Gas Prices Are Falling. But Are Car Buyers Really Getting Relief?

Gas Prices Are Falling. But Are Car Buyers Really Getting Relief?

Gas prices are finally coming down, but how much does that actually improve the total cost of buying and owning a vehicle? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, Erin Keating and Jeremy Robb break down the latest economic signals shaping the market, from declining fuel costs and improving sentiment to the ongoing pressures tied to inflation, interest rates, and vehicle pricing. How much lower gas prices really help: Gas prices have fallen below $4 per gallon, providing some relief for consumers, but fuel is only one part of the overall cost equation. Why vehicle affordability remains under pressure: Even as fuel costs ease, elevated interest rates and higher vehicle prices continue to impact monthly payments and purchasing decisions. What the latest data says about market performance: New vehicle sales are holding stronger than expected, while used vehicle prices remain elevated, highlighting the ongoing tension between demand and affordability. The episode also explores key industry developments, including regulatory focus on pricing transparency, continued investment in autonomous technologies, and signals from subprime lending markets. The Auto Market Brief delivers timely data, clear context, and practical insight to help industry leaders make smarter decisions—what’s happening now, and what’s coming next. The Auto Market Brief is powered by Cox Automotive. For more industry insights and expert perspectives, visit our Insights Hub at https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights [https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights].

Rethinking Mobility and the Future of Transportation

How should we really think about mobility, and what does it mean for the future of transportation, ownership, and the automotive industry? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, Erin Keating sits down with Joe George, President of Cox Automotive Mobility Solutions, for a conversation that explores the impacts of changes to mobility, from how goods move across the economy to how affordability, access, and technology are reshaping transportation overall: Why mobility is bigger than vehicle ownership: Joe shares a perspective shaped by decades in the industry, emphasizing that transportation is not just about vehicles, but about how both people and products move across the economy, and who ultimately pays for those miles. How affordability is changing transportation behavior: As costs rise, both consumers and companies are making decisions based on total cost, shifting how vehicles are used, owned, and integrated into everyday life. What technology enables, but doesn’t define: From autonomy to electrification, the conversation explores how technology is accelerating change, while reinforcing that the real question is how these innovations solve practical use cases and improve outcomes. The discussion also touches on fleet-driven economics, evolving business models, and what leaders should keep in mind as mobility continues to evolve across the industry. The Auto Market Brief delivers timely data, clear context, and practical insight to help industry leaders make smarter decisions—what’s happening now, and what’s coming next. The Auto Market Brief is powered by Cox Automotive. For more industry insights and expert perspectives, visit our Insights Hub at https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights [https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights].

May Sales, Hybrid Momentum, and Strained Affordability

What do newly-released May sales numbers, rising hybrid demand, and shifting consumer behavior reveal about today’s auto market? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, Host and Executive Analyst Erin Keating is joined by Jeremy Robb, Cox Automotive’s Chief Economist, to break down May sales performance, evolving demand, and the latest data shaping how the market is responding to ongoing economic pressure: What May sales reveal about market resilience:  New vehicle sales improved in May, with stronger performance emerging later in the month and signaling continued stability across the market. Why hybrid momentum continues to build:  Automakers offering strong hybrid portfolios are seeing gains as consumers increasingly prioritize fuel efficiency and overall value. How affordability pressure is reshaping demand:  Rising fuel costs and elevated inflation are shifting consumer spending patterns, with increased interest in lower-priced and older vehicles pointing to continued trade-down behavior. The episode also explores evolving industry dynamics, including tariff uncertainty, supply chain risk tied to supplier disruption, and how automakers are adjusting EV strategies in response to changing demand. The Auto Market Brief delivers timely data, clear context, and practical insight to help industry leaders make smarter decisions—what’s happening now, and what’s coming next. The Auto Market Brief is powered by Cox Automotive. For more industry insights and expert perspectives, visit our Insights Hub at https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights [https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights].

Reading the Signals: Sales Momentum, Rates, and What Comes Next

What are today’s economic signals really telling us about where the auto market is headed next? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating is joined by Chief Economist, Jeremy Robb, to break down the latest data shaping the market, from interest rate volatility and inflation trends to consumer spending behavior and recent shifts in vehicle sales performance: What rising rates and inflation mean for affordability: Treasury yields have reached levels not seen in years, driving continued pressure on borrowing costs and influencing how lenders price auto loans across the market. How consumer spending is holding up, and where it’s shifting: Overall spending remains positive, but rising fuel costs are taking up a larger share of consumer budgets, raising questions about how long that resilience can continue. Where sales momentum is coming from today: New vehicle sales are showing strength, supported by growing demand for hybrids, while used vehicle values and EV pricing trends reflect tight supply and sustained interest in more efficient options. The episode also explores key industry developments, from OEM strategy shifts and production challenges to evolving tariff discussions and regulatory activity, offering a clearer view of what these signals could mean for the road ahead. The Auto Market Brief delivers timely data, clear context, and practical insight to help industry leaders make smarter decisions—what’s happening now, and what’s coming next. The Auto Market Brief is powered by Cox Automotive. For more industry insights and expert perspectives, visit our Insights Hub at https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights [https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights].

How Are Gas Prices Changing Car Buying Decisions?

How are rising gas prices influencing what consumers want, and what they’re willing to buy next? In this bonus episode of The Auto Market Brief, Erin Keating is joined by Alex Bland, Cox Automotive's Sr. Director of Market and Customer Research and Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Cox Automotive's Director of Industry Insights, to uncover findings from a recent Cox Automotive consumer survey exploring how fuel price increases are shaping shopping behavior, vehicle consideration, and overall sentiment. What consumers are telling us right now: The survey reveals that fuel costs are top of mind for many shoppers, with a majority indicating that rising gas prices are influencing their next vehicle decision, whether that means shifting toward fuel efficiency, delaying a purchase, or accelerating plans to reduce ongoing costs.  Why hybrids are gaining traction: Findings show strong interest in hybrids as a more familiar and lower‑risk alternative, offering improved efficiency without the need for a full transition to electric vehicles. What the data says about EVs and the used market: The conversation also explores how ongoing affordability pressures, the growing availability of used EVs from off‑lease vehicles, and increasing consumer familiarity with EV technology are contributing to momentum in the used EV market, even as new EV adoption continues to evolve. The episode also touches on how generational and regional differences shape these trends, and what the latest consumer signals suggest for the path ahead. The Auto Market Brief delivers timely data, clear context, and practical insight to help industry leaders make smarter decisions—what’s happening now, and what’s coming next. The Auto Market Brief is powered by Cox Automotive. For more industry insights and expert perspectives, visit our Insights Hub at https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights [https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights].