COX AUTO NEWS WEEKLY
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Editor's Note: Hey Cox how about a thank you to The Auto Channel for convincing your executives that all automotive is a better long term play than the NASCAR Channel you were pushing for...
In 1993 Cox Ownership wanted to create a purely motorsports entity...until the owners of The Auto Channel convinced them that success could come from serving the auto industry For two years The Auto Channel shared its proprietary knowledge with Cox including the details for an automotive entity, not a motorsports partnership between Cox and The Auto Channel...we were led to believe that because of the partnership level of discussions and agreements with the management of Cox and their telling us we had a deal we proceeded with the confidential foundation and details of creating The Auto Channel TV and cable network for our partnership...
As old line broadcasters at that time, where your word was your bond we believed that the old line sisters that owned Cox would be as honorable with us as we were with them, but obviously they hired dishonorable management who copied everything we taught them and screwed us by creating a plagiarized version of of our network...we brought a $500,000,000 federal lawsuit against them and their sister cable whores Comcast and Continental...the judge didn't understand how cable companies were a monopoly because they served diverse areas, and so ruled against us...oh baby look at Cox Now ... i don't see any motorsports do you? May the perpetrators of the theft rot in Hell and get cancer the dishonest pricks. We have all of the documentation and Cox presentations available for perusal.
Welcome to From the Newsroom, a roundup of news from Cox Automotive and perspectives from its analysts and experts on topics dominating the automotive industry.
As the first quarter draws to a close, the auto market remains in flux with numerous factors influencing the market, making predicting the future challenging. Through it all, the Cox Automotive Economic and Industry Insights team is diligently analyzing the data to provide fact-based insights.
The Q1 2025 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) reflects a nuanced picture of the market. The overall dealer sentiment index rose slightly but still suggests that more dealers view the current market as weak rather than strong. However, the market outlook index reached its highest score since 2022, reflecting optimism for the spring selling season. The survey was taken in late January and early February.
In the Auto Market Report video published this morning, Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke noted, “We are more than halfway through March with tariffs still in the background. Otherwise, tax refunds are flowing and are up strongly versus last year, and retail sales are seeing strong gains as a result.”
Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book
average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle was $48,039 in February, down from January but up year over year. Sales incentives were stable month over month but higher by nearly 20% from February 2024. Electric vehicle incentives hit a record high, reaching almost 15% of ATP.Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View data shows U.S. auto inventory levels changed in early March, likely due to strong February sales influenced by tax refunds and annual bonuses. New-vehicle supply increased, while used-vehicle supply decreased to start March.
Join Us:
Register now for the Q1 Cox Automotive Industry Insights and Sales Forecast Call, scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at 11 a.m. EDT. In addition to providing comprehensive auto market data, the team will discuss tariffs and Tesla, two of the most significant topics this year.Visit the Cox Automotive Newsroom for updates on the industry’s most important topics. Bookmark the Auto Market Snapshot, a one-stop dashboard for the data we are tracking.
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Spring Optimism Boosts US Auto Dealer Sentiment, Despite Weak Profits, Growing Costs The Q1 2025 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) reveals a nuanced picture of the U.S. automobile market. The overall dealer sentiment index rose slightly to 44 from 42 in Q4 2024, indicating a modest improvement in market conditions. However, the score remains below the threshold of 50, suggesting that more dealers still view the market as weak rather than strong. Franchised dealers were more positive about current market conditions with a score of 54, up from 50 last quarter, while independent dealers rated the market as weak at 42, though this was an improvement from previous scores. The market outlook index reached its highest score since 2022, climbing to 58, reflecting optimism for the spring selling season. Conversely, the profit index declined to 34, just above the all-time low of 33 in Q1 2024, highlighting continued weak profitability. The cost index held steady at 71, indicating ongoing concerns about rising business expenses. “Certainly, a theme that continues through all of the findings is that the first quarter is better than a year ago for sure,” noted Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “Even though we have some risks about the future, and it’s not exactly a straightforward bet for improvement by dealers, the sentiment at the time of this survey was certainly more positive than it was a year ago.” |
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Tax Refunds Drive Retail Vehicle Demand, Momentum Likely Through April In the Auto Market Report published this morning, Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said, “We are seeing seasonally strong retail vehicle demand, and with tax refunds reaching critical mass, demand should remain strong at least through April.” Tax refund season is outperforming last year. Refund volumes are up 1%, and 41% of refunds have been issued, slightly ahead of last year’s pace. Some $145 billion has been issued so far, a 7% increase year over year. The average refund is now $3,324, up 6% from last year. Read the Auto Market Weekly Summary and watch the Auto Market Report. |
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New-Vehicle Prices Increase Year Over Year in February, With Record EV Incentives and Booming Six-Figure Vehicle Sales Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book price report for February shows the new-vehicle average transaction price (ATP) was $48,039. This is a 1.0% increase from last year but a 1.3% decrease from January. Sales incentives were stable month over month but rose 18.6% compared to February 2024, averaging 7.1% of ATP, or about $3,392. EV incentives reached a record high. Sales of the discontinued Mitsubishi Mirage, the only U.S. vehicle under $20,000 ATP, dropped to 2,323 units in February, a 15% decrease from January. Its incentives averaged 2.0% of ATP, well below the industry average. Meanwhile, sales of vehicles transacting for more than $100,000 rose to 52,000 by February’s end, up from 46,000 in the first two months of 2024. Land Rover’s Range Rover dominated the six-figure segment in the month of February, with more than 3,800 units sold. |
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US Auto Inventory Levels Shift in March Amid Strong February Sales Boosted by Tax Refunds and Bonuses Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View data shows new and used inventory levels heading in different directions at the start of March, likely due to strong February sales influenced by tax refunds and annual bonuses. Available unsold inventory in the new-vehicle market reached 2.99 million units at the start of March, reflecting a 2.2% increase from February and a 12.8% increase from a year ago. However, days’ supply tightened to 89, dropping by 10 days. The 30-day sales pace rose 13.6% month over month in February and 5.9% year over year. Used-vehicle inventory continued to tighten in early March, with 2.18 million units on dealer lots, a decline from February levels and 1% lower year over year. Days’ supply was 42, down eight days. February retail sales surged 16% compared to January, marking the largest January-to-February increase in recent years. Read the full article on new-vehicle inventory by Executive Analyst Erin Keating. To look at used-vehicle inventory to start March, read the Data Point from Senior Analyst Scott Vanner. |
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Join Us: Cox Automotive Industry Insights and Sales Forecast Call The Q1 Cox Automotive Industry Insights and Sales Forecast Call will be hosted on Wednesday, March 26, at 11 a.m. EDT, shortly before the auto industry closes the book on the first quarter. In the upcoming webinar, Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke, along with the Economic and Industry Insights team, will deliver an update on the U.S. automotive industry for March and the first quarter of 2025. This presentation will encompass the electrified, new- and used-vehicle markets, with data and insights from Cox Automotive. In addition, the team will discuss tariffs and Tesla, two of the most significant topics this year. If you can’t make the live webinar, be sure to register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording after the event. The presentation will be sent to all registrants one hour prior to the event. |
Cox Automotive is set to release its U.S. auto sales forecast for March on Wednesday, March 26, in conjunction with the
Q1 Industry Insights and Sales Forecast Call.Contact us if you have questions or want to connect with the Cox Automotive Corporate Communications team.
Auto Quotes
“At the time of this survey, U.S. automobile dealers were feeling pretty good about the market. A combination of positive factors has been working in the dealers’ favor – inventory is healthy, and consumers have some urgency to buy. At least as we head into spring, conditions are favorable. However, considering the administration’s current and shifting tariff stance, how long this momentum will last is unclear.”
Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at Cox Automotive, speaking about the Q1 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index.