Holdback
Holdback is a percentage of a vehicle's MSRP that manufacturers pay back to dealerships after a vehicle is sold, typically quarterly. It provides a profit cushion for dealers.
Holdback is an amount paid by a vehicle manufacturer to a dealership after a vehicle is sold. Typically calculated as 1–3% of MSRP (or base invoice), holdback is paid quarterly and represents a hidden profit cushion that exists even when a dealership appears to sell a vehicle at or near invoice. Holdback is separate from dealer incentives, factory-to-dealer cash, and customer rebates. Understanding holdback is important for calculating true vehicle cost and evaluating front-end gross on specific deals.
Category: Finance
Override exposure calculator
How much gross could untracked overrides be costing your store?
Drag the slider to match your average retail units per month. DealerInt customers typically see override leakage drop 30–50% in the first 90 days once every decision requires a reason and shows up on the GM's dashboard.
Est. monthly leakage
$16,800
Est. annual leakage
$201,600
Based on observed override patterns across DealerInt stores. Actual results vary; this is meant to make the invisible cost visible.
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