Cox Automotive Forecasts New-Vehicle Sales at 15.8 Million, Down From 2025 as Market Fragmentation Slows Growth

Cox Automotive today released its 2026 automotive industry outlook, projecting new-vehicle sales in the U.S. to hit 15.8 million units in 2026, down 2.4% from 2025 levels. Most forecasted metrics for the automotive market, according to Cox Automotive, are expected to be lower than in 2025, a year that outperformed most expectations.