Market Insights and Outlook - Cox Automotive Inc.

Smoke on Cars Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke shares his insights on macroeconomic trends, business cycles, demand and the economic factors influencing the automotive industry today. See Insights ›

Commentary & Voices Our team of analysts and experts share their reactions, insights and unique perspectives on the behaviors, data and industry moves that are affecting the broader automotive business. See Insights ›

Data Point The automotive industry is a data-driven business. These are the data points that our team of experts and analysts find most interesting, offered with insights to explain why it matters and why you should know. See Insights ›

Economy & Trends Dynamic economic factors and market trends continually influence our industry, and Cox Automotive’s economists and analysts provide data analysis, forecasts and reports to enhance the understanding of how these factors affect the automotive marketplace. See Insights ›

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SUV Popularity Contributes to Overall Brand Sales 03/21/2019 In the last 10 years, most non-luxury brands have benefited from the explosive growth in SUVs. Brands such as Subaru and Kia have seen massive increases in their overall sales, while Dodge saw negative growth in car sales and comparatively modest SUV gains. SUV sales growth is up 16 percent in the last two years, with more than 6.5 million new SUVs sold in 2018 alone.… Read Article

Market Insights Data Point

Jonathan Smoke to Host Cox Automotive Q1 Auto Sales Call 03/21/2019 Join us for the Cox Automotive Q1 Auto Sales Call hosted by Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. Thursday, March 28, 11 a.m. EDT Click here to add to your calendar. Along with Smoke, Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Karl Brauer and Zo Rahim, manager of economics and industry insights for Cox Automotive, will present a comprehensive look at the auto market in Q1 2019, including their perspective… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Commentary & Voices

Some Auto Dealers Fret About New Age of Mobility, Others Join It 03/18/2019 Wards Auto, March 18, 2019 -- A sideline of Joe George’s job as president of Cox Automotive’s Mobility Solutions unit is to reassure some skittish people that vehicle subscription programs and other new-age mobility services won’t doom the auto industry as we know it. “Mobility is an explosive word” in today’s changing transportation world, says George. It’s not the only hot-button term. “‘Subscription’ has turned into a… Read Article

News Coverage

Auto Market Weekly Summary 03/18/2019 After a slow start to the year, many leading indicators are pointing to a stronger economy this spring. Real wage growth is now stronger than we have seen in two-and-a-half years, thanks to higher wages combined with subdued inflation. Consumer spending rebound: Consumers retreated from spending at the end of last year because of political and economic factors dimming their confidence. With improving sentiment, consumers are… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

Cox Automotive Industry Update Report: March 2019 03/15/2019 The March 2019 Cox Automotive Industry Update Report shares Cox Automotive’s multifaceted insight into the automotive marketplace to provide an overview of economic indicators, supply, demand, credit and other vital topics and trends affecting the industry. ECONOMIC INDICATORS The pace of new home sales improved in December after large downward revisions were made to October and November sales. New home sales in 2018 increased 1.5% while… Read Article

Market Insights Commentary & Voices Economy & Trends

This Week in Car Buying: Deals of the Month; Inventories Moderate; Tesla Reverses Course; Affordability Issues Loom 03/15/2019 Kelley Blue Book’s Senior Managing Editor Matt DeLorenzo writes This Week in Car Buying, a weekly column on KBB.com. In this week’s article, Matt discusses the deals and incentives that manufacturers are using to gear up for the spring selling season. The March 1 days’ supply figure of 78 reflects slightly softening demand more than production far outstripping demand. Tesla changed its mind after announcing that… Read Article

Market Insights Commentary & Voices

Tesla Unveils Model Y, Kelley Blue Book Analysts Comment 03/15/2019 Elon Musk unveiled a blue prototype of the long-awaited Model Y compact SUV yesterday. He provided some details about pricing, driving range and the targeted production launch date (Fall 2020). The “standard range” version of the sport utility vehicle will cost $39,000, go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and travel up to 230 miles between charges. Here’s how Kelley Blue Book analysts Karl… Read Article

Market Insights Commentary & Voices

Northwood University Recognizes Sandy Schwartz as 2019 Outstanding Business Leader 03/14/2019 ATLANTA, March 14, 2019 – Cox Automotive President Sandy Schwartz has been named a 2019 Outstanding Business Leader honoree by the Northwood University Board of Trustees. Conceived by Dr. Arthur E. Turner, co-founder of Northwood University, and established by the Northwood University Board of Trustees in 1981, the annual Outstanding Business Leader Awards program recognizes leaders in the American free-enterprise system. Selected based on personal achievement,… Read Article

Press Releases

2019 CPO Sales Off to Sluggish Start 03/13/2019 Sales of certified pre-owned sales are off to a slow start in 2019. Sales are down 1 percent year-to-date compared to the same time last year, according to Cox Automotive. Much of the weakness has been driven by a sluggish January where sales were down 2 percent. Even with the slow start, Cox Automotive is forecasting CPO sales to come in at roughly 2.75 million units… Read Article

Market Insights Data Point

Even with Tax Refunds Down, Data Point to Improving Used-Car Market 03/12/2019 Last fall the Cox Automotive Industry Insights team and I started warning about potential surprises lurking in tax refund season due to rushed changes to withholding tables made in the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In January, we published our view and the insights behind our concern. Our conclusion in aggregate was that total refunds and average refunds would likely be lower. However,… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends