The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #1

In this Episode

As the auto industry closes the book on 2025, interest rates ease, consumer signals stay mixed, and automakers reveal who gained ground, and who didn’t. Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating, joined by Interim Chief Economist Jeremy Robb, unpacks sales momentum, credit trends, CES 2026 takeaways, and what it all means for navigating a more uncertain 2026.

Key Takeaways

Where interest rates, APRs, and consumer credit ended 2025, and why it matters for buyers

New-vehicle sales, pricing, incentives, and fleet trends shaping the market

Job growth, wages, and consumer sentiment signals to watch

Automakers that finished strong, from Toyota and GM to Hyundai and Kia

CES 2026 highlights, including AI, software-defined vehicles, and emerging global competition

00:00 Intro

01:10 Job Market Insights & Consumer Spending

12:48 2025 Automaker Performance

18:26 Top Takeaways from CES 2026

22:59 Outro