Wholesale Slide Deepens Across the Southeast — How Smart Dealers Are Adjusting Their Tempo
Late October was one of those weeks where the market spoke loud and clear. According to Black Book’s October 28 update, wholesale prices across the Southeast slipped another 0.84% for the week ending Oct 25 — the steepest single-week drop since early summer. Around the same time, Manheim’s Used Vehicle Value Index (mid-Oct) pointed to softening in volume segments while retail days’ supply held steady per Cox Automotive’s Oct 28 market report. That combo — flat retail, falling wholesale — means the market’s moving faster than many pricing schedules.
What We’re Seeing Across the Southeast
Dealers are adapting at different speeds, but the pattern is consistent. Stores running once-a-week price reviews are losing ground before the meeting even starts. The ones staying ahead are tightening their rhythm — reacting every 5–7 days, not 10–14. In short, cadence beats courage right now. The stores that move first aren’t always the ones with the best inventory, but they are the ones that stay visible as shoppers chase payments over price.
Why It Matters
This month's consistent theme: SRPs (Search Results Pages) are steady across most Southeast metros, while VDPs (Vehicle Detail Page views) are slipping. That gap signals hesitation — not disinterest. Buyers are still searching, but they’re pausing before clicking in. That’s the moment to adjust your story, not just your sticker.
How Dealers Are Responding
- Pricing tighter — launching in the competitive top third of the market instead of mid-pack.
- Pre-scheduling price actions — day-7 and day-14 moves set up front to keep tempo consistent.
- Accelerating merchandising — getting fresh units online (photos, options, description) within 24 hours of arrival.
- Watching SRP→VDP velocity as the early signal — not waiting for aged buckets to flag it.
Where the Market Heads Next
If this trend holds into mid-November, expect more disciplined buying and fewer speculative bids. Low LMDS (Like-Mine Days Supply) plus high scarcity will keep moving; the rest will flatten until retail demand resets. This season is for clean trades, thinner purchases, and smarter turn discipline — not hero buys.
Regional Takeaway
Across the Southeast, strong operators are playing defense with precision — keeping inventory lean, pricing on rhythm, and letting data guide emotion. The market doesn’t reward panic, but it also doesn’t wait for permission to move. As this slide unfolds, one truth remains: velocity favors preparation.
Your turn: Are you seeing the same SRP-steady, VDP-soft pattern in your market?
Drop a quick note in the comments with what’s helping you stay ahead of the slide — pricing rhythm, merchandising tweaks, or sourcing shifts.