SACRAMENTO, CA – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who attended Dealer Day 2024 in Sacramento. We appreciate all the members who participated and gave their time to advocate for the future of California’s Automotive Industry. We hope you will join us again for Dealer Day 2025 on March 26, at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency.
Additionally, we want to sincerely thank our sponsor partners who helped make this event possible for our membership. Thank you again for your dedication to our industry and cause. We hope to see you all next year!
If you would like a high-res version of any of these images, please contact Autumn Heacox, Director of Communications & Marketing (aheacox@cncda.org).
California New Car Dealers Come to Sacramento for 2024 Dealer Day
Association Also Celebrates Century Milestone
SACRAMENTO, CA, March 18, 2024– The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) is preparing to host its Annual Dealer Day this Wednesday, March 20, 2024. This year’s event holds special significance as CNCDA proudly celebrates its 100-year anniversary, a testament to its unwavering commitment to shaping the automotive landscape in California.
With close to 1,200 members, CNCDA is the nation’s largest state association of franchised new car dealers.
The night before, on Tuesday evening, the association’s newly-formed NextGen dealer group will meet at Camden Spit & Larder to discuss the future of the automotive industry and the impact up-and-coming dealers can have in the Golden State.
On Dealer Day, all franchised new car dealers will attend CNCDA’s Annual Meeting of the Members, hosted at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel downtown. Then, dealers will meet with their area representatives at The Swing Space for legislative appointments to discuss pending new laws relevant to CA’s retail automotive industry. Dealer Day concludes with a legislative reception at Revival in The Kimpton.
Since its establishment in 1924, CNCDA has been a formidable force, driving the growth and success of California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. The association’s history is marked by a series of impactful initiatives and legislative advocacies that have significantly shaped and influenced the automotive industry in the state, keeping the public informed and aware of the industry’s developments.
Recent legislative achievements include 2023’s landmark franchise bill, AB 473, which offered crucial protections for dealers from their respective manufacturers and underscored CNCDA’s commitment to protecting and promoting the automotive industry in California. This commitment is a testament to the member’s dedication to serving the transportation needs of the state’s motoring public.
CA’s New Car Dealers’ Economic Impact in 2023:
According to CNCDA’s recently released 2023 Economic Impact Report, California’s franchised new car dealers employed over 138,800 hard-working Californians and paid $10 billion in statewide taxes, contributing significantly to the state’s economy. The report highlights new car dealers’ contributions in charitable donations, taxes paid, and employment data, among other trends related to the state’s economic health.
Last year, California’s new car dealers sold 1.77 million new vehicles, 280,891 of which were electric vehicles (EVs), representing 21.4% of the total new light-duty vehicles sold in the Golden State.
Additionally, California’s new car dealers consistently act as local community stewards year after year, giving $67.66 million to charitable and civic organizations in 2023, an average of $46,500 per dealership to good causes.
The average combined state and federal taxes paid per California dealership was $9.27 million, totaling $13.64 billion in taxes paid by California’s new car dealers in 2023.
Shaping the Next Century:
Founded in 1924, CNCDA has been a steadfast advocate for California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. The association’s continuous efforts in legislative advocacy, community engagement, and member-focused strategies have contributed to the thriving automotive industry in California.
CNCDA extends sincere gratitude to the dealers, including new dealers, legacy, and NextGen, who have generously contributed their time and efforts to the association’s enduring success. Many of these dealerships are family-owned and have operated since the inception of the automotive era.
# # #
Event Media Contact: Autumn Heacox, Director of Communications & Marketing California New Car Dealers Association aheacox@cncda.org 916.439.6054
About CNCDA For 100 years, the California New Car Dealers Association has represented California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. CNCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new and used motor vehicles and provide automotive products, parts, services, and repairs. In 2022, California’s franchised new car dealers sold more than 1.6 million new cars and trucks, employed more than 136,000 people, paid $8.46 billion in sales tax, and donated $62.84 million to charitable and civic organizations. As the nation’s largest state association of franchised automotive dealers—with over 1,200 members—CNCDA provides legal compliance and legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy.
California New Car Dealers Association Publishes 2023 Economic Impact Report
CNCDA published our 2023 Economic Impact Report this week. The report highlights the contributions new car dealers have made in charitable donations, taxes paid, and employment data, among other dealership trends related to California’s economy.
California’s franchised new car dealers continue to act as significant statewide contributors. In 2023, California’s new car dealers sold 1.77 million new vehicles, employed over 138,807 hard-working Californians, and paid $10 billion in statewide taxes. In 2023, the average California new car dealership employed roughly 95 people per dealership.
California’s new car dealers contributed significantly to the state’s economic health, paying a total of $8.74 billion in state sales tax in 2023, an average of $6.01 million of sales tax per dealership. The average total taxes paid per California dealership in 2023 was $9.27 million, totaling $13.64 billion statewide.
New Car Dealers sold 280,891 electric vehicles (EVs) in 2023 which represents 21.4% of the total new light-duty vehicles sold in the Golden State last year. The EV market share in California is three times higher than the EV market share in the rest of the United States. Dealers anticipate spending an average of $295,000 each on EV charging infrastructure in 2023 to help meet the needs of CA’s EV consumer demand.
Additionally, California’s new car dealers consistently act as local community stewards year after year, giving $67.66 million to charitable and civic organizations in 2023, an average of $46,500 per dealership to good causes.
The report is made possible by CNCDA’s dealer members, who completed the association’s annual Economic Impact Survey and statewide auto sales data.
About CNCDA For 100 years, the California New Car Dealers Association has represented California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. CNCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new and used motor vehicles and provide automotive products, parts, services, and repairs. In 2022, California’s franchised new car dealers sold more than 1.6 million new cars and trucks, employed more than 136,000 people, paid $8.46 billion in sales tax, and donated $62.84 million to charitable and civic organizations. As the nation’s largest state association of franchised automotive dealers—with over 1,200 members—CNCDA provides legal compliance and legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy.
LAS VEGAS, NV – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to thank all members, sponsors, and friends who attended the 2024 NADA Show and CNCDA’s Welcome Party. We appreciate all the members who came to celebrate, reconnect, and learn. We hope to see you all in 2025 in New Orleans!
CA 2023 Auto Market Recap: Highest Registrations Reported Since 2020 New Vehicle Registrations Post 11.9% Increase in 2023
Click on the image to view the report.
The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) released its fourth quarter 2023 California Auto Outlook report today. The report summarizes vehicle registration and sales data for 2023, and estimates projected 2024 sales in California’s vehicle market. CNCDA’s Auto Outlook data is sourced from Experian Automotive.
Major takeaways: 2023 proved to be a banner year for new car sales in California, reaching the highest numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.78 million sales reported (higher than the 1.76 million predicted by this publication last year). Year over year, the state’s 2023 new vehicle registrations posted an 11.9 percent increase (1,775,915) compared to 2022 figures.
The top three passenger cars sold in California in 2023 were the Tesla Model 3, the Toyota Camry, and the Honda Civic. The top three light trucks for the year were the Tesla Model Y, the Toyota RAV4, and the Honda CR-V. Toyota held its place as the top-selling brand in California again in 2023.
Predictions for 2024 include another increase in new vehicle registrations by 3.2 percent, approaching 1.83 million units sold. This is due to the state’s significant and lasting demand for new cars, a strong labor market, and a positive economic outlook statewide. Potential threats include the 2024 presidential election, geopolitical tensions, etc. However, should Federal interest rates level out, auto sales in California are poised to post a more significant increase than predicted. These predictions are based on current trends and market conditions and may be subject to adjustment.
The report highlights the fifth consecutive quarterly increase in new car sales in the state. The Q4 2023 pace of new car sales showed a slight acceleration compared to Q3 (20.3 percent), posting a respectable 6 percent increase. The 2023 final registration numbers exceeded 426,000 units, 24,000 units higher than reported in Q4 2022.
“Overall, 2023 was a solid year for our businesses. We were able to adapt and evolve to meet our customers’ needs and preferences while remaining community stalwarts,” says David Simpson, CNCDA Chairman and owner of Simpson Buick GMC Cadillac of Buena Park, Simpson Chevrolet of Garden Grove, and Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine. “We do our best to work with our respective manufacturers to inform them about statewide customer trends and order the vehicles that Californians tell us they want when they walk onto our lots daily.”
Vehicle Powertrain Dashboard
The report’s new vehicle powertrain dashboard details the state’s battery electric vehicles (BEV), non-plug-in hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales and market health. The state’s BEV market share declined in Q4 2023 from the previous quarter, closing the year at 21.4 percent. Alternatively, the state’s non-plug-in hybrid vehicles jumped to their highest numbers, at 11.1 percent sold in 2023. California’s total new BEV market share sales increased by five percent compared to 2022.
ICE-powered vehicles (gas and diesel) accounted for 63.9 percent of the state’s new vehicle sales share in 2023, losing about 7.7 points from 2022 numbers. In 2023, combined sales of BEVs, PHEVs, hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles in the state accounted for 35.9 percent of the market share (compared to 11.6 percent in 2018).
California leads the way in BEV registrations, posting 33.8 percent of all sales nationwide. The U.S. market share of BEV vehicles is less substantial, posting 7.5 percent in 2023.
Hybrids and Electric Vehicles
California’s top three selling BEV and PHEV models are the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, and the Chevy Bolt. The Jeep Wrangler captured fourth place and remained the best-selling PHEV in 2023.
While Tesla remains California’s BEV market share leader, its lead is diminishing as traditional automakers roll out new electric models. Tesla showed a significant decline in sales in 2023, with a 10.5 percent loss in market share YTD. Mercedes and BMW showed the highest increase in BEV sales in the state, reporting 2.2 and 2.8 percent, respectively.
In 2023, franchised dealerships accounted for over 62 percent of all alternative powertrain types in combined sales. Last year, franchised dealership sales in the BEV-only market increased to 35.8 percent. Sales of BEVs at franchised dealerships rose 94 percent from 2022 to 2023, compared to a 29 percent increase by direct sellers. This helps further demonstrate that Californians are interested in purchasing new BEV model rollouts from the mainstay manufacturers that they know and trust.
In 2023, Northern Californians remained the significant adopters of BEVs, capturing 25.6 percent of the state’s BEV market share, while Southern CA sales reported 21.3 percent of registrations.
Model Segment Rankings
California’s 2023 best sellers in the primary segments include the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Tesla Model 3, Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-Series, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, and the Lexus RX.
Brand Market Share and Summary
Brand registrations increased in 2023 for 26 of the top 30 selling brands in the state, with Toyota remaining California’s market share leader, holding 15.7 percent. Tesla follows at 13 percent, Honda holds 9.7 percent, Ford at 7.7 percent, and Chevrolet at 6.7 percent.
The state’s registration numbers do not mirror the rest of the U.S., which reports Toyota (12.6 percent of share), Ford (11.8 percent), and Chevy (at 11.2 percent) as the top-selling brands in 2023.
The brands showing the most significant positive change in 2023 registration numbers in California were Rivian (142.7 percent), Buick (57.3 percent), Infinity (34.7 percent), Honda (33.4 percent), and Audi (31.5 percent).
Regional Variances
Car and light truck retail registrations from Northern and Southern California markets are up from last year. The Northern market captured an additional 10.1 percent of the statewide total year over year, with the Southern portion of the state showing an 8.8 percent increase from 2022.
###
California Auto Outlook Quarterly is produced for CNCDA by Auto Outlook, Inc., an independent research company that analyzes statewide and regional automotive markets. When reporting these auto industry trends, please acknowledge the Data Source: Experian Automotive.
The report provides comprehensive information on CA’s new vehicle market, includes annual trends, a two-year perspective, vehicle powertrain dashboard, segment watch, the top models in each segment, brand scoreboards, regional comparisons, and more. Access the complete report at www.cncda.org.
About CNCDA
For 100 years, the California New Car Dealers Association has represented California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. CNCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new and used motor vehicles and provide automotive products, parts, services, and repairs. In 2022, California’s franchised new car dealers sold more than 1.6 million new cars and trucks, employed more than 136,000 people, paid $8.46 billion in sales tax, and donated $62.84 million to charitable and civic organizations. As the nation’s largest state association of franchised automotive dealers—with over 1,200 members—CNCDA provides legal compliance and legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy.
