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Auto Dealer Sentiment Drops as COVID-19 and the Economy Severely Impact Business; Franchised Auto Dealers Hold Onto Optimism for the Summer 06/08/2020 ATLANTA, June 8, 2020 – According to the Q2 2020 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) released today, U.S. automobile dealers’ view of the current automotive market remains negative and is understandably far more negative than in the first quarter. With an index score of 20, the rating presents a clear picture of the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the auto industry, and the decrease from Q1’s index… Read Article

CADSI Press Releases

Cox Automotive’s Statement on COVID-19 – Summary of Activities 05/01/2020 A Note from Cox Automotive CEO Sandy Schwartz Regarding COVID-19 Let’s just say this about COVID-19: We’re all in it together. Our job is to help make the automotive industry as good as it can be, and that has never been more apparent or more important than right now. Like so many others, Cox Automotive is looking for every opportunity to keep our people healthy, to… Read Article

Press Releases

Brand Experience Centers, At-Home Maintenance, Service Pick-up and Drop-off: These are the Modern Automotive Dreams, New Research Shows 01/22/2020 ATLANTA, Jan. 22, 2020 – It’s no secret the current car-buying experience has room for improvement and that few owners are looking forward to the next 3-hour wait while their vehicle is serviced. But what does an ideal automotive consumer experience actually look like? A new report from Cox Automotive released today provides a road map. Reimagining the Automotive Consumer Experience is a comprehensive look at… Read Article

Press Releases

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vAuto’s Brian Finkelmeyer Discusses New Car Market Insights and Inventory Strategies 07/01/2020 CBT News, July 1, 2020 -- Dealers are facing a unique situation in many markets, where consumer demand is actually higher than supply according to Cox Automotive's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Wards Automotive data. In fact, in this past May, non-fleet sales increased 63 percent after bottoming out in April. Brian Finkelmeyer, senior director of new car solutions at vAuto, joins Jim Fitzpatrick to break… Read Article

News Coverage

Cox Automotive Commentary: First-Half 2020 U.S. Auto Sales 07/01/2020 The U.S. auto industry is closing the books on the first half of 2020 today, and many in the industry are likely saying, "Good riddance." It was a tough half for auto sales – to say the least. The Cox Automotive Industry Insights team has been tracking the industry's progress throughout the ups-and-down of 2020 – remember, sales were up in January – and is sharing the following content and commentary for… Read Article

Market Insights Commentary & Voices

Week #15 Special Edition: Economic Impact on Auto Sales with Jonathan Smoke 06/30/2020 Our Chief Economist, Jonathan Smoke, joins us once again from his home studio in Atlanta, GA, with the latest on the impacts of COVID-19 on the automotive industry. The latest on COVID-19’s nationwide impactContinuing jobless claims and impacts by stateConsumer sentiment in the U.S. and in the largest DMAsCox Automotive consumer survey results on shopping and service0% APR offersNew- and used-vehicle inventoryWholesale and retail prices and… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars

Aggressive Incentive Spending Helps First Half Auto Sales 06/29/2020 The Industry Insights team at Cox Automotive is forecasting first-half auto sales to be down 24.2% versus the first half of 2019 – a bad result that might have been worse without aggressive incentive spending by the automakers. In total, incentive program volume was down in the first half of 2020 compared to both 2018 and 2019. Incentive spending by the automakers increased, however, as automakers pushed heavy incentives to… Read Article

Market Insights Data Point

Margin for Error Just Got Smaller in New-Car Operations 06/29/2020 WardsAuto, June 29, 2020 – The U.S. consumer and economy are returning to some semblance of normalcy, but the new-car business is likely to be anything but normal for the foreseeable future. Dealers are facing a rare situation in many markets: Consumer demand is higher than supply. Online shopping metrics are off the charts across various Cox Automotive properties, such as Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, as… Read Article

News Coverage

Auto Market Weekly Summary 06/29/2020 We are once again setting records in daily new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. Outbreaks in Sun Belt states from California to Florida and up to North Carolina are causing concern. Impacted cities and states are contemplating new stay-at-home orders to contain. We are seeing slowing momentum in the auto market in the back half of June, which may be a combination of the virus… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

Cox Automotive Forecast: Auto Sales to Drop 24.2% in First Half of 2020 06/26/2020 ATLANTA, June 26, 2020 – The COVID virus and the resulting economic recession continue to negatively impact the auto industry, but June is expected to be another small step “back to normal.” According to a forecast released today by Cox Automotive, the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of auto sales in June will finish at 12.6 million, down significantly from last year’s 17.2 million pace, but up from… Read Article

Press Releases

2020 Mid-Year Review Replay Available 06/26/2020 At the 2020 Mid-Year review held on June 25, the Cox Automotive Industry Insights team presented their view of the first half of the year. This 90-minute webinar was kicked off by Cox Automotive President and CEO Sandy Schwartz who provided an industry overview and highlight The Way Forward, a collection of new and updated strategies to help the auto industry thrive post-pandemic. Led by Chief Economist Jonathan… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Commentary & Voices

Week #14 Special Edition: Economic Impact on Auto Sales with Jonathan Smoke 06/23/2020 Our Chief Economist, Jonathan Smoke, joins us once again from his home studio in Atlanta, GA, with the latest on the impacts of COVID-19 on the automotive industry. The latest on COVID-19’s nationwide impactContinuing jobless claims and impacts by stateConsumer sentiment in the U.S. and in the largest DMAsCox Automotive consumer survey results on shopping and service0% APR offersNew- and used-vehicle inventoryWholesale and retail prices and… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars

Ford F-150: An Illustration of Leadership 06/23/2020 On Thursday, June 25, Ford Motor Company will reveal an all-new version of perhaps the most important vehicle in the world: The full-size F-150 pickup truck. A new F-150 from Ford is a moment, as the Blue Oval’s big truck has long been what Michelangelo’s David is to statues or Pat’s is to Philly cheesesteaks: the genre’s best example. It is a six-time Kelley Blue Book… Read Article

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