On the Dash: July is on track to deliver the strongest sales pace of 2026, signaling resilient consumer demand. Pent-up demand, rather than policy incentives, is driving today’s showroom traffic. Dealers serving affluent buyers may continue to outperform if financial markets remain strong. According to Cox Automotive’s latest forecast, the agency projects that July’s Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) will reach 16.7 million, up slightly from June’s 16.5 million pace, marking the strongest monthly pace of 2026. The forecast also notes that sales volume in July is expected to increase 1.2% month over month. July includes 26 selling days, one more than June and the same as July 2025. The…
