Auto Credit Availability Increased Again in April But Trends Varied by Channel and Lender

2 min read

Access to auto credit increased again in April, and auto loan credit was the most accessible since April 2020, according to the Dealertrack Auto Credit Availability Index for all types of auto loans. The All Loans Index increased 0.4% to 98.4 in April, reflecting that auto credit was easier to get in the month compared to March. Access is tighter by 2.4% year over year, but that comparison is against abnormal credit conditions in April 2020. Compared to February 2020, access is tighter by 0.7%.  Trends … Continued

Auto Market Weekly Summary

4 min read

The trend in new daily COVID-19 cases declined again last week, but the vaccination pace slowed as well. In terms of the economy, the jobs recovery lost momentum, but vehicle sales soared.  The vehicle market improved upon March’s incredible performance with even tighter supply. New and used retail sales beat the April 2019 performance. Used-vehicle … Continued

3 Straight Record Months in Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index

News 1 min read

Auto Remarketing, May 7, 2021 – Make that three straight months of records for the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index. The Cox Automotive business unit’s measure of wholesale car prices came in at 194.0 for April, which beat year-ago figures by 54.3% and was nearly a 15-point jump from the prior record set a month … Continued

Wholesale Prices Continue Record-Setting Performance

2 min read

Wholesale used vehicle prices (on a mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted basis) increased 8.30% month over month in April. This brought the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index to 194.0, a 54.3% increase from a year ago and a record high for the Index. Manheim Market Report (MMR) prices saw weekly price increases in April that … Continued

Eyes Wide Open: New Study Shows Car Shoppers Expect Higher Prices, Low Inventory

3 min read

You’ve likely seen with your own eyes the havoc being wreaked in the auto industry by the global microchip shortage. Drive through Dearborn, Michigan, home of Ford Motor Company and the company’s Dearborn Truck Plant, and it’s hard to miss: New Ford F-150 pickup trucks – the best-selling vehicle in America – are packed into … Continued

April Fleet Sales Retreat After March Improvement, Remain Down 16% from Year-Ago Level

2 min read

In April, 148,118 total fleet units were sold, a 19% month-over-month drop compared to 183,042 in March but a 106% increase from April 2020 which recorded 72,084 units. This brings the 2021 year-to-date total combined large rental, commercial, and government purchases of new vehicles to 662,784 units, a 16% decrease from this time in 2020 … Continued

Q1 2021 Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch Report: SUVs Hit Another Record; Subaru Models Ride the Wave

9 min read

SUVs dominated again in the first quarter as Subaru Outback and Forester rode that wave, according to the Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch™ report for Q1 2021. Kia gained more than other brands, Ford lost a bit of steam, and Ram returned to a winning streak in terms of factors important to shoppers. The Kelley … Continued

Cox Automotive Analysis: Stellantis’ Q1 2021 U.S. Market Performance

4 min read

Stellantis, now the world’s fourth-largest auto company by sales volume, will report its first-quarter 2021 financial results Wednesday, May 5. It will be the first quarterly financial results from the company formed officially early in the quarter by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA (Peugeot) Group. In the U.S., the company improved its sales … Continued

It’s the Best Time Ever to Sell a Used Car — as Long as You Don’t Need to Buy One

News 1 min read

Los Angeles Times, May 4, 2021 – Clarissa Iliff logged about 78,000 miles on her trusty 2015 Ford Focus before a looming new car purchase rendered it expendable earlier this year.  Trying to unload it, the Orange resident took the Ford to a local car dealership, which offered her $4,850 for the sedan in late … Continued

Cox Automotive Analysis: GM’s Q1 2021 U.S. Market Performance

5 min read

General Motors posts first-quarter 2021 financial results on Wednesday, May 5. Analysts expect strong earnings on higher revenues. They will look for GM’s take on the global computer chip shortage and its anticipated effect on GM’s sales and operations. GM did not return to pre-pandemic sales levels across the board as it was hampered by … Continued