The number of U.S. auto retail franchises and vehicle sales per store fell in the first half of the year, though most areas of the country were flat on franchises.
Overall, franchise count decreased 1% from the end of 2024 to just under 30,000, while store throughput fell 5% to 48, according to Urban Science data.
Though the two metrics saw no growth nationally, several states did experience increases in the number of franchises, especially Texas, which added seven, according to the first-half report. Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey and North Carolina each had four store openings, while California and Florida added a smaller number of franchises.
The number of U.S. franchised dealerships, at 18,393, is essentially flat from the end of 2024, according to the report.
A bright spot in the data comes in electric-vehicle sales through June. EV throughput was at 171 for the period, compared to 155 at the end of last year, when EV deliveries hit records, Urban Science said.
EV sales have lately gotten a boost from the fact that federal tax credits for purchases and leases end in October, moving many consumers to make their move beforehand.
