Measuring April And Batteries

According to Cox Automotive's Auto Market Report, the market is doing market things. Let's look:

• Consumer Sentiment is up 3.4% in April but still near a record low. 
• Used Sales were down 8% year over year (YOY) and 1% week over week (WOW), but New sales were up 13% YOY and flat WOW.
• New Supply is up 18 days YOY but down three from March. Used dropped seven days YOY, but is unchanged compared to March. 
• Retail prices increased by 0.4%, while wholesale prices decreased by 0.2%
• Kelley Blue Book and Auto Trader leads are down, but completed service appointments are up.
  

Speaking of looking for more used inventory... As EVs enter the used market more frequently, shoppers and dealers alike are learning how to determine the value of these massive batteries on wheels.

JD Power and Morotq have partnered to produce the world's first real-world data-backed EV battery health measurements. By collaborating with automakers, measurements will compare real-world vehicle data to stated health when new.

Of course, the process will have broader uses than used inventory appraisal. Questions about the real-world range of EV batteries have been around as long as the first one buzzed onto the scene. The collaboration will help brands accurately advertise an EV's range with some peer-reviewed data to back up the claims.