Each of America’s six largest publicly traded dealer group say gross profit per new vehicle retailed declined on a year-over-year basis in the third quarter, some by double digits. +

TransUnion’s Q3 2025 Credit Industry Insights Report finds a growing disparity among U.S. car buyers seeking auto loans, who increasingly find themselves in the highest- and lowest-risk credit tiers. +

The Federal Reserve Board has reduced its target lending rate by one-quarter of a point for the second time this year, with a third cut planned for December, Chairman Jerome Powell announced. +

Fitch Ratings analysts say the escalating cost to purchase and maintain a vehicle has pushed defaults, repossessions and the rate of loans more than 60 days past due to historic levels. +

Wolters Kluwer’s Digital Transformation Index shows the adoption of digital workflows ticked down by 2.3% from the second quarter but improved by 4.3% year-over-year. +

Carleton’s Tim Yalich urges dealers and finance sources to face the “critical reality” of the complexity, challenges and profitability risk that underlies lease payment calculations. +

Kelley Blue Book reports the average transaction price for a U.S.-sold new vehicle exceeded $50,000 for the first time in September despite increased incentive spending. +

Fifth Third Bancorp will acquire Comerica Inc. in an all-stock transaction valued at $10.9 billion, creating the nation’s ninth-largest bank with approximately $288 billion in assets. +

Edmunds’s Q3 auto finance report shows the average down payment for a new vehicle fell to $6,020 while $1,000-plus monthly payments, loan terms and interest rates remain high. +

A new Carleton survey finds lending, banking, finance and fintech professionals are both optimistic and cautious toward new systems designed to improve speed, accuracy and compliance. +