With new-vehicle loan amounts and monthly payments rising to record highs during the fourth quarter, leasing’s share of the market grew to record levels. Data from Experian Automotive also showed that more consumers turned to the used-vehicle market in the end-of-year period.
Outstanding auto loan balances totaled $987 billion in the fourth quarter 2015, up 11.5% from the year-ago period and the highest level since Experian Automotive began publicly tracking the data in 2006.
Between October 2014 and September 2015, consumers returned to Subaru and Ford more than any other OEM brand, according Experian Automotive.
Based on new-vehicle registration data collected by Experian Automotive, industry sales have returned to prerecession levels. Crossover utility vehicles and the state of California have led the way, accounting for 23.9% and 11.8% of all new-vehicle registrations, respectively.
Experian Automotive reported that outstanding loan balances are now up more than 53% from the post-recession low in 2010.
The Comptroller of the Currency warned in a speech delivered yesterday that the pace of auto lending reminds him of the mortgage industry in the run up to the 2009 financial crisis.
The rise in new-vehicle prices continued in the second quarter, with more consumers turning toward the used market and leasing. Loan terms also continued to stretch.
The total dollar volume for outstanding automotive loan balances grew by $92 million from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, the largest dollar volume growth since 2006, according to a report from Experian Automotive.
Delinquencies remained in check despite total outstanding auto loan balances rising to an all-time high, signaling a healthy automotive credit climate.
Experian Automotive's review of the American muscle car resurgence found that Chevrolet Corvette and Dodger Viper buyers tend to pay cash, while the Dodge Charger was the most leased muscle car.
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