All Things Used Cars 8-7-2026

Sponsored by Agile Auto

 

Agile Auto Economic Update

• Q2 GDP grew 1.5% as Consumer spending increased 3.2%,
• PCE inflation remains elevated at 3.7%, with core PCE at 3.3%.
• The Fed held rates steady in July, as personal income increased.
• Q2 GDP growth of 1.5% was weaker than expected.
• Consumer spending increased 3.2%, up sharply from 0.5% in Q1.

Consumer Confidence

• Consumer Confidence declined to 90.8 in July.
• Consumers reported declining vehicle purchase intent during the next six months.

What Used Car Leaders Should Watch

• Price Point and Payment: Monitor where demand is moving as consumers become increasingly payment sensitive.
• Acquisition Cost: Do not pay today’s price based on yesterday’s demand.
• Aging Exposure: Slower demand increases the cost and risk of carrying the wrong inventory.
• Inventory Turn: Capital should concentrate in vehicles with demonstrated store and market demand.
• VIN Level Risk: Similar vehicles can have materially different demand, competitive, pricing, and depreciation profiles.

Agile Auto Market Outlook

• We do not see the current data as a reason to retreat from the used vehicle market.
• We see it as a reason to become more precise.
• Demand will remain, but it is unlikely to be distributed evenly across segments, price points, markets, or individual VINs.
• Dealers aligned with changing consumer demand can capitalize on opportunities while others accumulate aging and margin risk.
• In this environment, inventory precision matters more than inventory volume.