Inventory Shortages Keep Pushing Consumers To Used Vehicles

[Counterman]

As the automotive industry grapples with ongoing inventory shortages, consumers continue their shift to used vehicles.

According to Experian’s “State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q2 2022,” 61.78% of all vehicle financing was for used vehicles, up from 58.48% in Q2 2021.

The shift to used vehicles was present across all credit tiers, though near-prime saw the largest increase, going from 72.3% in Q2 2021 to 77.69% in Q2 2022.

Subprime consumers saw the percentage of used-vehicle loans grow from 86.28% in Q2 2021 to 89.29% in Q2 2022, while prime consumers saw growth from 61.02% to 63.59% in the same time frame, according to Experian.

“Between the inventory shortage and rising vehicle costs, consumers are looking to make the most cost-effective decision, which is often a used vehicle,” said Melinda Zabritski, Experian’s senior director of automotive financial solutions. “The benefit of higher vehicle values is that consumers are able to get more for their trade-ins, which can help offset the increased cost of their next vehicle.”

The shift to used comes amid rising average vehicle-loan amounts and monthly payments for both new and used vehicles. The average new-vehicle loan amount increased 13.21% year-over-year to reach $40,290 in Q2 2022, with a monthly payment of $667 compared to $582 in Q2 2021. Average used-vehicle loan amounts saw a sharper increase of 18.66% year-over-year, clocking in at $28,534, with an average monthly payment of $515, an increase from $440 in Q2 2021.

As consumers financed more used vehicles, credit unions experienced significant growth. Credit unions saw a jump in overall market share, reaching 25.81% in Q1 2022, up from 18.32% in Q1 2021, coming in second only to banks (27.94%) and surpassing captive lenders (22.64%), according to Experian.

Credit unions achieved growth in both new- and used-vehicle financing, though the growth was more pronounced in the used-vehicle space.

Though captives still led new-vehicle financing at 46.14% in Q2 2021, credit unions increased to 21.35%, up from 11.15% last year. For used-vehicle financing, credit unions comprised 28.62% in Q1 2022, up from 23.49% in Q1 2021. The growth places credit unions just behind banks, which held 29.19% of used-vehicle financing in Q1 2022.

“With the market dynamics we’re seeing right now, the shift in lender market share makes sense, as credit unions often offer two things that consumers are seeking: lower interest rates and longer terms,” Zabritski continued. “This helps to manage their monthly payment, which is often what consumers prioritize when looking at financing options. Understanding these trends will ensure lenders and dealers can help consumers make the most informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle.”

Additional findings for Q2 2022:

• Leasing decreased to 19.65% of new vehicles in Q2 2022, down from 27.82% in Q2 2021.
• The market continues to move more prime with prime (45.74%) and super prime (19.57%) comprising more than 63% of all originations in Q2 2022.
• SUVs surpassed 60% of total financing in Q2 2022 at 60.43%, up from 58.57% in Q2 2021.
• The average difference between a new-vehicle loan and lease payment was $127 in Q2 2022.
• The average loan term for new-vehicle loans remained flat going from 69.45 to 69.46 months from Q2 2021 to Q2 2022; average used-vehicle loan terms grew from 66.14 months to 68.01 months, year-over-year.

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