Subprime Auto Market Looking Extra Rough in 2021

The subprime auto market looks to be in poor health as the number of borrowers with outstanding loans that are more than 60 days overdue continues increasing. While the number has a tendency to rise and fall between seasons, the general trend toward indebtedness has been going up since 2015, with increasingly more customers boasting lackluster credit scores becoming incapable of footing their transportation bill.

Delinquencies skyrocketed in 2020, as government lockdowns pushed many out of work and now appear to be increasing due to a recovery plan that primarily seems to be serving cooperate interests and the wealthiest socioeconomic classes. Though it should be said that middle and lower-class families had been losing ground for decades, at least according to the latest Pew Research data. Pandemic-related complications only served to accelerate the existing financial disparities on all fronts. We are now on course for poorer people to have even less money moving forward, especially in the world’s most developed countries.

I wonder why so many people are defaulting on their car loans…

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Mahindra-Pininfarina Deal Rejected By Creditors

Mahindra’s attempt to buy Italian design firm Pininfarina collapsed over the weekend due to opposition by the latter’s creditors.

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  • ToolGuy If they really do "thin and light" I will be impressed.
  • Jeff "Honda said it would introduce seven new 0 Series vehicles by 2030, with the first models scheduled to reach the market in 2026." My take on this is the earliest these would be on the market is 2026 If then. I think Honda is going to drag their feet on this and 2030 is a more likely date. Honda is probably going to wait and see what the competition does before they do anything.
  • ToolGuy It is called a vehicle assembly plant. The parts come from all over. This part came from a supplier in Mexico, and they had a spill. There are lots of ways to mess up a part. One would think that people interested in cars would eventually pick up on this sort of thing, but I probably expect too much. Carry on.
  • ToolGuy Ok, the age isn't scary, the mileage isn't scary, but the badge is. But hang on, it has the bigger engine, no turbo, 'new' tires, the headlight doesn't scare me (I was wrong, slightly scary), bulbs and speakers I can do, new window regulator is under a hundred bucks, the transmission issue was scary but seems manageable (if it goes away when warm), AC issue intrigues me, headliner is easy (if what I'm thinking). I'm at $1,800 and will probably regret it but there it is.
  • 28-Cars-Later Artistic design that resonates with people (your styling sucks Honda, so are you holding back on us?)Automated driving and advanced driver assistance systems that ensure safety and peace of mind (no one wants this)New value of EVs as a “space” for people (wouldn't any vehicle fit this definition?)The joy of driving with the feeling of oneness with the vehicle (you should already be doing this)Outstanding electric efficiency and performance (finally something relevant)