Insights

September marked a third consecutive strong month for the electric vehicle (EV) market, helping push Q3 sales to a record high. As buyers rushed to take advantage of the final days of the federal EV tax credit, demand remained elevated, inventory tightened sharply, and incentives continued to shape sales across both new and used segments. …

New-vehicle inventory increased in September as the sales pace slowed in the final two weeks of the month. Days’ supply increased as well. The volume of model-year-2026 vehicles continues to grow, pushing the average listing price higher as expected. At the start of October, roughly 41% of available new vehicles were MY2026 units, up from …

New-vehicle affordability in September hit its lowest level since December 2024, according to the latest Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index. “Higher incentives and income growth weren’t enough to offset September’s new-vehicle price increase,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “Even though incentive spending was at its highest level this year, the average transaction …

Cox Automotive’s Auto Market Report video delivers a comprehensive analysis of the current automotive market. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. This video covers a wide range of topics, including consumer spending patterns, consumer sentiment, retail vehicle sales, financing rates, supply dynamics, pricing trends and leading …

In September, the average transaction price (ATP) of a new vehicle in the U.S. was above $50,000 for the first time, according to new estimates released today by Kelley Blue Book. New-vehicle prices have risen steadily for more than a year, with the pace of the increases accelerating in recent months. Despite higher prices, retail …

Key Highlights We are now more than a week into the government shutdown, but last week we had plenty of non-government data to give us a read on the auto market with initial details on new-vehicle prices in September, used-vehicle sales and prices in September, consumer credit in August, and auto credit access and auto …

In September 2025, the Dealertrack Credit Availability Index resumed its upward trend of improved credit access after a slight tightening in the previous month. The All-Loans Index edged up to 98.1 in September from 97.9 in August, marking a 0.2-point increase. This resumes the broader run of loosening credit conditions that began in late summer …

As expected, electric vehicle (EV) sales volume in the U.S. hit an all-time high in Q3 2025: 438,487 units sold, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. EV sales volume in Q3 was up 40.7% from the previous quarter and higher by 29.6% year over year. The Q3 record beat the prior peak set in Q4 2024 …

A replay of the Q3 2025 Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index Call held on Tuesday, Oct. 7, is available. Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke, Deputy Chief Economist Jeremy Robb, Jonathan Gregory, senior manager, Economic and Industry Insights, and Scott Vanner, manager, Economic and Industry Insights, presented the latest Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, the major economic and …

ATLANTA, Oct. 7, 2025 – Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted basis) were down slightly in September compared to August. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) declined to 207.0, lower by 0.2% versus August levels but showing an increase of 2% from a year ago. The seasonal adjustment caused the …