Ep. 15: Consumers Pull Back, Wage Growth Trails Inflation, and Automakers Adapt

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #15

In this Episode

Key Takeaways

Consumer spending is showing signs of slowing:
Recent spending data has softened, with retail sales coming in below expectations and consumer spending growth turning negative year over year, raising new questions about the strength of consumer demand.

Purchasing power remains under pressure:
Wage growth has remained below inflation for four consecutive months, reducing purchasing power and creating additional challenges for consumers already facing elevated borrowing costs and affordability concerns.

Automakers rethink product, production, and growth strategies:
Automakers continue to adjust their product, manufacturing, and sourcing strategies as tariffs, trade policy discussions, and supply chain considerations play an increasingly important role in long-term planning.

The conversation also covers inventory trends, used-vehicle values, trade policy developments, manufacturing decisions, and how brands are rethinking growth opportunities in an increasingly dynamic market.