ATLANTA -

As weather warmed up across the country last month, sporty cars were in high demand and short supply.

This is according to the latest installment of vehicle scarcity data that is provided monthly to Auto Remarketing by AutoTrader.com.

As consumers started turning their attention toward sportier rides, many key models in this segment appeared on both the national and designated market area (DMA) scarcity reports in March.

Perhaps a result of the season shift, none of the vehicles highlighted at the top of last month's scarcity reports were on the lists at all in February.

Overall, both the Mercedes-Benz CLA Class and the Volkswagen Golf R stood out nationally, according to AutoTrader.com data, with both units landing on both the certified pre-owned and used national scarcity lists.

These vehicles were also scarce across several DMAs.

Juan Flores, director of operations for AutoTrader.com's Trade-In Marketplace, offered a bit of commentary as to why the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s presence on the list bodes well for MBUSA dealers.

"The presence of the Mercedes-Benz CLA on this list is great for Mercedes Benz dealers. The introduction of a very refreshing style combined with attractive lease offers has stimulated consumer interest to a level that CPO consumers are paying attention,” said Flores.  “Dealers should expect this level of vehicle scarcity for quite some time, or at least until the current CLA lease volume returns to market 24-36 months from now. The OEM should be very proud of this accomplishment."

The CPO Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has become the most scarce vehicle in March for the CPO segment nationally. The CPO CLA was also scarce in Houston, coming in at No. 1.

The late-model used Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class landed at No. 4 on that national scarcity list, and it also came in at No. 1 in Dallas/Ft. Worth, No. 3 in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., No. 4 in New York and No. 10 in Philadelphia. 

The VW Golf R also saw a surge in demand, and the CPO and late-model used versions of the unit were scarce across the U.S. in March, landing on the national lists and in several DMAs.

The CPO Golf R came in at No. 3 on the national scarcity list. In the DMAs, the CPO model came in at No. 2 in Los Angeles and No. 3 in Chicago.

The late-model used Golf R came in at No. 2 on the national used scarcity list. In the DMAs, the used model came in at No. 1 in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.; No. 2 in Los Angeles; and No. 3 in Houston.

Also a big name on the lists this month was Subaru. The brand had two sporty cars appear — the BRZ and the Impreza WRX — on the CPO and late-model used scarcity lists throughout the nation’s top markets:

  • The CPO Subaru BRZ came in at No. 5 on the national CPO scarcity list. The CPO model was also scarce across four DMAs, landing at No. 1 in New York, No. 2 in Houston, No. 3 in Los Angeles and No. 9 in Philadelphia.
  • The late-model used Subaru BRZ came at No. 2 in Dallas/Ft. Worth, No. 4 in Chicago and Los Angeles, No. 5 in Boston, No. 8 in Philadelphia and No. 10 in Washington, D.C.
  • The Subaru Impreza WRX was quite scarce as well, with the CPO model coming in at No. 4 in Los Angeles and No. 5 in Philadelphia. The late-model used Subaru WRX was scarce in even more DMAs, coming in at No. 2 in Atlanta, No. 4 in Houston, No. 6 in San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose and Washington, D.C., No. 7 in Chicago and Philadelphia, No. 8 in Boston and No. 10 in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Additionally, the late-model used version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was scarce nationally, as well as in several DMAs, AutoTrader.com pointed out.

The late-model used Mitsubishi came in at No. 9 on that national scarcity list, and appeared in several DMAs as well. It landed at No. 1 in Chicago, No. 2 in Washington, D.C.; No. 3 in Atlanta and Philadelphia; No. 5 in San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose; No. 6 in Boston, Houston, and Dallas/Ft. Worth; and No. 7 in New York.