Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index: Mid-September 2026 Trends
Key Metrics Expert Perspective — Jonathan Gregory, Senior Director, Cox Automotive “Wholesale values pulled back in the first half of September, with the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index falling 1% from August to 206.2, and non-adjusted prices declined 1.1%. That…
Sept. 24: Q3 2026 Cox Automotive Sales Forecast Update
The Cox Automotive Economic and Industry Insights team will release its Q3 Cox Automotive Sales Forecast Update on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. EDT, shortly before the auto industry closes the book on the third quarter. The update will…
Dealer Concern About Tariffs Ease, but Risks Remain
Fewer franchised and independent dealers are concerned about tariffs than they were in March 2025. However, concern about parts, reconditioning, and service operations has increased. Dealer concern about tariffs has eased since Cox Automotive’s March 2025 survey, according to polling…
New-Vehicle Affordability Slips Slightly in August as Prices Rise
New-vehicle affordability declined slightly in August, according to the latest Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index. Higher prices outweighed lower interest rates, continued income growth and a smaller pullback in incentives. The estimated average auto loan rate decreased by 2…
EV Market Monitor – August 2026
August brought further evidence of a steadily maturing electric vehicle (EV) market. New and used EV sales increased from July, inventory levels moved closer to ICE+ vehicles and growing off-lease returns continued to expand used EV availability. At the same…
Ep. 17: Diesel Hits Record Highs, Credit Availability Improves, and the Industry Balances Innovation and Investment
The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #17 In this Episode Diesel prices have reached record highs, credit availability continues to improve, and automotive leaders are facing new questions about where to invest for the future. In this episode of The…
It’s Time to Let Go of “The Way It’s Always Been Done”
There’s a reason we fall back on “the way it’s always been done.” It’s familiar and it’s worked before. It can also keep an industry tied to practices that no longer match the world around it. That is the challenge…
Auto Market Weekly Summary
This mid-September edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary provides updates on consumer and producer inflation, consumer credit and auto credit availability. Energy prices are a key focus, with gasoline reaching $4.30 per gallon and diesel crossing $6 for the…
Used-Vehicle Prices Reach Highest Level Since 2022 as Inventory Tightens in August
Retail used-vehicle sales increased month over month in August, in line with typical seasonal gains, while inventory edged lower, according to Cox Automotive’s analysis of vAuto Live Market View data. Used-vehicle average listing prices increased to $27,239, 7% above a…
Auto Credit Access Reaches Highest Level Since 2015, but Borrowing Costs Rise
Auto credit access improved for a fourth consecutive month in August, reaching its highest level since November 2015, according to the Dealertrack Credit Availability Index. The All-Loans Index increased to 105.3, an increase of 0.4% from 104.9 in July and…
Retail Demand Remains Strong as New-Vehicle Inventory Declines in August
Consumer demand for new vehicles remained strong in August, with sales accelerating from July and continuing to draw down available inventory. According to Cox Automotive’s analysis of vAuto Live Market View data, inventory declined for the third consecutive month while…
Kelley Blue Book Report: Average New-Vehicle Transaction Price Moves Back Above $50,000 in August
ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2026 – The average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle in the U.S moved back above $50,000 in August, according to analysis by Kelley Blue Book. Transaction prices continued to be influenced by a richer mix…
Bonus Episode: FTC Pricing Rules Make Headlines, but the Real Story Is Transparency and Trust
The Auto Market Brief – Bonus In this Episode Is the industry’s move toward more transparent pricing a response to FTC pricing rules, or a shift that was already underway? In this bonus episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin…
Auto Market Weekly Summary
This early September edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary provides updates on important trends across the economy and automotive market, including new-vehicle sales, pricing and U.S. employment. Gas prices also rose last week, reaching $4.15 per gallon, while diesel…
Affordability Pressures Continue to Weigh on Dealer Confidence
The Q3 2026 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) shows dealers navigating a market shaped by economic uncertainty and ongoing affordability pressures. While sentiment softened during the third quarter, dealers also reported signs of stability in areas including inventory and…