Insights

ATLANTA, Mar. 25, 2026 – The U.S. new-vehicle sales pace in March is forecast to finish essentially unchanged from February, according to Cox Automotive, the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. Despite the added uncertainty of a war in the Middle East, March is expected to hold steady at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of approximately 15.8 million, a level mostly consistent with the final three months of 2025.  The sales pace in March is …

The Cox Automotive Q1 2026 Industry Insights and Sales Forecast Call will be held today, March 24th, at 11 a.m. EDT. The presentation is available for download. The Economic and Industry Insights team will deliver a update on the U.S. automotive industry in Q1, focusing on the new, used and electric vehicle markets. This call …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on the Fed meeting, producer prices, vehicle affordability and the housing market.   The week brought a meaningful slate of economic releases against a backdrop of rising tension in the Middle East, which is already showing up in gas prices and consumer sentiment. Even so, Manheim data suggests …

Welcome to the monthly Manheim Market Insights update. Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb offers a check-in on what we are seeing in the used wholesale and retail markets, all through the wide lens of the data available from Cox Automotive. This month’s video highlights the mid-month Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI), the key metrics seen at wholesale, and …

The Auto Market Brief – Bonus In this Episode Geopolitical tensions are on the rise, and they’re creating ripple effects across energy markets and global supply chains. So, what does that mean for the automotive industry right now?  In this special bonus episode, we break down how the conflict involving Iran could show up in …

In a recent interview moderated by Yossi Levi, founder and CEO of Car Dealership Guy, Cox Automotive’s Derek Hansen, SVP of Dealer, Lender & Inventory Management, sat down to cut through the noise around AI in dealerships and focus on the tools and practices that are driving real results today. The conversation began by outlining …

Key Metrics Expert Perspective — Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist, Cox Automotive “The auto market is staying strong through what is typically the strongest seasonal period of the year, even as the conflict in the Middle East casts a shadow over the future outlook.  Tax refunds have continued to boost consumer buying power, with the average refund almost 11% higher than last year.  Additionally, our estimates …

February underscored the EV market’s new reality, with new EV sales sharply lower year over year and used EV momentum continuing to build. Inventory levels tightened from January and prices were pushed lower across both new and used segments, highlighting a market increasingly driven by affordability and demand alignment. New and Used EV Sales – …

New-vehicle affordability in the U.S. improved slightly in February, as strong income growth and improving incentives more than offset higher transaction prices and little changed interest rates. The February data was gathered before the impact of a war in the Middle East began to push loan rates higher and consumer sentiment lower. In February, the …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on credit availability, consumer prices, consumer sentiment, and the labor market. The week brought a meaningful slate of economic releases against a backdrop of war in the Middle East, which is already making its presence felt at the gas pump and in consumer confidence readings. …