2018 New Car Sales Don’t Look Good

When 2017 was about to kick off, predictions were that new car sales would be much lower than the huge surge in 2016. Thanks to some factors like a couple of hurricanes that destroyed so many vehicles, the year wasn’t quite as dismal as everyone thought. But with 2018 starting up, analysts are thinking not a lot of people will be buying new cars, per an Automotive News report.

Basically, sales volume could be at its lowest in four years. Is that the end of the world? No. After the big car shopping bonanza, we knew this was coming. Projections for 2017 total car sales peg it at 17.2 million.

What’s really interesting is that the auto industry hasn’t seen a sales decline since 2009. Even during the recession, new car sales increased. Of course, back then it was a lot of cheap subcompacts, so the profit margins were thinner.

If you’re looking to buy a new car in the next year, you could be in for some luck. Dealerships and automakers will be offering incentives, slashing prices, and more to win your business. At the same time, fewer vehicles will be rolling off production lines.

On the flip side, analysts think used car sales will surge in 2018. The reason: Trump’s tax plan. More lease returns will flood the market, giving people incentive to buy.