Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds, said November generally turned out to be a weak spot as consumers pulled back in the wake of the COVID-19 surge.
“November sales were already set up to take a hit due to fewer selling days, but the second wave of the virus only depressed sales further as stricter quarantine orders were reintroduced across the country and Americans put their purchases on hold,” Caldwell said in an email.
“December, however, is shaping up to be a stronger month: the inventory situation is looking better than it did just a few months ago, fleet sales are trickling back into the market, and interest rates continue to be low,” Caldwell said.
Dealers are also now more adept at online sales, which should help with a busy year-end close.
Parker noted that Hyundai’s online transactions now account for nearly 10 percent of retail sales, which is a major milestone.
“Almost 10 percent online retailing was virtually unheard of a year ago,” he said. “I think consumers are going to continue to behave that way even after COVID because it’s convenient for them.”
