Southeast US Automotive Market

The Southeast comprises major markets: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and surrounding states. Franchised dealer count exceeds 3,000; independent dealers add tens of thousands. Competitive intensity is high—used car volume and pricing pressure drive override decisions.

Override Benchmarks: Southeast

Dealer Profit Index Q1 2026: Southeast independents average 6.1% override rate—the highest among US regions. Southeast franchise: 4.5%. Margin loss for independents: 4.5%. Recovery after structured capture: 24% (also highest), indicating significant upside for those who implement.

Regulations

State dealer licensing varies. Florida, Georgia, and others mandate bonding, lot requirements, and disclosure rules. TILA-RESPA applies for consumer credit. FTC Safeguards for customer data. Ensure override documentation supports audit requirements.

Competitive Dynamics

Southeast markets are competitive. Customer shopping across multiple dealers is common. Desk matching and competitive overrides are frequent. Structured reason capture helps distinguish legitimate matches from policy drift.

Best Practices for Southeast Dealers

Require proof for competitive matches. Cap match amounts. Document competitor quote.
Segment by store. Multi-location groups—common in the Southeast—should compare override rates by location.
Use regional benchmarks. 6.1% independent override rate is the bar. Aim below.

Pricing Norms

DealerInt: $799/store/month. DMS/CRM typical $300–$800/month per rooftop. Southeast urban markets may pay premium. ROI case: 24% recovery potential—strong for the region.

Dealer Quote

"We run 12 rooftops across three states. DealerInt gave us override visibility we never had—recovered $47K in Q1." — Group GM, Southeast

Next Steps

Start a free trial or view Southeast geo pages.