William Maley
Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com
October 15, 2013
On the face of it, sales for new vehicles haven't been better. Total sales for new vehicles could reach 15.5 million this year and some analysts believe that 2014 will see total sales reach 16 million vehicles. But with increase in sales, warning signs are appearing in automotive loans and leases which could put an end to the increases.
Automotive News that the average loan length has gone up to 65 months (about five and a half years). While the longer length means a lower payment, it also means that many consumers will still be in the process of paying their old vehicle off when they decide to buy a new one.
Also seeing a rise is the amount of subprime loans. During the second-quarter of this year, subprime loans accounted for 27.4 percent of loans made. That's an increase of two percent when compared to the same time last year. Now the good news is that delinquent loans (loans that three months or more overdue) are low and haven't increased with the number of subprime loans.
Analysts worry that the gains gotten by 'easy credit' could easily tumble if interest rates are raised. That could lead to slower sales, increased inventory, and the piling on of incentives.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.
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