New vehicle inventory has remained at alarmingly high levels for quite a while now, though some automotive brands are faring much better than others. Unfortunately for The Blue Oval, that hasn’t included Ford or Lincoln, which have posted some of the highest inventory levels in the industry for months now. That didn’t change in the month of January 2025 to kick off the new year, either, as both Ford and Lincoln inventory levels expanded to their highest level in some time.
In December 2024, Lincoln inventory levels closed out the year at a 146 days’ supply – second only to Jaguar, as that brand was more than double the industry average of 75. Unfortunately for Ford’s luxury arm, that situation only got worse in January 2025, according to new data from Cox Automotive, and Lincoln inventory levels grew to a level that was at least double the national average of 96 days’ – and higher even than Mini, which posted a 186 days’ supply of inventory. Ford didn’t fare much better, ranking right behind that trio with a 138 days’ supply of inventory, too.
It is worth noting that the industry average increased substantially as well – from 75 days to 96 month-over-month – which Cox Automotive blames on the typical January sales slowdown (posting a 25 percent month-over-month decrease this year), as well as weather disruptions across the U.S. Ford and Chevy were the only two brands carrying more than 10 percent of new-vehicle inventory at 17 and 11 percent, respectively, but Ford is also being weighed down by 2024 model year vehicles in its current inventory, which account for 63 percent of that total.
While the average list price for a new vehicle in January came in at $48,637 – 2.5 percent less than December but 2.5 percent higher than a year prior – the vast majority of existing inventory consists of pricier models. In fact, 81 automotive models on the market were priced at $40,000 and below at the conclusion of last month, while just 27 sit below the $30,000 mark.
Comments
Not sure what styling features differentiate Lincoln.
They appear generic and derivative.
I have to assume Nautilus is a big contributing number since they need to stock the supply chain from China. Ordering a Nautilus from China is a prolonged process so they need to keep their local mix high. Just some speculation. Nautilus is hugely successful so it’s working.
Ironic. The brand was named after a man who believed in freedom and human rights, yet the Brand’s best seller is from a communist country that shuns human rights at every turn.
With a lineup consisting of 4 overpriced, boxy Milk Trucks, couple that with quality control issues under Failure Farley, they’re lucky their inventory levels are not triple the national average.
The Mustang is over priced, the F150 refresh was a grill and heads up display. The F150 is way over priced for just a grill change and no mechanical changes or improvements. If you do not get a top spec F150 you get the old dash without the hud display and basically its the same truck as last year with less choice on features. They need to drop the 1.5 in the bronco sport its a dud of a motor. The new Maverick Lobo sport truck has no engine upgrade and compared to last years has less horsepower. The interest rates they are asking for are way to high and they are giving the rebates to non Ford owners. Ford owners have to pay more than the non Ford owners that makes allot of sense. Lincoln is just over priced also with no improvements in drive trains and less choice also no hybrids in top models like Aviator or Navigator.
At this point Ford would be smart just to combine Lincoln with its Ford dealer network and call it a day. I cannot see how you can float a dealer network with only 100k sales a year.
A quick search shows 2024 US sales of 104,823 and 486 dealers. Lets see that is 216 new vehicles a year per dealership. Divide by 12 equals 18 vehicles a month. 4.3 weeks in a month so it averages out to 4.18 new sales a week. Used sales and constant stream of recalls and crappy quality must be keeping them in business. I’ve been there and I was waiting for the tumbleweed to blow thru the showroom.
Lincoln needs to build beautiful, roomy CAR with true quality. I really wanted to buy a gently used Continental, but the quality issues are troubling. My GenX self would love to travel the highways in a beautiful, comfortable Lincoln automobile.
My 2016 Ford Flex SEL was only $ 33000 after Rebates and trade-in of a 11 yr. old 2005 Lincoln Town Car Limited for $ 3000 . I had paid around $ 48,000 in 2005 . I got $ 6,000 for a 1997 Cadillac D’elegance for a trade in 2005. What a big difference in trade-in Values for the Lincoln . If you don’t treat your Lincoln Owners right ; why buy a Lincoln ?
When I could not afford one, Lincoln with their Town Cars, Continentals, and Marks were a brand I aspired to. Now that I can afford a luxury vehicle, Lincoln is not even a blip on my radar screen.
Lincoln Nautilus dealers may have a 146 day inventory because they aren’t offering deals or financial incentives to current Ford and Lincoln owners in order to close out 2024 models. I made an invoice offer for a 2024 Reserve I hybrid that had been sitting on the dealer lot for nine months and they wouldn’t budge. I ended up driving 150 miles to a megadealer where I purchased my 2025 Nautilus Reserve III hybrid.