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The Auto Market Brief: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Cox Automotive
The Auto Market Brief breaks down the latest trends and forecasts shaping the automotive industry. The show is hosted by Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating, coupling years of experience translating data and trends with the data and industry insights of the largest automotive services and technology provider. Joined by other Cox Automotive experts and outside guests, you’ll get data-driven insights and industry outlooks from some of the industry’s leading voices.
Latest Episodes
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- Today21 min
Tariffs, AI and the Future of Auto Retail: A Conversation with Automotive News
How are unpredictable tariffs, the evolution of AI and evolving consumer expectations reshaping the future of automotive retail?In this special episode of The Auto Market Brief, recorded live at Automotive News Congress 2026, Erin Keating is joined by Automotive News' Dan Shine, Larry Vellequette, and Molly Boigon for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces transforming the automotive industry. Drawing on expertise across retail, OEMs and technology, the conversation covers everything from market uncertainty and consumer behavior to emerging technology and the future of vehicle sales.Tariffs, Trade Policy and Industry Uncertainty Tariffs remain one of the biggest question marks for the industry, and manufacturers are still trying to determine what comes next. The group discusses how policy uncertainty is influencing product planning, pricing decisions and long-term investment strategies, while also creating new challenges around affordability and consumer demand.AI's Growing Influence Across Automotive Few topics generated more discussion than artificial intelligence. The conversation explores where AI is already showing promise, where companies are still searching for practical use cases and how leaders are thinking about everything from governance and security to measuring real business impact.The Evolution of Auto Retail and the Customer Experience Consumer expectations continue to reshape the way vehicles are bought and sold. From digital retailing and frictionless shopping experiences to Carvana's influence on the market and the ongoing debate over who owns the customer relationship, the group examines how retail is evolving and what it means for dealers, automakers and consumers alike.The episode also covers affordability, vehicle technology, software-driven features, warranty expectations, service retention, competitive pressures, changing consumer preferences and the trends these industry experts will be watching 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.
- 1 weeks ago25 min
Fed Policy Updates, Wholesale Trends and Regulatory Changes
In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating is joined by Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb to examine the latest Federal Reserve updates, wholesale market trends, and the economic forces helping support continued vehicle demand. They also explore several significant regulatory developments that could affect dealers, lenders, automakers, and consumers in the months ahead.Fed Signals and Consumer Impact Jeremy breaks down the Federal Reserve's latest rate decision, what surprised markets in the Fed's economic projections, and how policymakers continue balancing inflation concerns against a resilient economy. The discussion also explores how higher interest rates affect vehicle affordability and how perceptions of higher borrowing costs can affect vehicle purchase decisions.Wholesale Market Trends and Diesel Price Pressures The conversation also explores the wholesale market, where the latest Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index shows prices softening modestly year over year. Jeremy explains emerging depreciation patterns, including the outsized impact of one-year-old vehicles and how elevated fuel costs are influencing full-size trucks, SUVs, and diesel-powered vehicles across the market.Financial Assets, Consumer Wealth and Market Resilience New research on the growth of financial assets and the increasing role of the wealth effect in supporting consumer spending. The discussion highlights how rising asset values, retirement demographics, and changing buyer profiles may be helping explain the resilience of the automotive market despite affordability challenges and economic uncertainty.The episode also covers new FTC pricing guidance for dealers, finalized IRS rules surrounding auto loan interest deductions, minimum advertised pricing developments, and the latest legislative effort to require AM radio in new vehicles.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.
- 2 weeks ago26 min
Consumer Sentiment Makes Headlines, but It's Not the Whole Story
Consumer sentiment remains one of the most watched economic indicators, but it is only one piece of the consumer story.In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating is joined by Kayla Bruun, Head of Economic Analysis at Morning Consult, to examine why sentiment alone does not tell the complete consumer story. They compare Morning Consult’s Index of Consumer Sentiment with its Consumer Health Index, which combines personal financial sentiment with high-frequency labor-market data to provide a more grounded signal of real-time demand.Looking Beyond Consumer Sentiment Consumer sentiment measures continue to receive significant attention from economists, investors, and business leaders, but Erin and Kayla explain why sentiment alone rarely tells the complete story. The conversation explores how attitudes, financial health, labor-market conditions, and real-world spending behavior can move on different timelines. Using Morning Consult's Index of Consumer Sentiment and Consumer Health Index as examples, they discuss why broader measures of consumer health often provide a clearer view of underlying demand than sentiment headlines alone. A Consumer Economy Moving at Different Speeds The conversation examines the continued divide between income groups and how those differences are shaping spending patterns. While higher-income households have experienced sharper declines in sentiment, they have continued supporting spending in categories such as travel and experiences, even as many become more price conscious and seek savings on everyday purchases. The episode also explores the evolving role of middle-income consumers and recent improvements among certain younger and lower-income segments.What Price Responses Reveal About Vehicle Demand Kayla introduces Morning Consult's new price-response indicators, which track whether consumers absorb higher prices, walk away from purchases, or trade down to lower-cost alternatives. For automotive leaders, the data reveals continued vehicle consideration despite rising price sensitivity and greater evidence of trading down. The discussion highlights how replacement demand, affordability pressures, and shifts between new- and used-vehicle purchases may influence automotive demand in the months ahead.The episode also covers gas prices, inflation, consumer savings, labor-force participation, age-related spending trends, AI-related workplace concerns, vehicle affordability, new- and used-vehicle demand signals, and the indicators industry leaders should monitor over the next six to twelve months. 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.
- 3 weeks ago25 min
Diesel Hits Record Highs, Credit Availability Improves, and the Industry Balances Innovation and Investment
Diesel prices have reached record highs, credit availability continues to improve, and automotive leaders are facing new questions about where to invest for the future.In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating and Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb discuss the latest economic indicators, including credit availability, inflation, diesel prices, real wage growth, and vehicle affordability. While lenders continue to expand access to credit and support vehicle demand, rising fuel costs and inflation pressures are creating new challenges for consumers and the broader economy.Diesel prices reach record highsDiesel prices climbed above six dollars per gallon, driving concerns about transportation costs, inflation expectations, and the broader cost of goods throughout the economy. Erin and Jeremy examine why diesel remains one of the most important indicators influencing transportation costs, inflation expectations, and the cost of goods throughout the economy.Credit availability continues to improve While affordability challenges persist, lenders are showing a greater willingness to extend credit, helping support vehicle demand across the market. The discussion explores what's driving that trend, including lender confidence, improved financing conditions, and the relative stability of vehicle values in recent years.The industry faces tough questions about investment and innovation As technology investments become more expensive and competition intensifies, automotive companies are being forced to make increasingly difficult decisions about where to invest capital and how to scale new technologies. The discussion explores autonomous vehicle deployment, regulatory oversight, the rising cost of technology investments, and how manufacturers are evaluating where to allocate capital for future growth.The episode also covers CPI inflation, real wage growth, rising transportation costs, vehicle affordability, Volkswagen's portfolio strategy, Tesla's Cybercab rollout, NHTSA oversight, and the forces shaping the future of automotive technology and investment.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.
- 4 weeks ago28 min
FTC Pricing Rules Make Headlines, but the Real Story Is Transparency and Trust
Is the industry's move toward more transparent pricing a response to FTC pricing rules, or a shift that was already underway?In this bonus episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating is joined by Erin Lomax, Vice President of Operations for Consumer Marketplaces at Cox Automotive, to discuss the growing focus on all-in pricing and why pricing transparency is becoming increasingly important for both shoppers and dealers. While FTC regulation enforcement has brought new urgency to the conversation, the discussion explores how consumer expectations around pricing clarity have been evolving for years, and how dealers may have already been adapting.Transparent pricing builds shopper confidenceShoppers are not simply looking for the lowest advertised price. According to Cox Automotive's marketplace data, listings with fee-inclusive pricing are generating stronger engagement, more leads, and more value actions, suggesting that consumers increasingly reward clarity and confidence throughout the shopping journey.Trust may become a competitive advantageAs affordability remains a concern for many vehicle shoppers, unexpected fees can create uncertainty and disrupt purchasing decisions. This conversation explores why transparency is becoming more than a compliance requirement and how it can help strengthen consumer trust and create competitive advantages for dealers.Operational consistency matters just as much as disclosureFor dealers, one of the biggest challenges is maintaining consistent pricing and fee information across inventory systems, websites, marketplaces, digital retailing tools, and other consumer touchpoints. The conversation examines how better fee management processes can simplify operations while improving the shopper experience.The discussion also covers all-in pricing, dealer workflows, inventory management, digital retailing, marketplace engagement, fee-inclusive listings, consumer behavior, and how the industry is responding to evolving expectations around transparency.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.
- Sep 2, 202621 min
Consumer Spending Slows Again, Tariff Uncertainty Looms, and Manufacturers Rethink Production
What happens when consumer spending slows, trade policy remains uncertain, and automakers begin reassessing where vehicles are built?In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating and Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb examine the latest economic indicators, including new Q2 GDP readings, personal income data, consumer spending, inflation, and used-vehicle market activity. While income growth remains positive and vehicle demand continues to show resilience, signs of softer consumer spending have raised new questions about the economic outlook.Consumer spending slows for a second consecutive monthPersonal income growth remained solid, but spending growth moderated again, highlighting the ongoing pressure many consumers face as affordability challenges persist. The discussion explores what these trends may signal for the broader economy and automotive demand.Tariff uncertainty continues to influence business decisionsAs discussions around Canadian imports, USMCA, and future trade policy continue, automakers are watching closely. The conversation explores why product and production strategy may matter as much as the tariffs themselves when companies make long-term investment and production decisions.Manufacturers are rethinking production strategiesFrom Honda and Nissan to Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar Land Rover, several manufacturers are making decisions that reflect changing views on production, localization, capacity planning, and supply chain resilience.The episode also covers inflation, Jackson Hole Symposium expectations, Manheim Market Report trends, used-vehicle demand, August sales expectations, and the broader forces shaping today's automotive market.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.
- Aug 27, 202627 min
Shoppers Want It All, Including Affordability
How does the market adapt when shoppers expect one vehicle to deliver utility, efficiency, technology, comfort, and affordability all at once?In this bonus episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating is joined by Vanessa Ton, Senior Manager of Research and Market Intelligence at Cox Automotive, and Sean Tucker, Managing Editor at Kelley Blue Book, to explore the latest findings from the Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch study. The discussion reveals how consumer priorities continue to evolve as affordability becomes an increasingly important consideration, even among luxury shoppers. SUVs and hybrids continue to gain momentumSUV consideration reached its highest level on record, while hybrid consideration also hit a new high. Despite affordability concerns, shoppers continue to prioritize space, utility, and flexibility, increasingly seeking vehicles that can offer fuel efficiency without sacrificing capability. Affordability is influencing more purchase decisionsVehicle prices remain elevated, and affordability has become an increasingly important consideration across the market. While value-conscious brands continue to benefit, consumers are looking beyond price alone and focusing on the overall value a vehicle delivers. Value means more than lower pricesBrands like Kia, Subaru, Lincoln, and Audi gained consideration by delivering strong value propositions, whether through design, quality, comfort, brand reputation, or accessible luxury. The discussion explores how shoppers are evaluating tradeoffs and redefining what value means in today's market. The conversation also covers hybrid adoption, EV consideration, luxury and non-luxury shopper behavior, vehicle design trends, brand perception, and what Brand Watch reveals about changing consumer 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 Cox Automotive Insights.
- Aug 18, 202628 min
Consumers Pull Back, Wage Growth Trails Inflation, and Automakers Adapt
What happens when consumer spending slows, purchasing power comes under pressure, and automakers adjust their strategies to match a changing market?In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, Erin Keating and Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb break down the latest economic data, including consumer spending, wage growth, inflation, interest rates, and vehicle sales. While some indicators suggest consumers are becoming more cautious, the broader automotive market continues to show resilience amid changing economic conditions.Consumer spending is showing signs of slowingRecent spending data has softened, with retail sales coming in below expectations and consumer spending growth turning negative year over year, raising new questions about the strength of consumer demand.Purchasing power remains under pressureWage growth has remained below inflation for four consecutive months, reducing purchasing power and creating additional challenges for consumers already facing elevated borrowing costs and affordability concerns.Automakers rethink product, production, and growth strategiesAutomakers continue to adjust their product, manufacturing, and sourcing strategies as tariffs, trade policy discussions, and supply chain considerations play an increasingly important role in long-term planning.The conversation also covers inventory trends, used-vehicle values, trade policy developments, manufacturing decisions, and how brands are rethinking growth opportunities in an increasingly dynamic market.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.
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About The Auto Market Brief
The Auto Market Brief breaks down the latest trends and forecasts shaping the automotive industry. The show is hosted by Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating, coupling years of experience translating data and trends with the data and industry insights of the largest automotive services and technology provider. Joined by other Cox Automotive experts and outside guests, you’ll get data-driven insights and industry outlooks from some of the industry’s leading voices.
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