Auto Loan Access Keeps Falling
July conditions tighter for consumers despite average loan rate decline.

The reduced credit access came in all channels and lender types.
Pexels/Pixabay
Auto loans were harder to get for the fourth month in a row as approval rates declined and other measures made credit more challenging to come by in July.
Though the average loan rate fell by seven basis points for an 80-point decline since February, loan approval rates declined four percentage points year-over-year, according to Cox Automotive.
In addition to continued reduced approval rates, Cox blamed decreased subprime share and increased yield spreads.
The reduced credit access came in all channels and lender types, according to its report, which put Cox’s All-Loans Index down 1% to 92.9, or about a 2% year-over-year drop.
Loans with negative equity increased slightly for the month, actually helping credit availability. Term lengths, the percentage of down payments, and loans with terms longer than 72 months were flat, though the down payment percentage was up by 30 basis points year-over-year.
LEARN MORE: Is the Death Knell Being Sounded for Dealer Financing?
.
More Industry

Dealer Debrief: Luxury Brands are Losing Ground
The quality gap between luxury and mass-market auto brands is narrowing. Today, Lauren is discussing why.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
Longtime Ford Store Changes Hands
The Virginia dealership joins a small area automotive group in a one-dealership transaction, moving from one family franchisee to another.
Read More →
Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize
Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.
Read More →
ASE Seeks Accurate Technician Pay, Benefits Data
New free membership trial removes cost barrier for dealerships and shops willing to contribute anonymous information to the industry data exchange.
Read More →
No Longer Worth the Price?
Mass-market auto brands are gaining ground on luxury competitors with what used to be premium features, helped along by the pressure of high vehicle prices dogging budget-conscious shoppers.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Colorful Cars & BMW Backlash
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the first Slate vehicles and the BMW x Spider-Man collab that has sparked some privacy concerns.
Read More →
Georgia Auto Group to Be Sold
Major U.S. player Group 1 signed an agreement to purchase the Atlanta-area stores across multiple brands from a longtime market leader.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Four-Figure Loan Payments
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the rise in $1,000-plus loan payments and the factors affecting the increase.
Read More →
July Auto Sales Simmer
Deliveries were up modestly from a year ago despite still-high prices as OEMs offered more incentives and loan rates eased somewhat.
Read More →
