Automobiles have always remained a comfortable and complete source of transportation since past years. The only difference between the present and the past times is the notably increased necessity and popularity. Earlier people used to rely on automobiles for luxury but now the trend has shifted and people desire to have these vehicles especially cars, as means of necessity. But thanks to this increasing popularity, the previous prices have seen a lot of differences. Earlier, though the demands were low, the prices were reasonable and the cars can be easily purchasable. But now the shifting trend of purchase has seen a lot of increase in the price making it difficult for people to purchase especially the branded new luxurious cars like Porsche, Lamborghini, BMW, etc. But will you believe you will be able to make these cars your own? It’s true that you can own such luxurious cars and that too at reasonable rates. Now you would be curious to know how this is possible. Read this article further and you will get to know the details here.
Have you heard of second-hand or pre-owned cars? This is the concept that makes it possible for people to buy their dream cars. Earlier, this Purchasing theory was not much in trend but these current times, have witnessed an increase in the sales of already used cars. Moreover, compared to the Covid times in the year 2022, the prices for used cars have been declining and to gear up with the market rates, the dealers have been stocking up the markets with new brand-labeled cars to keep the smooth flow. But what about the year 2024 had been worrying the dealers? Will the purchase trend remain the same or will it improve and vice versa? A study of the recent trends can help these dealers survive the situation and graph out a possible outcome.
Here’s the previous years, that is, 2023 setter trends which will help the dealers to develop their strategies for the used cars.
- Narrowing down of the sales of electric vehicles: in the previous years, the use and purchase graph of electric vehicles reached its peak, and the increasing demands and the gas and fuel prices contributed to the bulk purchases of these electric and hybrid vehicles. Both the models of the electric vehicles whether new or old cars, saw accelerated demands but in the year 2023, this growth slowed down and reached its minimal. There were many reasons which led to the downfall of these electric vehicles.
- But again in the year 2024, electric vehicles got a boost up and they again hiked the purchase graph with bulk purchases by the customers. Besides, dealers in addition to the old models added to their storage the brands including the luxury ones. Despite such great purchases, it’s unlikely that their sales will hit the same selling limit again as they had in 2022. Still, people are looking for pre-owned vehicles offering fuel-efficient options. Since the demand is tilting toward such vehicles, dealers should make sure to stuff their storage with fuel-efficient electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
- Prolonged strikes affects automobile sector: for past few years, manufacturers have been witnessing an accelerated selling margin without providing the workers with efficient wages and productive benefits. Thus, these workers have went on strike for a few times in the past years. This act defected the import of mechanic items and less production affecting a major automobile area. Thus dealerships had to rely on their left-out machinery due to less production. Since the workers have come to an agreement and will receive sufficient wages and benefits, there are chances that the sales and production of the in-demand vehicles will increase again. This was the reason why electric vehicle production demand has been roaring since the start of the year and will continue to rise high eventually. Dealers should be ready with their existing saves and cater to the needs of the customers.
- Brands Loyalty Still Remains Low: in the years 2021, and 2022 the used car inventories were low in number and thus were not able to meet the demands of the customers looking for pre-owned or used cars. Thus, the customers were finding it difficult to remain loyal to a particular brand. There was a need for other automobile manufacturers to offer broad varieties of used cars to the customers so that they wouldn’t go find and explore some other brands. Thus diminishing brand loyalty followed this trend further in the year 2023.
With more choices in the hands of the customers, they favored to choose the materialistic features rather than loyalty to the brands and the choice for pre-owned cars or loaner cars gives them immense choice to make a wise decision. Customers are always looking for something unique while purchasing rather than sticking to the name of the brands. And as of 2024, it is still uncertain whether customers will prefer the brand or just the existing content provided by the dealers. Thus dealers should be wise enough to make available their stocks whether old or new depending on the previous year’s trends.
Some Predictions For The Year 2024
- Fall in the prices of used cars: this current year of 2024 is the year of recovery and as an estimate, the prices will continue to drop fie both used and new cars. This year is better with productions and imports but is still struggling with the previous years’ disruptions. So there will be stable supplies of the products but the prices will remain low to maintain the past balance.
- Limited buyers: Another concern making the customers struggle will be high interest rates despite the reasonably appealing prices. Since most customers like to finance their purchases whether new or old, there would still be a budgetary limit. Therefore, dealers should be pretty prepared to indulge in price negotiations and offer their customers schemes like installments or monthly payments.
- Less profitability: post the present year, the manufacturers and dealers used to collect heavy profits with the purchases but now, since the labor costs have increased and also the new or old car parts of machinery are available at excessive rates there is no evidence of profit or just a minute one. Besides, dealers still have to allure the customers by availing discounts and negotiations. This is the only way dealers can get through this dry period.
So to protect your bottom line, the dealers should remain alert and efficient while dealing with customers. Then only they will be able to break through this declining trend and stand again