The number of new-car dealerships in the U.S. increased by nearly 1% in 2024, reaching a total of 18,311 as of January 1, according to the 2025 Automotive News Dealer Census. The total number of franchises decreased by 1.3%, bringing the count down to 29,829. Despite the reduction in franchises, the average throughput for the industry rose by 5.8%, reaching 511 vehicles per franchise. This increase was fueled by higher U.S. sales of light vehicles, which totaled 15.35 million, up from 14.9 million in 2023. Domestic automakers, including Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, continued consolidating their networks, shedding stores while...