Edmunds analysts say the average negative equity balance on dealership trade-ins rose to $7,214 in the fourth quarter, reflecting pandemic-era originations and prolonging a four-year trend. +

The latest report from Kerrigan Advisors shows the number of dealership buy-sells could exceed 2024’s record of 438 by year’s end as strong sales and earnings propel consolidation. +

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. +

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. +

NADA analysts say waning demand and affordability issues are depressing sales team earnings, Nevada leads the nation in average payroll and bigger dealers continue to gain market share. +

Edmunds reports the average amount owed on upside-down car loans reached a new record of $6,905 in the third quarter as more new car buyers traded in vehicles burdened by negative equity. +

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. +

Kerrigan Advisors’ Blue Sky Report for the second quarter shows merger and acquisition activity in the dealership sector improved on a year-over-year basis in the first half of 2025. +

Presidio-NCM reports U.S. franchised dealers enjoyed a 3.7% year-over-year increase in net pretax profit in the first quarter following three straight years of post-pandemic losses. +

StoneEagleDATA reports U.S. dealers made an average of $242,283 in total F&I income in the first quarter, an all-time record exceeding the post-COVID boom of 2021, despite generating fewer deals per rooftop. +