Ep. 19: Fuel Economy in Focus: From Resale Values to Regulations

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #19

In this Episode

Key Takeaways

A Stronger Economy, Higher Rates:
Jeremy breaks down the latest GDP revisions, which point to a more resilient U.S. economy than many expected. The conversation also examines rising bond yields, increasing auto loan rates, and how financing costs continue to influence vehicle affordability and purchase decisions.

Fuel Economy’s Growing Influence on Vehicle Values:
The latest Manheim auction data reveals a clear relationship between fuel economy and depreciation. As fuel efficiency increases, vehicles are retaining value more effectively, with some of the highest-MPG segments showing appreciation. The discussion also highlights continued strength in used EV values despite increasing off-lease supply and ongoing inventory growth.

From Regulations to Product Strategy:
Erin reviews NHTSA’s finalized CAFE standards, developments in commercial fleet electrification and autonomous trucking, and the growing role efficiency plays in automaker decision-making. The episode concludes with insights on Hyundai Motor Group’s competitive momentum.

The episode also covers compact vehicle performance, consumer adaptation in an affordability-constrained market, Tesla Semi fleet adoption, FedEx’s commercial EV investment, and battery-retrofit solutions for trucking fleets.