Fact #738: July 30, 2012
Number of New Light Vehicle Dealerships Decreasing

The number of franchised new light vehicle dealerships peaked in 1949 with more than 49,000 dealers. By 2012, the number is less than half of that – 17,540 dealers.

Supporting Information

Number of Franchised New-Car Dealerships, 1947-2012

Year	Number of Dealerships
1947	45,500
1948	46,000
1949	49,200
1950	47,000
1951	47,500
1952	46,000
1953	45,200
1954	41,900
1955	40,400
1956	41,000
1957	40,000
1958	37,300
1959	36,400
1960	35,000
1961	34,500
1962	34,200
1963	33,700
1964	33,500
1965	33,700
1966	32,900
1967	32,000
1968	31,100
1969	31,000
1970	30,800
1971	30,300
1972	30,100
1973	30,100
1974	30,000
1975	29,600
1976	29,300
1977	29,100
1978	29,000
1979	28,500
1980	27,900
1981	26,350
1982	25,700
1983	24,725
1984	24,725
1985	24,725
1986	24,825
1987	25,150
1988	25,025
1989	25,000
1990	24,825
1991	24,200
1992	23,500
1993	22,950
1994	22,850
1995	22,800
1996	22,750
1997	22,700
1998	22,600
1999	22,400
2000	22,250
2001	22,150
2002	21,800
2003	21,725
2004	21,650
2005	21,640
2006	21,495
2007	21,200
2008	20,770
2009	20,010
2010	18,460
2011	17,700
2012	17,540
Source: National Automobile Dealers Association

Return to 2012 Facts of the Week