Auto Consumers Pick Their Spots in Q3

Third-quarter auto financing trends reflected continued market stabilization, though consumers still tapped more affordable options to minimize wallet drain.

Experian data show the average new-vehicle auto loan rose about 2% year-over-year to $41,068, though the average monthly payment increased just $5 to $737 as the average interest rate fell from about 7.1% to 6.6%.

Even with those couple of breaks, though, many prime and super-prime borrowers opted for used vehicles, according to Experian’s research. About 1% more prime and super-prime consumers took out used-vehicle loans year-over-year, or 66% and 49%, respectively.

The average used-vehicle loan ticked down about 4% year-over-year to $26,091 while the average monthly payment fell $18 to $520, according to Experian.

Meanwhile, 30-day auto loan delinquencies rose slightly to about 3.1%.

To take advantage of federal tax credits for electric vehicles, many consumers opted to lease because leases circumvent tax-break restrictions on EV battery materials sourcing that disqualify some models. In fact, leases made up 45% of new-EV transactions in the quarter, said Experian Head of Automotive Financial Insights Melinda Zabritski. That was up from 25% a year earlier.

A larger number of affordable EV models also helped make the market more accessible for many consumers, Experian said.

LEARN MORE: Is the Death Knell Being Sounded for Dealer Financing?