Insights

ATLANTA, April 21, 2026 — This Earth Day, Cox Automotive is highlighting five ways sustainability shows up across the vehicle journey, from reusing water at its wholesale automotive operating locations and generating solar power, to recycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries and cutting dealership paper waste. For Cox Automotive, this isn’t about one day on the …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on credit availability, auto loan performance, and producer prices. Additional March data arrived in the past week, as the spring selling season continued to deliver, credit availability improved further and wholesale values were holding firm. At the same time, the energy shock from the Middle …

According to Cox Automotive’s analysis of vAuto Live Market View data, March used-vehicle inventory levels declined for the third straight month and were lower year over year, falling to the lowest level since at least 2019, when the current vAuto data sets begin. Backed by healthy tax refunds and continued affordability challenges in the new-vehicle …

Key Metrics Expert Perspective — Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist, Cox Automotive “The spring bounce can shift from year to year depending on where dealers’ inventory levels are at the start of the year and the strength of tax refund season. We started 2026 off hot in the wholesale market, with our MMR retention index increasing every single week during Q1 and ending the quarter much stronger than normal. As we enter April, wholesale prices are still rising but at much more normal levels relative to long term averages.  Seasonal …

The U.S. new‑vehicle market entered April with a cleaner inventory position, thanks mostly to an improved sales pace in March helping lower elevated days’ supply. Total industry inventory stood at 2.89 million units in March, up from 2.85 million units in February, representing a month‑over‑month increase of 1.3%. 2.89M Total Inventoryas of Mar. 2026 79 …

Electric-vehicle sales in March rebounded notably from February, across both new and used models. The influence of high gas prices can’t be ignored in the numbers, but the year-over-year story provides better perspective. As expected, the used EV market continues to expand in a very positive way; the new EV market, however, continues to be …

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #6 In this Episode New inflation readings, geopolitical uncertainty, and lingering tariff pressure continue to cloud the economic outlook, but the auto market is proving more resilient than the headlines suggest. From inflation reading timing and consumer income dynamics to tightening used supply and disciplined OEM strategies, this episode …

New-vehicle affordability improved in March for the fifth straight month, according to the Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index, driven largely by strong income growth, steady prices and interest rates, and increased incentives, all of which boosted buyers’ purchasing power. The average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle in March was mostly flat month …

The rules of automotive retail have been rewritten. Consumer expectations have shifted faster than most of the industry has been able to respond, and Cox Automotive has been at the forefront of that shift — building the tools, experiences, and data infrastructure that help dealers not just keep up, but stay ahead.  Cox Automotive has appointed Jeff …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on new-vehicle sales and pricing, inflation, consumer credit, personal income and spending, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). March data arrived with a split personality for the auto industry, with a healthy spring selling season colliding with the energy shock from the Middle East conflict and …