The number of franchise dealerships in the U.S. remained stable in 2023, according to the latest research from Urban Science.

The automotive consulting and technology firm’s 2023 year-end Automotive Franchise Activity Report found there were 18,347 dealership rooftops nationally as of Dec. 31, 90 more than at the end of 2022. Meanwhile, the number of franchises — the brands a dealership sells — dropped to 30,504 in 2023, a year-over-year decrease of 1,050 franchises.

The study also showed a 13% rise in new-vehicle sales, primarily driven by non-retail sales.

Annual dealership throughput — the number of vehicles a dealership sells — rose 92 units, from 759 in 2022 to 851 last year, the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent chip shortage.

Based on GlobalData’s sales forecast of 16.1 million units in 2024, Urban Science projected throughput to reach 880 units this year.

The report showed 86% of the nation’s core-based statistical areas had zero net change in their dealership count, and another 10% had a net change of just one store. At the state level, California led the U.S. with a net gain of 31 dealerships, ahead of Texas (18) and Florida (15). New York had the largest net decrease with six stores, followed by Nebraska (minus-4) and Virginia and Illinois, each with a net loss of three.

“As the automotive industry continues to transform at a record pace, it’s critical for automakers to tap the power of industry sales data updated daily to understand and anticipate the wide-ranging and quickly changing needs and behaviors of their customers and prospects,” Urban Science director of global data Mitch Phillips said in a news release.

“Preparing to optimally sell and service EVs with a strong base of ICE vehicles still on the road requires high-stakes decision-making that should be rooted in science, not speculation, to help manufacturers and their retailers better compete and achieve sustainable efficiency and profitability during the next 10 years and beyond.”