New-vehicle inventory tightened in July as sales picked up

What Cox measured for July

Cox Automotive's August 13 report, based on vAuto Live Market View data, estimates that 2.73 million new vehicles were available at the start of August. Inventory was 3.5% lower than a month earlier and essentially unchanged from a year earlier.

Cox estimates July sales increased 8.5% from June and 2.9% from July 2025. With sales moving faster than dealer-lot replenishment, national days of supply fell to 75 from a revised 82 at the beginning of July. These are observed proprietary industry estimates for July, not a forecast or government vehicle count.

Listing prices held steady while supply tightened

Cox puts the average new-vehicle listing price at $49,249 at the end of July, unchanged from the end of June and 1.6% higher than a year earlier. A listing price is an asking price; it is not the amount paid after incentives or negotiation and does not include every tax, fee, trade, financing cost, or optional product.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported separately that its new-vehicle consumer price index rose 0.1% from June after seasonal adjustment and 0.5% from July 2025 before seasonal adjustment. The BLS index measures average price change, while Cox's report measures listings and supply. Neither is a quote for one vehicle.

Availability varied by segment and powertrain

Cox reports that midsize-SUV days of supply fell by nearly 14 days during July. Full-size-truck supply tightened by 10 days as estimated sales in that segment rose nearly 16%. Toyota, Lexus, and Honda remained among the brands with the tightest inventory, while other brands carried substantially more supply.

Estimated EV sales rose 2.7% from June, below the overall market's 8.5% gain, and EV days of supply declined by 2.1 days. Internal-combustion and hybrid supply fell by 6.5 days. Those broad measures can point shoppers toward where comparison may be easier, but availability still varies by model, trim, options, and region.

How shoppers can use the July snapshot

• Compare several listings for the same model year, trim, powertrain, and options in your region.
• Ask for a written out-the-door price and verify which incentives apply to the exact VIN.
• Treat days of supply as market context, not a promise that a vehicle will be available or discounted.
• Compare APR, term, amount financed, total interest, and total of payments across written loan offers.