On the Dash: Used-vehicle demand rose 2.3% year over year in August, extending a steady growth trend. New inventory fell to its lowest level of 2026 as consumer interest continues to favor more affordable vehicles. Improving supplies of two- and three-year-old used vehicles could give dealers more off-lease inventory to work with. According to the latest CarGurus Intelligence Report, new-vehicle inventory carried an unusual mix in August, with next-year models making up just 12.4% of stock, well below the 22.1% to 25.2% range recorded from 2023 through 2025. The shift emerged as new-vehicle demand kept softening and used-vehicle demand extended its yearlong run of steady growth. New-vehicle sales fell nearly…
