U.S. Vehicle Supply Fairly Tight at Foreign Carmakers

Japanese and European carmakers ended March with relatively low American inventories of cars and light trucks in the U.S. after the month's brisk sales thinned out dealer lots.

Industrywide, light vehicle stockpiles on March 31 totaled 2.6 million units in the American market, up nearly 3% from February to a three-year high, according to Ward's AutoInfoBank. But based on last month's sales rates, that translates into only a 55-day supply compared with the ideal of roughly 60 days.

Asian carmakers averaged a 43-day supply of vehicles. Inventories at Japanese automakers remain relatively low even after months of restocking after last year's natural disasters in Japan and Thailand. Hyundai and Kia, which posted sales gains of 13% and 30% in March, had a stockpile of only 25 days, Ward's says.

Ford and Chrysler both have 60 days worth of inventory. GM has amassed an 86-day supply.