Sponsored by Agile Auto

 

 

Economy

• 5,000 taxpayer dividends for overpayment could fund down payments for next tax season
• Unemployment is holding around 4.1–4.3%, indicating a balanced labor market.
• August job gains were strong at 162,000 and layoffs remain historically
• The Fed is expected to raise rates by 25 bps in September and then pause
• Resilient demand + strong investment + rising productivity → keeps expansion intact.

 

Automotive

New Car:

• • New sales gain: August sales pace up 3.3% from July with supply tightening
  • Affordability gap: Vehicles under $30,000 at 54 days’ supply; over $60,000 above 90 days.
  • Average new listing price: $49,486, up 2%

 

Used Car:

• • Used demand continues to improve: Retail supply fell to 44 days from 46 in July.
  • Younger used vehicles under pressure: 3yr-old values fell 1.8%, versus a typical 0.6%
  • Older, affordable vehicles holding value better.

 

Takeaways

• Buy for the “Yes Payment.” Match inventory to YOUR local affordability.
• Move faster. Pricing and aging decisions protect gross. Retail Strategy
• Watch total acquisition cost. Include transportation and reconditioning and holding cost.
• Manage locally. Each store, segment, and price range behaves differently.
• Demand is still there. Stock what YOUR customers can afford by segment and trim.