U.S. auto dealers sold 697 franchises in an all-time record of 438 transactions last year, according to Kerrigan Advisors’ year-end Blue Sky Report, a 10% increase from 2023. +

TransUnion’s latest credit insights report forecasts gains in auto, home and unsecured personal loan originations tempered by concerns over changing federal policy and paused interest rate cuts. +

Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics’ New Vehicle Affordability Index improved to 37.7 in January as Americans earned higher incomes and prices normalized following strong year-end sales. +

Kelley Blue Book analysts say Americans spent an average of $49,740 on their new vehicle purchases in December, threatening a record set during peak pandemic-era inventory shortages. +

The latest new-vehicle sales and finance reports from Cox Automotive show strong sales and credit availability as incentives offset higher prices to sustain affordability. +

The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts in addition to an increase in automakers’ incentives are helping to stabilize the auto market, a good sign for dealers and consumers. WardsAuto's Nancy Dunham reports.+

Declining interest rates, increased incentives and personal income gains have led to the best new-vehicle affordability level since August 2021. +