EDMUNDS SHOCKS The Car Market (INSANE DATA!) | Episode 994
About this episode
The latest data from Edmunds reveals alarming trends in the car market, with over 20% of new car buyers committing to monthly payments of $1,000 or more. The average monthly payment for new vehicles has reached a record high of $772, while the average amount financed has also surged to over $43,000. The hosts discuss the implications of these figures, highlighting a growing affordability crisis in the automotive industry. They express skepticism about manufacturers' commitment to addressing these issues, suggesting that extended loan terms and rising prices are becoming the norm, leaving many potential buyers priced out of the market.
total cost of ownership
"...we know total cost of ownership obviously is significantly higher than just your car payment. We don't even talk about fuel on this channel but obviously fuels a component..."
Total cost of ownership is how much money you will spend on a car over time, not just the price you pay to buy it. It includes things like fuel, insurance, and repairs, so you get a better idea of what owning the car will really cost you.
Total cost of ownership refers to the comprehensive calculation of all costs associated with owning a vehicle, including purchase price, financing, insurance, maintenance, fuel, and depreciation. It's important for buyers to consider this figure to understand the true financial impact of their vehicle choice.
insurance
"...insurance, I mean we were talking all December about how you need to shop your insurance, it's January, you still need to shop your insurance..."
Car insurance is a way to protect yourself financially if something happens to your car, like an accident or theft. You pay a monthly fee, and if something goes wrong, the insurance company helps cover the costs.
Insurance for vehicles is a financial product that provides protection against financial loss in the event of accidents, theft, or damage. It's a critical expense for car owners and can vary widely based on factors like vehicle type, driver history, and coverage options.
average monthly payment
"Now the average monthly payments have the second bullet there. Monthly payments for new vehicles climb to the highest levels ever recorded."
The average monthly payment is how much people usually pay each month when they buy a new car with a loan. It can change depending on how much the car costs and the interest rates.
The average monthly payment refers to the typical amount consumers pay each month for financing a new vehicle. This figure can fluctuate based on factors like vehicle price, interest rates, and loan terms.
financed new vehicle purchase
"the average monthly payment on a financed new vehicle purchase reached a new all-time high of $772 in Q4 of 2025."
A financed new vehicle purchase means buying a new car with a loan. You borrow money to pay for the car and then pay it back over time with interest.
A financed new vehicle purchase refers to buying a new car using a loan, where the buyer pays back the loan amount plus interest over time. This is a common way for consumers to afford new vehicles without paying the full price upfront.
interest rates
"The whole concept was well we need to Fed to lower the Fed rates so that interest rates on car loans could go down."
Interest rates are what you pay extra when you borrow money. For car loans, if the interest rate is lower, you pay less money each month.
Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage. In the context of car loans, lower interest rates can lead to lower monthly payments, making financing more affordable for buyers.
Ford F150
"I've always wanted a new F-150. Okay. So I'm going to do Ford. Yes. And I'm going to do F-150."
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck that can be used for work or personal use. It comes in different styles and features, making it suitable for many drivers.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck known for its versatility and capability, making it one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. It offers various trims and configurations to suit different needs, from workhorse to luxury.
trim
"Yes. And now you'll notice here, y'all, trim is right below the model. All right. So we've got the trim right there."
Trim is a way to describe the different versions of a car model that come with various features. For example, a car might have a basic version and a fancier version with more options.
In automotive terms, 'trim' refers to the different configurations or levels of features available for a specific car model. Each trim level can offer varying features, performance options, and price points.
bed length
"And then bed length will also show up right here for your pickup trucks as well. So you can choose your bed length right there."
Bed length is how long the truck's cargo area is. It affects how much stuff you can fit in the back of the truck, which is important for people who use trucks for work or hauling.
Bed length refers to the size of the cargo area in a pickup truck. Different lengths can affect the truck's utility and how much cargo it can carry, making it an important consideration for buyers.
monthly payment calculator
"...I want to go to my monthly payment calculator. Here we go."
A monthly payment calculator is a tool that shows you how much you'll pay each month for a car loan, based on the car price and interest rate.
A monthly payment calculator is a tool that helps potential car buyers estimate their monthly loan payments based on the vehicle price, loan term, and interest rate.
out-the-door price
"...we've got a $95,000 out the door price. That's great."
The out-the-door price is the total amount you pay for a car, including the car price, taxes, and any extra fees, so you know exactly what you'll spend.
The out-the-door price includes the total cost of a vehicle, encompassing the base price, taxes, fees, and any additional charges, representing the final amount a buyer pays.
Ford Raptor
"...we're at $1,944 a month for this Ford Raptor. Yippee!"
The Ford Raptor is a special version of the Ford F-150 truck designed for off-road driving, featuring a strong engine and tough features.
The Ford Raptor is a high-performance off-road variant of the Ford F-150, known for its powerful engine and rugged capabilities.
APR
"...new vehicle APRs declined .13%."
APR means Annual Percentage Rate, and it's the interest rate you pay on a loan each year, including any extra fees, helping you understand the total cost of borrowing.
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, which represents the yearly interest rate charged on borrowed money, including any fees or additional costs associated with the loan.
Nissan Kicks
"Let's do... We'll do a Kicks. So we're at $28,890 here. Come down to the payment calculator."
The Nissan Kicks is a small SUV that's easy to drive and park. It's popular because it's affordable and gets good gas mileage.
The Nissan Kicks is a subcompact crossover SUV known for its affordability and fuel efficiency. It's designed for urban driving and offers a spacious interior for its size.
basis points
"...they showed that new vehicle APRs declined 13 basis points, 0.13...."
Basis points are a way to talk about small changes in interest rates. One basis point is just one-hundredth of a percent, so it helps when discussing tiny adjustments.
A basis point is a unit of measure used in finance to describe the percentage change in value or interest rates. One basis point is equal to 0.01%, making it a useful way to express small changes in rates.
0% financing
"...when the manufacturer steps up and says, oh crap, we got to sell these things, we're going to go from $609 a month to 501. So now let's talk about this...."
0% financing means you can borrow money to buy a car without paying any interest. This makes your monthly payments lower and can save you money overall.
0% financing refers to a promotional offer where the buyer pays no interest on a loan for a specified period. This can significantly lower monthly payments and make purchasing a vehicle more affordable.
0% interest
"...when Nissan offers 0% interest, they know that the vast, vast, vast majority of their customers are never going to qualify for it. They just aren't."
0% interest means you won't have to pay extra money on top of the price of the car when you borrow money to buy it. This makes your monthly payments cheaper.
0% interest refers to a financing offer where the buyer does not pay any interest on the loan amount. This can make monthly payments significantly lower, making it easier for customers to afford a vehicle.
maintenance costs
"...that might help you cover your automobile insurance and some of your maintenance costs."
Maintenance costs are the money you spend to keep your car running well. This includes things like oil changes and fixing any problems that come up.
Maintenance costs refer to the expenses associated with keeping a vehicle in good working condition. This includes regular services like oil changes, tire rotations, and any repairs needed to ensure the vehicle operates safely.
zero percent financing
"...manufacturers will either have to step up, do zero percent financing and things like that, which for instance here on this Kix..."
Zero percent financing means you can borrow money to buy a car without having to pay any interest. This makes the car cheaper in the long run because you only pay back what you borrowed.
Zero percent financing refers to a loan or financing option where the borrower pays no interest on the amount borrowed. This is often used as an incentive to encourage customers to purchase a vehicle by lowering the overall cost of financing.
lease incentive
"...Nissan's offering right now a lease incentive that is effectively 7.44 percent APR or $300 in customer cash..."
A lease incentive is a deal that makes it cheaper to rent a car for a certain period. It can mean lower monthly payments or cash back to help you get the car.
A lease incentive is a promotional offer from a manufacturer or dealership to encourage customers to lease a vehicle. This can include lower monthly payments, cash bonuses, or special financing rates.
Nissan
"...the rush at these Nissan dealerships so that the people can get that $300 lease cash or that 7.24 percent interest rate on that?"
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many different types of vehicles, including sedans and SUVs.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to SUVs and trucks.
lease cash
"...can get that $300 lease cash or that 7.24 percent interest rate on that? Who the hell is running in for that?"
Lease cash is money that car companies give to help lower the cost of leasing a car, making it cheaper for people to drive a new vehicle.
Lease cash is a financial incentive offered by manufacturers to encourage customers to lease a vehicle. It effectively reduces the cost of leasing, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
stair step programs
"...Nissan's putting all their money in their stair step programs."
Stair step programs are ways car companies reward dealerships for selling more cars, giving them bonuses as they reach certain sales goals.
Stair step programs are incentive structures used by manufacturers to encourage dealerships to sell more vehicles. They provide bonuses based on the number of cars sold, creating a tiered incentive system.
supply and demand imbalances
"...because there are already supply and demand imbalances here in the United States."
Supply and demand imbalances happen when there are not enough cars for people who want to buy them, which can cause prices to go up or down.
Supply and demand imbalances occur when the quantity of a product available (supply) does not meet the quantity that consumers want to buy (demand), often leading to price fluctuations.
Hyundai
"...I'm looking here at Hyundai Dad, who actually, they saw their prices go up significantly in here."
Hyundai is a car company from South Korea that makes many different types of vehicles. They are known for providing good value and have a strong warranty on their cars.
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars. The brand has gained popularity for its value, warranty offerings, and advancements in technology.
dealer fees
"On that $68,000 car that you should be able to buy for $64,000 plus fees."
Dealer fees are extra costs that car dealerships might add when you buy a car. These fees can cover things like paperwork and preparing the car for sale.
Dealer fees are additional charges that a dealership may add to the purchase price of a vehicle. These can include documentation fees, preparation fees, and other costs associated with the sale.
Toyota
"...obviously which brands, Cough, Lexus, Cough, Toyota have an imbalance when it comes to supply and demand."
Toyota is a well-known car company from Japan that makes many types of vehicles. They are famous for making reliable and long-lasting cars.
Toyota is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles. It is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world and has a strong reputation for quality.
Lexus
"...obviously which brands, Cough, Lexus, Cough, Toyota have an imbalance when it comes to supply and demand."
Lexus is a brand of luxury cars made by Toyota. They are known for being high-quality and comfortable.
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. Known for its high-quality vehicles and customer service, Lexus has a reputation for reliability and luxury.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.