Lincoln Kia Dealer Restocks With Large Shipment, Drawing Buyers From Across the Country
A big delivery of new vehicles at Kia of Lincoln is offering a rare break from tight inventory, though staff say the supply is unlikely to last.
By Thabo Mokoena ·
Anyone who has driven past car dealerships around Lincoln lately has likely seen lots with few vehicles on them. As of Aug. 8, 2022, one local dealer is reporting a welcome change, though employees do not expect it to last.
Kia of Lincoln has taken delivery of a large shipment of brand-new vehicles, which the dealership describes as its first sign of normalcy since the start of the pandemic. The arrival has drawn attention from shoppers well beyond Nebraska, many of whom have been waiting close to a year for a particular car.
"Kansas City, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, Arizona, we are selling Kia's across the country on a first come first serve basis," said Kyle Hager, manager of general sales at Kia of Lincoln.
Hager said the shipment suggests conditions could eventually return to normal, but the dealership has not yet recovered its pre-pandemic stock levels. He expects many of the vehicles to sell quickly. "We will never see anything like this probably for another year," he said.
Customers hunting for specific models have had some of the longest waits, and dealership staff worry that those who hesitate now could face an even longer delay. Hager pointed to one buyer who waited a year and a half for a Telluride. The dealership currently has seven Tellurides on hand, and he urged anyone who has been waiting for one to come in as soon as possible.
The benefits may also reach the used-car market. As more dealerships receive new inventory, owners of vehicles that are two or three years old can trade up, which in turn gives used-car sellers more to choose from.
AJ Eastep, sales and finance manager at PricedRite auto sales, described the effect. "People who have two or three-year-old cars are able to get a brand new car, which in turn makes it easier for us to go and purchase a newer, nicer vehicle for a good price," he said.
With prices elevated across the board compared with previous years, a larger supply of new vehicles could widen the range of people able to afford a used one. Eastep said he hopes "prices are going to come down and be a little more affordable for everybody."
Originally published by News Media House · Source: KLKN-TV Channel 8
