On the Dash: July car-buying ease held at 81%, well below last year’s 86% mark, according to CDK Global. Price negotiations and trade-in values dropped, driving most of the friction. Rising loan payments and negative equity are straining affordability industry-wide. The car-buying process isn’t getting easier. Only 81% of buyers described the process as easy in July, according to CDK Global’s monthly Ease of Purchase Scorecard. That’s nearly flat from 80% last month and well below July 2025’s 86% and the full-year 2025 average of 84%. Additionally, inventory played a role in the slow month, with 58% of buyers finding the vehicle they wanted in stock, but only 73% said…
