Story perspectives
New Car Sales Surge Amidst Market Bifurcation
1/6/2026
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Story summary
- New car sales are projected to rise to 16.3 million in 2025, despite rising tariffs and higher loan defaults.
- Affluent households, earning $150,000 or more, account for 43% of new car purchases in 2025, up from about 33% in 2019.
- Lower-income households earning under $75,000 represent about 25% of sales in 2025, down from over a third in 2019.
- This trend indicates market bifurcation.
