Middle-Income Americans Could Rev up Auto Demand
Demand for vehicles is on the rise among middle-income Americans, according to a new “Path to Prosperity” report from Santander US. Despite rising costs, 47% are considering purchasing a vehicle in the next year.
Used-Auto Prices Fall In March, Despite Demand
Wholesale used-vehicle prices were lower in March compared to February. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) dropped to 202.6 in March, a 0.2% year-over-year decrease. This is also lower than February’s level, CBT News reports.
Auto Dealer Ad Spending Rises, But Tariffs Could Stall Progress
New tariffs may be throwing the car buying marketing into a period of uncertainty, which could require more dealer advertising to help shoppers sort things out.
Auto Dealers Swamped in March Tariff Stampede
The looming April 3 import tariffs triggered a rush of U.S. car buyers in March, delivering double-digit sales gains for several major brands as consumers moved quickly to beat potential price hikes.
It’s Official: Trump Orders Tariffs
President Donald Trump has ordered a 25% tariff on all vehicles built outside the U.S., starting April 3, according to a March 26 executive order reported by Automotive News.
Hyundai’s New U.S. Investments Supported by Biden’s Carrots, Trump’s Sticks
Hyundai Motor is investing $21 billion to expand U.S. manufacturing. The company will also spend $9 billion to expand production of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles in the U.S.
Wards Auto: Winning Customers with Targeted Ads
Broadcast TV remains valuable, particularly through local news programming. According to Locality’s Local Lift report, 43% of viewers view brands advertised during local news more favorably. This trust and credibility make broadcast an essential component of a dealership’s localized advertising approach.
Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi End Their Merger Talks
Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida said the talks had changed focus from setting up a joint holding company to making Nissan into a subsidiary of Honda.
EV Sales Growth Will Stagnate in 2025, J.D. Power Says
Electric vehicles will retain the same share of U.S. retail sales as last year, the result of tariff and incentive uncertainty, according to projections by J.D. Power, and reported by Automotive News.
Nissan Launches Plan to Revive U.S. Market Share
Facing declining U.S. retail sales, Nissan is launching a wide-ranging dealer incentive program to stimulate demand. The Q4 Acceleration Bonus Program offers dealerships up to $1,000 per vehicle on 2025 and select 2024 models if they hit their February and March sales targets, aligning with the end of Nissan’s fiscal year.
January Auto Sales Update
Honda Motor Co. reported sales rose 3.8 percent in January, with a 12 percent gain in light trucks offsetting a similar drop in car deliveries. Sales rose for the 30th consecutive month at Subaru, with more gains for the brand’s bestsellers, the Crosstrek and Forester.
Kia, Hyundai Score Record January
Hyundai and Kia posted double-digit U.S. sale gains, setting records for January, says Autonews.com. Kia sales rose 12 percent to 57,007 last month over January 2024, while Hyundai reported 54,503 sales, up 15 percent.
u.s. Auto Industry Is in the Tariff Crosshairs
If you add up all the tariffs that are going to apply to U.S.-made vehicles, they could easily end up dwarfing total tariffs on finished cars imported from Europe, Japan, or Korea.
Far from boosting the U.S. auto industry, these tariffs, if they stay in place for any length of time, could end up decimating it.
EVs, Hybrids Gained Market Share in ’24
Sales of all-electric vehicles and hybrid models reached 20% of new car and truck sales in the U.S. for the first time last year — marking a landmark year for “green” vehicles but coming at a slower pace than many had previously anticipated.
NADA: U.S. Auto Sales Finish 2024 With a Flourish
New light-vehicle sales finished the year strong in December, leading to a full-year sales total of 15.85 million units — an increase of 2.2% vs. 2023, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Cox Automotive: Market Growth Ahead
“Cox Automotive is optimistic about 2025, with plenty of reasons to believe it will be the best year since 2019,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “The market is gaining momentum, economic fundamentals are improving, and consumer sentiment is pointing in the right direction. We are ready for what 2025 might bring.”
Year-End EV Report; Sales Are Up
EV sales in the U.S. grew 25% year- over-year, contributing significantly to a global surge, according to data from Rho Motion.
Nissan And Honda To Attempt A Merger That Would Create World’s No. 3 Automaker
Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels.
2025 Set to Rev Up Auto Sales: Will EVs Rebound?
The U.S. auto market could see a significant rebound in 2025, with industry experts forecasting the strongest sales since 2019.
Wards Auto: Retail Automotive Market Steadying
A new TransUnion report suggests dealers may see a brighter holiday season and new year than expected. As some manufacturers increase incentives to drive sales, TransUnion data indicates that consumers’ monthly car payments stabilized in Q3. Although affordability remains challenging, new-car payments rose modestly by 0.3% to $745, while used-car payments dropped from $534 to $526 year-over-year.