Dealertrack’s Credit Availability Index increased to 98.3 last month, offering a counter to affordability concerns and continuing a trend toward loosening conditions that began more than a year ago. +

Every transaction involves numbers and every customer wants a good deal. Product Prep’s Gerry Gould has an answer for every question, objection or challenge a sales or F&I pro may encounter.

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. +

A new Carleton survey of 2,000 U.S. lending, bank, auto finance and fintech professionals finds the majority experience loan payment discrepancies on a weekly or monthly basis. +

Attorney Jim Ganther answers a dealer’s seemingly straightforward question: Is it legally permissible to pencil F&I products into payment quotes?

Extending time to first payment beyond the industry-standard 30 or 45 days is a win-win — for plaintiffs' attorneys. Mosaic Compliance Services chief Jim Ganther explains.

Ford has dropped its national “From America, For America” employee discount campaign in favor of a new incentive: zero percent financing for 48 months with zero down and zero due for 90 days. +

The latest quarterly report from Edmunds finds car buyers set new records for $1,000-plus monthly payments, 84-month terms and average amount financed, all on smaller down payments. +

Experian reports the average amount financed for a new vehicle purchase in Q1 was $41,720, with an average monthly payment of $745, up from $40,610 and $737 in the prior-year quarter. +

The Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index decreased by 1.6% in April after hitting a 45-month high in March. Analysts blame tariffs for rising prices and payments despite strong economic indicators. +