Insights

Key Metrics Expert Perspective — Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist, Cox Automotive “As soon as this year began, prices at Manheim started moving higher as dealers anticipated strong demand from higher tax refunds to consumers. Sales conversion rates, a clear sign of demand, were higher against 2025 for every week but one in Q1, and vehicle value trends at auction …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on new-vehicle sales and pricing, the employment situation, retail sales, and consumer confidence. The conflict in the Middle East continues to cast a shadow over sentiment, but tax refunds continue to provide meaningful support to consumer purchasing power and automotive demand. Bottom Line Up Front …

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #5 In this Episode Soaring gas prices, ongoing geopolitical tension, and shifting rate expectations continue to collide with a key spring selling period for the auto market. From fuel price volatility and interest rate pressure to evolving consumer shopping behavior and industry cost complexities, this episode unpacks the dynamics …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on energy prices, benchmark interest rates and mortgages, consumer sentiment, and employment. The coming weeks will test whether tax refund dollars and continued credit availability can offset the headwinds building from energy prices and consumer uncertainty.  Bottom Line Up Front The Middle East conflict is the defining economic story of …

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #4 In this Episode Consumer sentiment is at risk as higher gas prices, global conflicts, and interest rate uncertainty intersect with an auto market entering the spring selling season.  From geopolitical risk and fuel costs to strengthening used EV performance and growing macro uncertainty, this episode breaks down the …

Cox Automotive provides forecasts on the new and used vehicle markets, leasing, fleet and CPO sales, and the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index. Updates (highlighted) to the full-year 2026 forecasts were announced during the Q1 Industry Insights and Forecast Call on Mar. 25. The Economic and Industry Insights team reviews the full-year forecasts quarterly and updates them as market …

A replay of the Cox Automotive Q1 2026 Industry Insights and Forecast Call held on Wednesday, Mar. 25, is available. The Cox Automotive Economic and Industry Insights team delivered their perspective on the health of the U.S. automotive industry, focusing on the new, used and electric vehicle markets. This call also allowed the team to share market expectations on the …

Updated, April 2, 2026: New-vehicle sales momentum improved in the final weeks of March, finishing stronger than Cox Automotive had forecasted. Early estimates suggest March new-vehicle sales will come in at approximately 1.4 million units, down nearly 12% year over year, a smaller decline than the roughly 14% drop outlined in the initial forecast. As a result, March’s seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) is now estimated at 16.3 million, …

The Cox Automotive Q1 2026 Industry Insights and Sales Forecast Call will be held today, March 24th, at 11 a.m. EDT. The presentation is available for download. The Economic and Industry Insights team will deliver a update on the U.S. automotive industry in Q1, focusing on the new, used and electric vehicle markets. This call …

This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on the Fed meeting, producer prices, vehicle affordability and the housing market.   The week brought a meaningful slate of economic releases against a backdrop of rising tension in the Middle East, which is already showing up in gas prices and consumer sentiment. Even so, Manheim data suggests …