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.
All Smoke on Cars Commentary & Voices Data Point Economy & Trends CAMIO
Smoke On Cars
3 min read
Auto Market Weekly Summary 03/10/2025 Key Highlights The employment report for February included mixed trends but generally reflected stable conditions. New light-vehicle sales were down 0.7% year over year in February with one fewer selling day. The used-vehicle market saw gains in February, but wholesale used prices declined on a seasonally adjusted basis. Employment Trends Job growth accelerated in February and came in close to expectations, but the unemployment rate increased,… Read Article
Auto Market Weekly Summary Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
5 min read
Cox Automotive Auto Market Report: March 4 03/04/2025 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 indicators from Cox Automotive’s extensive data ecosystem. Download this week’s presentation Read Article
Auto Market Report Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
4 min read
Auto Market Weekly Summary 03/03/2025 Key Highlights The second fourth-quarter estimate kept real GDP growth at 2.3%, a deceleration from the 3.1% rate in the prior quarter. January saw a decline in consumer spending, which was below expectations, and spending on motor vehicles and parts fell 5.2%. Consumer confidence declined in February, with plans to purchase a vehicle declining to the lowest level since last February, when they were slightly lower.… Read Article
Auto Market Weekly Summary Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
3 min read
Auto Market Weekly Summary 02/24/2025 Key Highlights New-vehicle sales are expected to rebound in February, with a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.3 million, up from last year’s 15.7 million. Residential construction trends were mixed in January, with steady permits but a decline in starts due to winter weather disruptions. Consumer sentiment deteriorated further in February, with significant declines in views of current conditions and future expectations. New-Vehicle Sales Forecast… Read Article
Auto Market Weekly Summary Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
5 min read
Cox Automotive Auto Market Report: Feb. 18 02/18/2025 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 indicators from Cox Automotive’s extensive data ecosystem. Download this week’s presentation… Read Article
Auto Market Report Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
2 min read
Auto Market Weekly Summary 02/17/2025 Key Highlights Inflation accelerated in January, with vehicle prices, parts, and insurance contributing strongly to the gains. Retail sales experienced a notable decline in January, with the auto sector underperforming the broader market. Consumer credit excluding mortgages saw a record increase in December, while auto loan performance showed mixed results. Inflation Trends Inflation accelerated in January, with vehicle prices, parts, and insurance contributing strongly to the… Read Article
Auto Market Weekly Summary Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
2 min read
Auto Market Weekly Summary 02/10/2025 Key Highlights The labor market is stable and strong at what is considered full employment. The new vehicle SAAR declined in January, but sales remained higher year over year. The used market saw gains in January, and wholesale used prices increased. Employment Trends The unemployment rate declined, and wage growth accelerated. The labor market is stable and strong at what is considered full employment. Job growth… Read Article
Auto Market Weekly Summary Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
5 min read
Cox Automotive Auto Market Report: Feb. 4 02/04/2025 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 indicators from Cox Automotive’s extensive data ecosystem. Download this week’s presentation… Read Article
Auto Market Report Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
3 min read
Auto Market Weekly Summary 02/03/2025 Key Highlights The first estimate of fourth-quarter real GDP showed a slowing pace of growth at 2.3% from the 3.1% rate in the prior quarter, but underneath the total, consumer spending accelerated as spending on goods and services both increased. Consumer spending in December was strong and grew from a strong and upwardly revised November. Personal income growth remained healthy but didn’t grow like spending, so… Read Article
Auto Market Weekly Summary Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends
3 min read
No Change in Rate Policy as Fed Waits for Evidence of Shifts 01/30/2025 The Fed left monetary policy unchanged at the conclusion of their first meeting of 2025. This followed three consecutive meetings in the fall of last year in which they reduced the Fed Funds Rate by a full percentage point. The Fed meeting this week offered few new facts or insights about their perspectives. The latest forecasts provided were in December, when their outlook for additional rate… Read Article
Market Insights Smoke on Cars Commentary & Voices Economy & Trends

Sign up here to receive bi-weekly updates on news and trends dominating the automotive industry.

  • @CoxAutomotive

    • Follow us on Twitter

    For more info or news from other Cox Automotive brands, visit the following sites: