Nearly one in five new vehicles now comes with a monthly payment over $1,000, and that one number explains why the auto industry is shifting from selling more cars to squeezing more margin from fewer buyers.

Today’s episode breaks down Cox Automotive’s 15.8 million-unit sales forecast, Bain’s warning that the U.S. market could shrink by more than 2 million units by 2040, Volkswagen’s possible 100,000-job restructuring, and why dealership F&I pay plans and reinsurance products are becoming survival tools.

Today's Key Headlines

~Nearly one in five new vehicles sold carries a monthly payment over $1,000

~Cox Automotive projects U.S. new-vehicle sales around 15.8 million units

~Monthly car payments have surged roughly 60% as average loan rates rise from 6.5% to 9.5%

~The average U.S. vehicle age reaches a re ...