Experian: Auto Loan Balances Grow at Fastest Rate Since 2006
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The total dollar volume for outstanding automotive loan balances grew by $92 million from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, according to Experian Automotive’s latest State of the Automotive Finance Market report. It was the largest dollar volume growth since 2006. Findings from the report showed that ... Read More »
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The total dollar volume for outstanding automotive loan balances grew by $92 million from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, according to Experian Automotive’s latest State of the Automotive Finance Market report. It was the largest dollar volume growth since 2006.
Findings from the report showed that total loan balances also reached a record-high $932 billion in the second quarter of 2015, up from $840 billion in the second quarter of 2014.
In addition to rapid growth and record-setting dollar volumes, the automotive loan market showed increased stability, as consumers continued to make timely payments. In the second quarter of 2015, the 30-day delinquency rate dropped to the lowest level for a second quarter period in the past five years at 2.32%, down from 2.37% in the second quarter of 2014. The 60-day delinquency rate was up, but only slightly, from 0.603% in the second quarter of 2014 to 0.607% in the second quarter of 2015.
“The automotive loan market is working the way it’s supposed to, with loans being made, vehicles purchased and payments made on time,” said Melinda Zabritski, Experian’s senior director of automotive finance. “The automotive loan market is gaining momentum while maintaining remarkable stability. It’s a good sign for the economy overall.”
Lenders maintained a balanced strategy in the second quarter of 2015. Subprime loans and deep-subprime loans grew as a share of the market but were balanced out by growth of the super-prime risk tier. The combined 20.02% share for subprime and deep subprime was up slightly from 19.92% in the second quarter of 2015. Super prime grew from 20.68% share in the second quarter of 2014 to 20.99% share in the second quarter of 2015.
“Overall, lenders are taking a balanced approach to their portfolios, with slight growth in subprime and deep subprime balanced by the uptick in loans to the super-prime risk tier,” Zabritski continued. “There really is nothing alarming about the growth seen in subprime loans, provided consumers continue to make timely payments.”
On a state-by-state level, the highest delinquency rates were found primarily in the South, while the states with the lowest rates typically were found in the Midwest and the Northwest.
More Industry

Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →
State Follows Federal Warning on Auto Ads
The Massachusetts attorney general cautioned the state’s automotive dealers to be upfront with the consuming public about their vehicle prices or risk punishment.
Read More →
Consumer Outlook on the Rise
Younger generations are feeling more positive about their financial futures and current affordability pressures than older generations, according to recent TransUnion data.
Read More →
Pennsylvania Dealership Under New Retailers
The sale of the Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram store puts a family auto group on a leaner path as first-time dealers take the helm.
Read More →
Battery Storage Takes Priority Over EVs
U.S. automakers are prioritizing battery energy stationary storage over electric-vehicle production as the consumer demand for EVs lags the rest of the world.
Read More →