Why Do Inventory Cars Exist?
2 Answers
Normally, some manufacturers produce models with special configurations or colors that cannot find suitable buyers, and over time, these become backlogged "inventory cars." There may also be other reasons. Additionally, some backlogged "inventory cars" might remain unsold due to quality issues, so caution is advised when selecting them. Generally, if a car has been in inventory for over three months or half a year, it can be classified as an inventory car. The main reasons not to buy an inventory car are: 1. After leaving the factory, various fluids, electronic components, batteries, rubber seals, and tires in a new car may deteriorate due to prolonged storage without periodic inspection and maintenance, leading to issues like moisture damage and aging. 2. Only a very few dealerships perform periodic inspection and maintenance measures. While the cost is not high, it consumes manpower and time. Some 4S stores even keep their inventory cars in open parking lots, exposing them directly to sunlight, wind, and rain. 3. For inventory cars stored for too long, without proper warehousing management, the aging of electronic components and rubber parts is often undetectable without professional testing equipment. Many long-term inventory cars also suffer from insufficient oil or battery charge.
My neighbor used to work in 4S store management, and he said that inventory cars are mainly divided into two types: those forced by manufacturers and those that dealers can't sell. To meet sales targets, manufacturers push cars onto 4S stores, especially aggressively stocking older models before a new generation is released. Dealers also struggle—cars with unpopular colors or niche configurations are particularly hard to sell, like red manual transmissions, which often gather dust. The worst are exhibition cars from auto shows; customers always assume they've been touched too much and reject them, leaving them to sit for half a year and become inventory. Also, last year, our city suddenly introduced license plate restrictions, turning over 30 brand-new cars without temporary plates directly into inventory. Now, with new energy vehicles updating too fast, lithium iron phosphate cars are piling up in warehouses with no buyers, as customers are all eyeing the newly released solid-state battery models.
