Cox Automotive Forecast: October New-Vehicle Sales Hold Steady Despite Lower Consumer Sentiment, Higher Borrowing Costs
ATLANTA, Oct. 27, 2026 – October new-vehicle sales are expected to finish higher than last month and last year, while maintaining the sales path held for most of the year. Despite declining consumer sentiment, the seasonally adjusted annual rate, or…
Ep. 20: Higher Auto Loan Costs Deepen Affordability Strains
The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #20 In this Episode How much are higher interest rates adding to the true cost of a vehicle, even when its purchase price has not changed dramatically? In this episode of The Auto Market…
Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index: Mid-October 2026 Trends
Key Metrics Expert Perspective — Jonathan Gregory, Senior Director, Cox Automotive “After a September that depreciated faster than normal, wholesale values firmed in early October. The Manheim Index rose 0.7% to 207.4 through mid-month, but prices didn’t climb. Non-adjusted values…
New-Vehicle Affordability Declines in September as Prices, Payments Rise
New-vehicle affordability declined in September, according to the Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index. Higher transaction prices outweighed strong income growth, slightly lower interest rates and a modest uptick in incentives. The estimated average auto loan rate decreased by 1…
EV Market Monitor – September 2026
September showed a more resilient electric vehicle (EV) market than headline sales volumes suggest. New EV sales edged lower, but EV share increased as the broader new-vehicle market contracted, while used EV sales rose to a record share of used-vehicle…
Used-Vehicle Inventory Builds as September Sales Pace Slows
September largely followed typical seasonal patterns, with retail used-vehicle sales declining from August while inventory and days’ supply increased, according to Cox Automotive’s analysis of vAuto Live Market View data. Average listing prices reached $27,235, their highest level since 2022,…
New-Vehicle Inventory Rebounds in September as Sales Pace Moderates
New-vehicle inventory increased in September as the sales pace slowed from August, providing the market with more available supply heading into the final quarter of the year. According to Cox Automotive’s analysis of vAuto Live Market View data, inventory rose…
Kelley Blue Book Report: Average New-Vehicle Transaction Prices Flirt with All-Time High, Despite Trend Toward More Affordable Product
The average transaction prices (ATP) for a new vehicle in the United States increased for the fourth consecutive month in September, according to an analysis by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand. The September average transaction price, or ATP,…
Auto Credit Access Rises for Fifth Straight Month as Longer Loan Terms Reach Record High
Auto credit access improved for a fifth consecutive month in September, reaching its highest level since April 2015, according to the Dealertrack Credit Availability Index. The All-Loans Index increased 1.9% to 107.1 from 105.1 in August and was 9.4% higher…
Ep. 19: Fuel Economy in Focus: From Resale Values to Regulations
The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #19 In this Episode How much is fuel economy shaping today’s automotive market? More than ever. From wholesale values and consumer demand to product planning, fleet investments, and federal regulations, efficiency is becoming a…
EV Sales in the U.S. Continue to Rise: Q3 2026 Hits Highest Volume in a Year
Editor’s note: This article was updated to correct a figure in the Q3 2026 EV Sales Report. The U.S. electric vehicle market delivered its strongest performance in a year during the third quarter. According to Kelley Blue Book estimates, 262,649…
Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index: September 2026 Trends
Key Metrics Expert Perspective — Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist, Cox Automotive “We are in the weakest season for wholesale valuations, and as September closed, depreciation was steeper than we typically see this time of year. The first half of the…
Q3 2026 Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index Report
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index Report is now available. The on-demand presentation covers the economy, overall auto market, wholesale market, auction data, rental market and Cox Automotive’s updated 2026 forecasts and outlook. The September results have also been posted.…
Ep. 18: Fed Policy Updates, Wholesale Trends and Regulatory Changes
The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #18 In this Episode How are higher interest rates, rising diesel prices, and new regulatory requirements reshaping the automotive market? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating is joined by…
Q3 2026 Cox Automotive Sales Forecast Update
The Cox Automotive Economic and Industry Insights team examines third-quarter U.S. auto market performance and the economic and consumer trends shaping the industry. Watch the complete update or select an individual chapter to hear directly from Cox Automotive experts. The…