Part 4/8:
Analysis shows that the average transaction price for a new car now sits around $48,000. This sharp increase in prices contributes to an ongoing affordability crisis, where many consumers are priced out of the new vehicle market altogether. This is underscored by a staggering 83% of the American public feeling unable to participate in purchasing a new vehicle due to high costs, indicating that manufacturers might be catering primarily to a wealthier minority at the expense of the broader consumer base.