Increasing costs, high prices, and uncertainty regarding economic stability led to a deepening decline in overall confidence among automotive dealers in the fourth quarter.
Automotive dealers signaled weaker demand for vehicles in the quarter as both walk-in and online traffic dipped to record lows at franchised dealerships, Cox Automotive reported on Dec. 3 in its final Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) for 2025. The CADSI surveyed 919 franchised and independent automotive dealers and was conducted from Oct. 22 to Nov. 6.
Cox Automotive’s overall market index fell five points, to 38, in the quarter, along with a 42 rating for the future outlook. A rating above 50 indicates a positive outlook for auto sales. Independent dealers signaled even more caution with a 35 score on the market sentiment index….