On the Dash: August new-vehicle sales remained solid, with the 16.8 million-unit SAAR running ahead of the full-year 2026 forecast. Hybrid demand continues to strengthen as BEV share falls, giving dealers a larger pool of customers seeking electrified vehicles without going fully electric. Affordability remains a challenge, with average monthly payments reaching a record $812 despite largely unchanged borrowing costs. According to the latest NADA Market Beat forecast, new-vehicle sales remained solid in August, with the industry posting a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.8 million units. The pace was up 1.5% from a year earlier and remained ahead of expectations for 2026. Raw sales reached 1.38 million units,…
