Episode #1335: Inventory tightens as hybrids fly off lots, Hertz leans into retail with an eBay storefront, and Delta redraws the snack map—cutting service on shorter flights while upgrading longer ones.

Show Notes with links:

New-vehicle inventory tightened heading into May, with hybrid demand doing its best “hot ticket on the lot” impression. Catalyst IQ says overall supply dipped month over month, while hybrids and EVs hit record demand and supplies of those models shrank.
- U.S. light-vehicle inventory fell to 2.85 million, down 2.7% from April but still up 1.2% year over year.
- Industrywide days’ supply dropped to 76 days, down from 80 in April.
- Hybrids are moving fastest, averaging 59 days on lots, compared with 75 for gas vehicles and 114 for EVs.
- Small and midsize sedans remain tightest by segment, while half-ton pickups have thinned, partly due to F-150 shortages tied to the Novelis fire.
- Toyota Motor North America’s reported days’ supply stayed flat month over month.

Hertz Car Sales is doubling down on retail, expanding its reach with a new digital storefront on eBay as it shifts away from wholesale channels. The move puts its near-new inventory in front of millions of online shoppers.
- Hertz Car Sales launched an eBay storefront with 8,000+ certified vehicles available nationwide.
- The initiative is part of its strategy to make retail its primary sales channel, rather than wholesale.
- Vehicles are typically one year old or newer, priced below new, and sourced from its rental fleet.
- The company continues building an omnichannel approach across its site, Amazon Autos, and Rent2Buy.
- “It gives us access to millions of in-market shoppers… and supports a scalable retail model,” said EVP Chris Berg.

Delta is trimming its onboard snack game, tightening service on shorter flights while boosting it on longer ones. Starting May 19, the airline will shift to a distance-based approach that could mean fewer Biscoff cookies—or more, depending on your route.
- Complimentary snacks and drinks will only be served on flights over 350 miles for Main and Comfort passengers.
- Over 450 shorter flights (under 349 miles) will lose current express service offerings.
- Some mid-range flights actually get an upgrade, moving from limited to full service.
- Delta says the change is about creating a “more consistent experience” across its network.
- First-class service remains unchanged across all flight lengths.

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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