Sales per dealership rise, on track to hit record high

Sales per dealership rise, on track to hit record high

Average sales per U.S. dealership are expected to rise to 877 units in 2013, based on LMC Automotives forecast of 15.6 million sales. The numbers are from Urban Sciences midyear Franchise Activity Report.

This report documents a slight drop in the number for dealerships from the end of 2012. As of July 1, there were 17,780 rooftops, down from 17,851 in January. Most of the closures resulted from the end of Suzuki, which terminated 222 franchises.

Automakers are keeping their retail networks stable even as sales continue to rise, creating a tremendous opportunity for dealerships to reap the benefits of the industrys most profitable period in two decades, said John Frith, vice president of Urban Science.

If the numbers follow their usual pattern, the increases will slow in the next year before starting a mild decline, Frith said.