Insights

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #5 In this Episode Soaring gas prices, ongoing geopolitical tension, and shifting rate expectations continue to collide with a key spring selling period for the auto market. From fuel price volatility and interest rate pressure to evolving consumer shopping behavior and industry cost complexities, this episode unpacks the dynamics

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on energy prices, benchmark interest rates and mortgages, consumer sentiment, and employment. The coming weeks will test whether tax refund dollars and continued credit availability can offset the headwinds building from energy prices and consumer uncertainty.  Bottom Line Up Front The Middle East conflict is the defining economic story of

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #4 In this Episode Consumer sentiment is at risk as higher gas prices, global conflicts, and interest rate uncertainty intersect with an auto market entering the spring selling season.  From geopolitical risk and fuel costs to strengthening used EV performance and growing macro uncertainty, this episode breaks down the

Cox Automotive provides forecasts on the new and used vehicle markets, leasing, fleet and CPO sales, and the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index. Updates (highlighted) to the full-year 2026 forecasts were announced during the Q1 Industry Insights and Forecast Call on Mar. 25. The Economic and Industry Insights team reviews the full-year forecasts quarterly and updates them as market

A replay of the Cox Automotive Q1 2026 Industry Insights and Forecast Call held on Wednesday, Mar. 25, is available. The Cox Automotive Economic and Industry Insights team delivered their perspective on the health of the U.S. automotive industry, focusing on the new, used and electric vehicle markets. This call also allowed the team to share market expectations on the

Updated, April 2, 2026: New-vehicle sales momentum improved in the final weeks of March, finishing stronger than Cox Automotive had forecasted. Early estimates suggest March new-vehicle sales will come in at approximately 1.4 million units, down nearly 12% year over year, a smaller decline than the roughly 14% drop outlined in the initial forecast. As a result, March’s seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) is now estimated at 16.3 million,