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Dealer Pulse: Inventory Shortage, Hurricane Season Throw Texas Dealers Some Curveballs
SPIRITOFAMERICA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
by TIADA Staff
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nventory. A word likely to come up within the first couple of sentences of a conversation with an independent dealer. It’s well known that many used car dealers are dedicating more time to beef up their inventory these days. But the question is—what are dealers doing to manage inventory, how are they doing it, and how are they faring during one of the most active hurricane seasons? (Okay, three questions.) Texas Dealer reached out to a few dealer members along the coast to hear how they are managing their inventory and moving ahead with their businesses during the pandemic and hurricane season.
Expanding the Market
Inventory is down at least 30 percent, according to the dealers Texas Dealer visited with in September. Harold Tarver of A2B Auto Sales, a dealer in North October 2020
T e x a s
D e a l e r
Houston who joined TIADA in 2020 is taking it in stride, continuing to go to the auctions and taking a bit more time before moving forward with a purchase. “With vehicle prices being higher right now, it’s a more tedious process as far as checking out the cars and making sure it’s a good buy,” said Tarver. In response to this shortage, a few dealers shared that, in addition to going to the auctions they customarily visit, they are also exploring other avenues. “We’re taking advantage of being able to use the online auctions,” said Christina Sabillón of Mi Tierra Auto Sales in Houston. “In our case, the numbers have been flipped. We now do approximately 80 percent online, 20 in-person.” Several dealers shared they are spending more time on the road, searching for inventory. For instance, located just outside of Houston, Vicki Davis of A-OK 27
