54 New Car Dealerships Shut Down in 2020

The number of U.S. dealerships dropped in 2020 after steady gains for the last 10 years. Back in 2012 as the US was recovering from the great recession, there were 17,858 new car dealerships in America. the count at the beginning of 2020 was 18,317, which’s an increase of 2.5%. 

Cars sold per dealership also declined from 527 cars per dealer in 2019 to 450 cars per dealer in 2020.

Top Winners and Losers in 2020

Domestic brands were the biggest losers, whereas import brands gained numbers. 

  • General Motors lost 36 dealerships
  • Ford lost 30 dealerships 
  • Chrysler lost 14 dealerships
  • Mitsubishi added 23 dealerships
  • Mazda added 13 dealerships
  • Land Rover / Jaguar added 9 dealerships 

US Dealership count 2011 to 2021

Jan 1st  Total number of Dealers  Change from Previous Year
2021                        18,263                        (54) -0.30%
2020                        18,317                          42 0.23%
2019                        18,275                        (52) -0.28%
2018                        18,327                          66 0.36%
2017                        18,261                        193 1.06%
2016                        18,068                          68 0.38%
2015                        18,000                        125 0.69%
2014                        17,875                        115 0.64%
2013                        17,760                        (98) -0.55%
2012                        17,858                        205 1.15%
2011                        17,653