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Experian Automotive’s second-quarter data pegged the average monthly payment for a new vehicle at $550. That’s $25 higher than a year ago. That climb figured in part to new AAA research showing that average annual cost of vehicle ownership jumped 24% to $9,282, or $773.50 a month. That’s the highest cost associated with new vehicle […] [Read More]

When vehicle owners opt for branded audio systems, the cost is worth the value it brings to those owners and the manufacturers. That is according to Brent Gruber, who is the senior director of the automotive quality practice at J.D. Power. “Specifically, when consumers are happy with their branded audio system experience, it ultimately moves the […] [Read More]

Kroll Bond Rating Agency spotted typical season deterioration when analysts compiled their observations of the August auto loan indices based on performances in the auto asset backed securities (ABS) market. Analysts said in their report released this week that collateral performance in KBRA’s Non-Prime Auto Loan Index continued to “underperform.” For August, KBRA determined annualized […] [Read More]

There appeared to be a bit of a dichotomy in the wholesale vehicle market last month. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index reached a record high (141.3) and was up 1.2% year-over-year. Mix-, mileage- and seasonally adjusted, there was a 0.62% bump up in wholesale prices from July. But the comparison to last August is […] [Read More]

As a new study from IBM describes it, you’re heading to work in your new vehicle. The vehicle wishes you a happy birthday and shows social media greetings from family and friends. The vehicle starts driving you to your destination while also checking your health vitals, checking your house to see if you left any […] [Read More]

It’s no longer just a hunch emanating from dealerships and finance companies that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state attorneys general are working together. The CFPB made an official announcement to the fact on Tuesday. The bureau, working in partnership with multiple state regulators, launched the American Consumer Financial Innovation Network (ACFIN). It’s an […] [Read More]

If your store can turn luxury cars quickly, your opportunity for decent gross might be at hand stemming from how wholesale prices for those high-line units are moving. The newest Black Book Market Insights report showed wholesale prices for luxury cars again softened at a much higher rate than the overall car reading. “Luxury-segment declines […] [Read More]

The average new-car buyer holds on to his or her car for 8.4 years, according to a new study by car search engine iSeeCars.com. But for many other types of cars, such as sports cars, their owners are more likely to keep them longer, said iSeeCars chief executive officer Phong Ly. “Sports cars typically aren’t […] [Read More]

You might need sharp eyes to notice, but Experian spotted an extremely slight decline in the volume of new-vehicle leasing booked during the second quarter. Analysts also pinpointed the top 10 models generating the most leasing volume in Q2. And two of the vehicles can be seen pretty easily in a driveway or parking lot. […] [Read More]

Experian’s latest quarterly data report again mentioned how consumer affordability is impacting auto-finance metrics. And consumer affordability also impacted Black Book’s Used Vehicle Retention Index for August. This week, analysts released their latest index reading, which showed that August posted a 1.4% lift on a sequential basis. The index came in at 116.6, up from […] [Read More]