In a move likely to draw the ire of President Trump, inflation concerns compelled the Federal Reserve to hold its target rate at 3.75% to 4% following September’s quarter-point hike — and two members voted to raise it again. +

Analysts say average negative equity on trade-ins has passed the $7,000 mark, forcing underwater buyers to pay $165 more per month than the national average. +

Edmunds reports new vehicle financing set five new records, including an average amount financed of $44,664 and a $787 monthly payment. +

New and used car buyers borrowed more but secured lower interest rates in the second quarter as competitive monthly payments helped hybrids gain market share. +

Sales of new Mazdas and Subarus improved by 35% and 10% year-over-year in May, leading all U.S.-facing factories as fleets helped offset flat retail sales. +

The Federal Reserve board of governors voted 8-4 in favor of holding its target lending rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, where it has stood since December, in what was likely its last meeting led by chairman Jerome Powell. +

Average amounts financed, monthly payments and repayment terms all grew on a year-over-year basis in the first quarter, putting auto finance on shaky ground. +

Dealertrack's Credit Availability Index climbed to 101.3 in February, a 6% year-over-year improvement, despite a lower overall approval rate and a widening yield spread. +

Analysts say fewer than half of U.S. dealers are optimistic about the auto retail market in Cox Automotive’s latest Dealer Sentiment Index report, but expectations for the spring are notably higher. +

Experian reports subprime borrowers accounted for 15.3% of U.S. auto finance originations in the fourth quarter, claiming their largest share of the market since 2021. +