not at sticker for a truck sitting that long. Currently has 74 miles on it the same as a year ago.

[aliendroneservices]

0:37 I think you got that backwards. Maybe you meant: "All brands have vehicles sitting from 2024, '23, and even 2022."

[oligarchy-usa]

Nothing worth buying in the US market currently, especially if you prefer smaller vehicles.

[wesalexander]

As always, great analysis and review, Lauren! Amazing how quickly a sellers' market can change into a buyers' market with a change in economic conditions. Very expensive new vehicles combined with higher interest rates means slow sales. At some point, manufacturers will be forced to rethink their pricing.

[thumperjdm]

Manufacturers: "We have inventory we can't sell."
Buyers: "Lower your prices drastically, and reduce your MSRP's."
Manufacturers: "No, we're not gonna do that."

[qleap]

The Dodge dealership by me said 2024 and older unsold new cars go to auction in January 2025. They would rather take the loss than sell it for less to the consumer.

[curtisi]

My last new car is a 2016 Honda. Basic safety features, no lane keep assist and brake warning, just drive like how you should. Zero problems with this car and it's my daily driver.
Now all these newer cars has gotten bigger in both size and cost. Not even worth a look.