Credit Availability Hits a New High, Inflation Eases, and Inventory Holds Steady

With improved access to credit, cooler inflation readings, and stable inventory, what is the outlook for the road ahead?In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating is joined by recurring guest Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist at Cox Automotive, to break down the latest economic and industry trends shaping the automotive market. From improving credit availability and easing inflation to retail spending patterns and wholesale vehicle values, they explore what recent data signals could mean for consumers, dealers, lenders, and automakers.Why credit availability is an important economic indicator: Lender willingness to finance consumers has reached its highest level in years. This episode explores what that says about market confidence and why credit conditions can influence affordability and vehicle demand.How better-than-expected inflation data is shaping the outlook: This episode covers June inflation data, which came in lower than expected, with headline CPI improving and several automotive-related cost pressures moving in the right direction.What inventory levels reveal about today's market: Stable overall inventory levels are largely attributed to inventory discipline among top-selling automakers, with affordability challenges being increasingly driven by broader household finances rather than vehicle pricing alone.The episode also covers wholesale vehicle value trends, growing EV supply in the used market, labor developments involving Hyundai and the UAW, changes in lending policy discussions, and other industry developments that could influence the market in the months 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 Cox Automotive Insights.