Used-vehicle retail sales rose 3.4% in October according to Cox Automotive, marking a stronger performance than the new-vehicle market during the same period. The uptick signals continued momentum in the used-car segment as dealers, lenders, and consumers navigate shifting affordability and supply conditions. For deeper analysis of how this trend could shape the next year, stakeholders are being directed to the Cox Automotive Industry Insights and 2026 Forecast Call, where executives plan to connect October’s results with broader market expectations.
October Sales Breakdown
Retail sales of used vehicles increased by a precise 3.4% in October, a gain that Cox Automotive tracks as a clear month-over-month improvement in store and online activity. Reporting on the latest data, coverage of “Used-Vehicle Retail Sales Up 3.4% in October” notes that the rise reflects stronger consumer follow-through on purchases rather than just higher showroom traffic, indicating that buyers are finding price points and financing terms they can accept. For retailers, a move of this size in a single month can materially affect inventory turn, gross margins, and staffing decisions as they plan for the final weeks of the year.
Compared with prior months, the October performance stands out as a reversal of the softer volumes that had tempered expectations earlier in the quarter, with the 3.4% gain outpacing what many analysts had projected for the used segment. The sales data release, which was published on November 17, 2025, is being treated as a timely snapshot of end-of-year patterns, giving dealer groups and independent stores a near real-time view of how quickly demand is firming. Because the figures arrive just as holiday promotions and model-year clearance events ramp up, they provide a critical benchmark for how aggressively retailers might price popular used models such as 2021 compact SUVs or 2022 full-size pickups relative to new-vehicle incentives.
Performance Against New-Vehicle Market
Cox Automotive’s analysis of October activity, detailed in its report on “Used-Vehicle Retail Sales Up 3.4% in October, Outpacing New Market”, underscores that the used-vehicle sector outperformed new-vehicle sales growth during the month. While the report focuses on the 3.4% increase in used retail volume, it also highlights that comparable gains in the new-vehicle market lagged behind, signaling a divergence in how consumers are allocating their budgets. For automakers and franchised dealers, that gap can influence everything from fleet allocation to how aggressively they promote certified pre-owned inventory alongside new models like current-year midsize sedans or crossovers.
The same analysis, released on November 14, 2025, points to several reasons why used vehicles are gaining traction over new ones in the current economic context, including persistent affordability concerns and tighter household budgets. As monthly payments on new vehicles remain elevated, more buyers are shifting to late-model used options that still offer advanced safety and connectivity features but at lower transaction prices, which in turn boosts used-vehicle market share relative to new. Dealers that can balance both sides of the business, for example by steering payment-sensitive shoppers toward certified 2022 or 2023 vehicles instead of brand-new units, are better positioned to capture demand and protect profitability as the split between used and new segments widens.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Attention is now turning to how October’s 3.4% rise in used-vehicle retail sales will shape expectations for 2026, with Cox Automotive inviting industry participants to its “Cox Automotive Industry Insights and 2026 Forecast Call”. The event, set for November 17, 2025, is framed as a platform to connect the latest monthly data with updated forecasts on inventory, pricing, and consumer credit conditions. Because the used segment has just outpaced the new-vehicle market, analysts are expected to examine whether this momentum signals a sustained shift in buyer preference or a shorter-term reaction to current financing and income pressures.
Potential changes from previous forecasts will likely center on whether the October gain represents the start of a more durable trend in used-vehicle demand, particularly if similar growth persists into early 2026. For stakeholders such as dealer principals, captive and non-captive lenders, and fleet remarketers, attending the forecast call offers access to data-driven strategies on stocking levels, acquisition channels, and digital retail investments that align with the latest performance metrics. If the 3.4% October increase proves to be an early indicator of continued strength, those who adjust their sourcing and pricing models now may be better equipped to capture market share as the balance between used and new vehicles continues to evolve.