Number of New Car Dealers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
36,288
new car dealers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The new car dealers industry has declined 15.3% since 2000 (from 42,851 to 36,288 firms).
- •The peak year was 2005 with 43,835 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-1.9%).
- •Employment: 1,289,244 workers in 2023 (6.1% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 65%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 36,288 | 43,947 | 1,289,244 | 7.9% | 8.4% | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 36,818 | 44,211 | 1,296,975 | 9.5% | 8.3% | +2.7% |
| 2021 | 36,424 | 43,654 | 1,263,136 | 9.4% | 8.3% | -6.0% |
| 2020 | 36,458 | 43,241 | 1,343,017 | 8.1% | 8.8% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 36,984 | 43,516 | 1,333,027 | 7.9% | 8.2% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 37,249 | 43,606 | 1,331,403 | 7.8% | 8.3% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 37,553 | 43,803 | 1,329,809 | 8.4% | 8.2% | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 37,569 | 43,729 | 1,296,848 | 8.6% | 7.7% | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 37,535 | 43,382 | 1,243,427 | 8.4% | 7.5% | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 37,456 | 42,995 | 1,190,018 | 8.6% | 7.7% | +4.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.