The latest year-end franchise dealership counts from the Automotive News Data Center and Urban Science differ on details but agree factories reduced their U.S. rosters last year.

The 2026 Automotive News dealer census shows 29,387 franchises (1.5% fewer than a year ago) in 18,300 franchised stores (11 fewer). Urban Science’s 2025 Year-End Automotive Franchise Activity Report counts 29,708 franchises (-0.13%) in 18,398 rooftops (24 more).

AN analysts say franchises sold 532 new vehicles apiece (up 4.1%) in 2025; Urban Science puts the average throughput at 889 units (up 1.8%).

“Despite minor fluctuations throughout the year, 2025 reflected overall stability across the U.S. automotive retail network, but those figures only tell part of the story,” writes Urban Science’s global director of data, Mitch Phillips, in a release. “Shifting consumer powertrain preferences and evolving buying behaviors are reshaping the market, requiring automakers to remain nimble.”

AN includes 44 brands in its tallies, adding Britain’s Ineos Automotive for the first time this year. Urban Science’s report does not list the brands or number of brands it counts.