So Far, 2018 Auto Sales Are Better Than Expected; Thank Dangerously Heavy Incentives

With the automotive market continuing to cool off, the industry went into 2018 with a less than optimistic view. Volume for the year is anticipated to continue its downward trend but, incredibly, January appears to be on par with the same period last year — if not slightly better.

Did the analysts get it wrong? Probably not. Incentive spending was up across the board and that’ll likely be the case throughout the rest of the year. The real trick will be for automakers to keep their lineups appealing without going wild with discounts. That’s because the annual forecast still calls for lower volume than in 2017.

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  • THX1136 It's good knowing a purchase decision was well made. Glad to hear it's been a good car for you, Corey! May the good times continue to roll.
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X I like bright red, like Ford's "Race Red" with black accents/trim on hot hatches. A distant second would be a lighter school bus yellow, like on a 90s Land Rover Discovery Camel Trophy edition.
  • KOKing The color has to look right on the car first and foremost, but given the choice, I'll pick the not-bland color every time.
  • Redapple2 Like the color but would never buy. Gladiator? Love them. (but some say they drive super wonky?)
  • Redapple2 Note to layman. Lifts change the resting angles of suspension components. Then add full length of travel in the duty cycle and now you are repeatedly doing things to the suspension was never design for. Failures are very common and fatal. Do it only if you are stupid.