If your shop is struggling with originating quality paper or keeping customers current, perhaps here’s some good news.

The opinions of business leaders including company chief executive officers, directors, chairmen and presidents highlighted in White Clarke Group’s new U.S. Auto & Equipment Finance Survey 2017 paint a detailed picture of a developing and dynamic market.

This research project shared recent industry statistics from local trade associations as well as featuring views and predictions from 20 well-known industry leaders, including some who have made appearances at Used Car Week.

White Clark Group’s survey revealed that the arrival in the White House of arguably the most business-friendly administration in history has sent business and consumer confidence soaring, but the impact of pre-election promises in terms of regulatory reform, fiscal changes and federal spending has yet to be fully felt.

“Businesses are looking to President Trump to deliver the enhanced economic growth that was a core promise of his election campaign, but there is an element of uncertainty about how the market will develop in the long-term,” White Clarke Group said.

In the new-vehicle market, while report authors acknowledge new-models sales are set to falter slightly this year, there is still a strong appetite for new cars and light trucks, funded through cheap finance options and low interest rates.

The National Automobile Dealers Association is forecasting total sales of 17.1 million new cars and light trucks in 2017, and although this will represent a fall in demand, it is still expected to be one of the highest performances on record.

Ongoing demand is being funded predominantly through finance, with Experian reporting the average installment contract amount for a new vehicle reaching a record high last year of $30,621; while used vehicles also achieved new peaks at $19,329 per vehicle.

The rise has caused concern in some areas about the level of debt being taken on by consumers, with the auto loan market now accounting for more than $1.1 trillion.

Although there are fears about vehicle oversupply and its impact on used asset values, the indications are that the market remains robust, according to the report.

At the same time, White Clarke Group mentioned the re-emergence of small and regional banks looking to expand services to existing manufacturers, dealers and retailers is continuing to spur growth in the dealer floorplan finance market.

Featured opinions and predictions included in the survey report came from:

• Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

• Melinda Zabritski, automotive finance senior director, Experian

• Lou Loquasto, VP automotive leader, Equifax

• Bill Stephenson, CEO, De Lage Landen

• Dave Mirsky, CEO, Pacific Rim Capital

• Matthias Müller, CEO, Volkswagen Group

• Tracey Zhen, president, Zipcar

• Ralph Petta, president and CEO, ELFA

• Tom Partridge, president, Fifth Third Equipment Finance

• Gary Amos, CEO Commercial Finance – Americas, Siemens Financial Services

• Alan Sikora, CEO, First American Equipment Finance

• Adam Warner, president, Key Equipment Finance

• David Slider, group EVP, White Clarke Group

• Stephen Whelan, partner, Blank Rome

• Bill Bosco, principal, Leasing 101

• Kurt Ruhlin, chief operating officer, White Clarke Group

In the equipment leasing segment, there is a confident atmosphere, as new business volumes increase to reflect stronger economic activity.

Figures from the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) show an acceleration in new business volumes during the first half of 2017.

ELFA president and chief executive officer Ralph Petta said, “Business owners are taking advantage of low interest rates, favorable employment data, an equity market that continues to defy gravity and other solid fundamentals to replace aging assets and, in some cases, expand operations, requiring installation of new equipment.”

The exclusive report can be downloaded here. White Clarke Group also offered a video recap of the report that can be seen here or through the window at the top of this page.