September By The Numbers
This is the official intelligence briefing for TheLoganZone insiders. Below is the most critical, data-driven analysis from a month that saw the automotive market reach a definitive breaking point.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) – The Inflation Frontline
| Metric | Index Value (Aug) | MoM Change | YoY Change | Significance |
| New Vehicles | 178.111 | ▲+0.3% | ▲+0.7% | Inflation continues to cool but persists, adding to affordability pressures. |
| Used Cars & Trucks | 185.322 | ▲+1.0% | ▲+6.0% | A surprising and sharp monthly increase, squeezing consumer budgets. |
| Motor Vehicle Insurance | 894.075 | ▼-0.2% | ▲+4.7% | A slight monthly dip offers no real relief from significant annual cost increases. |
| Maintenance & Repairs | 441.987 | ▲+2.4% | ▲+8.5% | A massive surge in service costs, making older vehicles more expensive to own. |
U.S. Auto Sales – The Demand Signal
| Metric | August 2025 | vs. July 2025 | vs. Aug 2024 | Analyst Outlook |
| SAAR | 16.1 Million | ▼1.8% | ▲6.2% | Resilient but Cooling: The headline number is strong, but the monthly decline signals weakening demand. |
| Total Sales Volume | 1.45 Million | ▲5.8% | ▲2.9% | Strong: Volume remains robust, but this is a lagging indicator of market health. |
| New Vehicle Days’ Supply | 73 Days | ▼8.75% | ▼5.2% | Tightening: Inventory is shrinking, giving dealers more pricing power. |
Wholesale & Inventory Data – The Industry’s Core
| Metric | Current Value | MoM Change | YoY Change | Significance |
| Used Wholesale Values (MUVVI) | 207.4 | ▬0.0% | ▲1.7% | High Plateau: Wholesale prices are not falling, meaning no cost relief is coming for dealers or consumers. |
| PPI: Steel Mill Products | 311.333 | ▲1.5% | ▲13.1% | Inflation Pipeline: A huge jump in raw material costs signals future price hikes for new cars. |
| New Vehicle Inventory | 2.76 Million | ▲3.0% | – | Inventory is slowly optimizing, but remains below historical norms. |
| Used Vehicle Inventory | 2.21 Million | ▲2.3% | – | A slight increase, but the market is still defined by a shortage of quality used cars. |
| Used <$15k Days’ Supply | 29 Days | ▼6.5% | – | Critical Shortage: The affordable end of the market is evaporating, hurting the most vulnerable buyers. |
Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Josh Logan provides data-driven analysis from the unique perspective of a seasoned automotive professional. His goal is to empower consumers with insider knowledge to navigate the complexities of the modern car market.
The Key Takeaway
September was the month the theoretical “Great Squeeze“ became a tangible market event. From persistent inflation revealed in the CPI to the shocking implosion of CarMax, the data confirms the consumer has reached a financial breaking point. This is no longer a forecast; it’s a reality reflected in corporate earnings, global sales trends, and the immense pressure on American households. The warning signs are no longer on the horizon; they are here.
This Month’s Core Briefings
- Recalls by the Numbers: Ford’s Crisis Worsens with 1.4M Vehicles Recalled in August Alone
- BREAKING ANALYSIS: U.S. Auto Sales Defy Tight Inventory, Remain Strong at 16.1 Million Pace in August
- Selling Your Car Privately: A Pro’s Guide to Dodging Scammers and Maximizing Your Profit
- A Deceptive Calm: Used Car Prices Hold Steady in August, But a Rental Fleet Surge is Propping Up the New Car Market
- BREAKING ANALYSIS: PPI Report Shocks with a Drop, But Key Auto Costs Tell a Different Story
- BREAKING ANALYSIS: CPI Report Reveals a Perfect Storm as Car Ownership Costs Surge
- In Turbulent Times, Rediscover the Sunday Drive: An Insider’s Guide to Finding Peace on the Open Road
- A Tale of Two Inventories: A Deep Dive into the Auto Market’s Strategic Shift
- Decoding the Monroney: The Secrets Hidden on Your Car’s Window Sticker
- How to Help Your Car Last 200,000 Miles: A Professional’s Guide to Weathering the Storm
- Beyond the Sticker: A Data-Driven Analysis of the “Market Adjustment” Crisis
- BREAKING ANALYSIS: Europe’s Great Powertrain Divide Deepens as Hybrids Solidify Dominance
- BREAKING ANALYSIS: CarMax Implodes – A 20% Stock Plunge Signals a Used Car Market on the Brink
- The 84-Month Loan: A Dangerous Dance with Debt
Announcing: “Confessions of an Insider”
A New Way to Get the Inside Edge
This month, we are proud to launch our new weekly podcast, the perfect companion to the Insider Report. The mission of “Confessions of an Insider” is to connect the dots between our data reports in a weekly audio format, providing the context and commentary you need to navigate this turbulent market.
- Listen to the premiere episode here: The CarMax Implosion & The Great Squeeze
- Follow and Listen on Spotify here: Confessions of an Insider
Looking Ahead to October
The fallout from September will define the narrative for the weeks to come. We are closely monitoring the official September U.S. auto sales data for signs of further demand destruction. We will also be turning our attention to the start of Q3 corporate earnings season, watching for more signs of distress across the industry, and preparing a deep dive into the increasingly fragile auto lending market.
Thank you for your time and for being a LoganZone Insider. In this market, data is your only defense.
Stay sharp,
Josh Logan
I appreciate you reading this, and encourage you to engage with me in the comments and on social media. You can get the latest automotive updates as soon as they are published by subscribing above. Thanks for the support, and until next time!
TheLoganZone 
Leave a comment