The new-car market is still moving at a 16.1 million-unit annualized pace, but that stability is being propped up by wealthier buyers while the middle class gets squeezed at the finance desk.

Today’s episode breaks down Toyota closing the gap with GM through hybrids, Honda’s rumored Element revival, Slate’s $24,950 stripped-down EV pickup, 180,000 reservations, and why $767 average monthly payments are forcing dealers to lean harder on credit unions.

Today's Key Headlines

~Cox Automotive projects a 16.1 million-unit seasonally adjusted annual sales rate

~EV sales are projected to fall 23.3% while hybrid sales rise about 10%

~Toyota closes its sales gap with GM to roughly 83,255 vehicles

~Slate confirms a $24,950 base price for its modular electric pickup

~Experian data shows the average new-vehicle mo ...