DALLAS — Auto affordability remained on the downward slope during the third quarter, and playing a major role in this softening was sluggish income growth, according to Comerica Bank.

While income stagnancy is a "drag" on the typical post-recession bounce-back in sales, Comerica did spot some positive signs for dealers, including restored production, low interest rates and abundant pent-up demand.

Delving into the quarterly statistics, the company indicated that 24.2 weeks of median family income were needed to buy and finance an averaged-priced new car. In the second quarter, it took 24.0 weeks.

It required shoppers spending 2.6-percent more money — or an additional $650 — to buy a new car.

"Auto affordability fell in the third quarter of 2011, continuing a declining trend off the 2009 peak," stated Comerica chief economist Robert Dye. "A key issue in falling auto affordability is weak income growth, which we have seen through 2011.

"Tepid job gains and flat wages are keeping income growth in check, and this is a drag against a typical post-recession rebound in auto sales," he explained. "The good news for auto dealers is that production is back up after the supply-chain disruptions of earlier this year.

"Interest rates are low, and there is a lot of pent-up demand for new autos. New auto sales in October held on to the September gains," Dye continued. "Going forward we simply need to see more job creation to support ongoing improvement to auto sales."