Has the auto market peaked? A good time to sell a dealership.

In a recent Auto News article, "Worry grows as stair-steps get steeper, it appears that auto manufacturers are increasing pressure in keeping sales activity high to preserve market share.  Many dealers are concerned about the manufacturers stair-step incentives which push sales targets out of reach.  In fact, in a recent NADA survey, 64% of all dealers who responded said that they disliked stair-steps.  The same percentage said that stair-steps disrupted the markets and harm credibility. Yet here we are.  Why is that?  When sales show signs of a slowdown, automakers ladle on incentives, such as stair-steps. Since dealers seem to be wary, it appears that those incentives may not be as effective as automakers hope.

Have we seen this before?  Last 2015 Q4, we were preaching that the market would peak by the turn of the calendar year and then the downward cycle would begin - remember that?That is the absolute best last moment to sell before Blue Sky begins to erode!And now my friends, it appears that we are here in that market.  Definitely a good time to sell, but also a good time to buy, as well, because the decline in the Market is slow and not particularly onerous.  Looks like we have at least 3 years before we see a more radical decrease.  Do you agree?  What are your thoughts?