For independent dealers, August’s sales data points to one clear trend: affordable used inventory is shrinking. New-vehicle sales posted a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 16.8 million units in August, the strongest pace of 2026, according to Cox Automotive, even as year-over-year retail volume declined amid ongoing affordability pressures.
On the used side, inventory of vehicles priced under $15,000 fell 25.9% year-over-year and now makes up just 15.1% of total used inventory, down from 20.6% a year earlier, according to Cox Automotive. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index closed August at 208.2, down 0.9% from July but up 0.4% year-over-year. Older, lower-priced vehicles depreciated more slowly than newer models, with nine- and ten-year-old units falling well below typical seasonal depreciation rates.
Retail listing prices averaged $27,239 in August, up 7% year-over-year and the highest monthly figure since December 2022. Retail days’ supply tightened to 44 days, two fewer than July. Together, the numbers show a market where affordable inventory is scarcer and prices for it are climbing, a combination that directly affects sourcing conditions for independent dealers.
