U.S. LV Inventory Edges Upward

A solid month of production infused U.S. new light-vehicle inventory with some 66,700 additional units in September, nearly double August’s supplement, although a sharp sales rebound kept the days’ supply count below optimum levels at 49.

Related document: WardsAuto U.S. Light Vehicle Inventory by Group September 2011

Nissan dealers had mere nine days’ supply of Leaf to sell at end of September.

Dealer lots were home to 2,071,271 cars and light trucks at the end of September, up 3.3% from the August count, but still 6.3% less than prior-year’s 2,210,643.

Even that modest growth was good news for Asian-make dealers whose available LV inventory swelled by more than 51,700 units, despite stronger September sales, nudging their days’ supply to 37 from 35 in August.

Among Japanese makes, Toyota dealers closed September with 12.5% more inventory than their August totals, while Honda retailers had 18.8% more to offer and Mazda 22.7%. However, all remained well short of a normal 50-60 days’ supply.

Dealers handling slow-moving Mitsubishi models saw their inventories rise sharply to an outsized 85 days’ supply, thanks in part to a buildup of now-discontinued Eclipse and Endeavor.

Meanwhile, Subaru’s days’ supply plunged to 20 as dealers awaited the arrival of the redesigned ’12 Impreza.

Strong sales also trimmed the days’ supply of European makes to 41 from August’s 43, despite a stock gain approaching 9,000 units.

Except for Audi, which saw a slight uptick, and Volkswagen, which held steady, all European brands posted lower days’-supply numbers in September.

Small cars and small and midsize cross/utility vehicles were among the LV segments in shortest supply. Small cars finished the month with a 38 days’ supply, while the two CUV segments each had 39.

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