Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian joined me at the Auto Finance Summit in Las Vegas last week and highlighted her recent report: Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q2 2025. Buyers are going old-school with cold hard cash. 67% of used vehicle deals closed all-cash in Q2, thanks to sky-high affordability hurdles. But don't hit the panic button, credit scores are skyrocketing, showing consumers are still nailing that money game amid economic speed bumps. EVs took a slight detour, dipping below 9% market share. The fix? Leasing's the hero here, dishing out low payments that make going electric like a joyride steal.

New car payments are soaring to approximately $770 a month, fueled by tariffs and beefier loans. Meanwhile, the used market's owning the track with 40 million transactions (vs. just 12 million new). But there's good news from the lender lane: Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are dropping smartly to around 90% for top players, new and used alike. And EVs? Lenders are ditching the doubt on residuals and batteries, finally cruising with some confidence. Don't miss this episode for everything you need to know about the current state of the automotive finance market!

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Experian Automotive's exclusive quarterly report on the latest trends and analysis of the U.S. automotive finance market, presented by Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian.

Gain insights into:

• New and used financing
• Lender market share shifts
• Credit scores and risk distribution
• Changes to loan amounts, terms, rates, and payments

Download here

https://www.experian.com/automotive/auto-credit-webinar-form

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Check out Experian's EV Resource Page for all things electric vehicle data

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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here

https://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone

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Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Comedian Blake Wexler joins the show today as Tesla unveils a no-frills Model Y that's cheaper than a fake Labubu but roasted harder than a cup of overcooked ramen. Elon asks, "does your mom have a question?" on X and Aubrey Strobel's mom scores a SpaceX launch invite—hmm, was it waste of a Q&A? OpenAI's Sora 2 unleashes physics-perfect deepfake video creation. From Bob Ross painting a Cybertruck to Tupac chatting up Mr. Rogers, the lines are now even blurrier between what's real and what's not. And finally, Tesla's Optimus appeared out of nowhere last week and drop-kicked the world with some Kung Fu flair before narrating a vote-hype video for the Nov 6th shareholder bash, dangling a trillion-dollar CEO carrot for Elon. Reality is stranger than fiction but hey, I'm here for it!

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Blake Wexler is a New York-based comedian who started doing stand-up at the age of 15 as a high school student in Philadelphia. In addition to writing for and appearing on Comedy Central & ABC, Blake also has been a featured performer in (too) many comedy festivals and can be regularly heard on The Cracked, Daily Zeitgeist & The Todd Glass Show podcasts. He is also the host of the gameshow LIES! for the Philadelphia Eagles. All four of Blake’s critically acclaimed stand-up comedy records debuted at #1 on the iTunes & Amazon comedy charts, and his album 12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass to Blake Wexler charted on Billboard.

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Follow Blake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakewexler

https://x.com/blakewexler

Website: https://www.blakewexler.com/

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Tour Dates!

​October 24-25: Wits End Comedy Club w/ Cy Amundson – Charleston, SC.

November 7: The Hideout – Boston, MA.

December 7: Lincoln Lodge – Chicago, IL.

January 16: Littlefield – Brooklyn, NY

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This episode is sponsored by The Merlin Group, your go-to partner for B2B success. We help companies tackle complex challenges quickly by connecting you with hard-to-reach decision makers, accessing exclusive resources, and boosting demand like nobody else. Our mission? To make your business growth simple by linking you with the key players who can take it to the next level. Learn more here: https://www.themerlingroup.co/

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Tesla's most "affordable vehicle" yet? Nah. I scoured the internet this afternoon for everything you need to know about the brand new Model Y Standard and Model 3 Standard announcement. I gotta be honest, I feel a bit let down with this one. Tune in to hear why. BBQ ribs not included : )

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Tell me what's on your mind! Email me at elena@evs4everyone.com

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Holy Q3 Batman. According to Automotive News, EVs floored it with a 21% sales surge to 410,000 units, snagging 10% market share last quarter. Buyers dashed like caffeinated squirrels to hoard $7,500 tax credits before Uncle Sam yanked the cord. Meanwhile, Tesla's still the boss with 463,000 global deliveries, but growth seems to be idling like a Cybertruck in traffic. Enter GM's glow-up: 66,000 EVs sold—double last year—with the Equinox EV dethroning all non-Tesla vehicles. Ford's Mustang Mach-E revved up 50% to 20,000 sales and Rivian's cranking deliveries toward 15,000 vehicles, though tariff threats from China and expired tax credits might zap the momentum. But hold the phone. Dealers and execs braced for a sales cliff, but here's the plot twist: GM and Ford are flipping the script with slick leasing programs that stretch the credit's life. Their financing arms are fronting down payments on EVs to snag the $7,500 subsidy upfront, then passing the savings to lessees through lower monthly rates – keeping the party going for months. Ford's aiming to hold competitive leases via Ford Credit through December 31, while GM Financial is doing the same, buying vehicles in bulk to qualify before matching them with customers. It's a loophole love letter to EV adoption, potentially softening the post-credit hangover.

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Today's guest outro is "Surprise Me" by Zach Zimmerman

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3J60D-JPSM

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Automotive News "GM sets record for EVs in Q3 as total U.S. sales rise 8%"

"GM, Ford work around EV tax credit expiration with Q4 lease programs"

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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The $7,500 federal EV tax credit is about to get the Avengers: Endgame snap—today's your panic-buying buzzer-beater day before it goes away for good. Did you lock it in? Oh, and have you seen used EV prices lately? Wow. Insane. Also, let's talk about the EY analysis which highlighted China's aggressive EV adoption, with plug-in hybrids and new energy vehicles (NEVs) expected to reach 50% of sales this year and potentially over 90% by 2034. In contrast, the United States is lagging behind, (are we even surprised though?) with BEV adoption pushed to 2039, five years later than initial projections. P.S. How are you? It's been a minute since the last voice memo.

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Intro by @adminearth and EY press release, "China races ahead in EV transition as Europe recalibrates and US stalls"

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Are you organizing a "frunk or treat" at your dealership? Email me at elena@evs4everyone.com and let's do an episode!

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Kirsten Von Busch, Director of Product Marketing at Experian is back on the show today to talk all things EV consumer trends (and a few other fun side quests). In Q2 2025, EV sales took a tiny dip but held steady overall, with SUVs stealing the show at 69% of new registrations. Tesla's still the king of the EV castle with a 46% market share, but Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, and Honda are heating up the competition. Listen til the end when Kirsten and I play a quick game of "What Do You Meme?"—pairing EV data with familiar memes. With a jolt of humor and a whole lot of data, this is your unofficial study guide for everything you need to know about EVs (through June 30, 2025).

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What Do You Meme? Vlog on LinkedIn here

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Q2 2025 Automotive Consumer Trends Report

What electric vehicles (EVs) are on the road and who is buying them?

Vehicles in Operation overview and Consumer Analysis by fuel type for U.S. light duty vehicles through June 30, 2025.

Download here

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Check out Experian's EV Resource Page for all things electric vehicle data

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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here

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Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn or send her an email: kirsten.vonbusch@experian.com

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Detroit based stand-up comedian, Joel Sankey joins the show to humorously explore the eccentric world of EVs, delivering laughs and sharp commentary. He muses on whether Batman would swap his legendary Batmobile for Mahindra's BE 6 Batman Edition, which features "Bat Signal" puddle lights and custom engine sounds, available to just 300 fortunate buyers. We also poke fun at the ridiculousness of a Dodge Charger EV driver receiving a ticket for a non-existent loud exhaust. Then the conversation shifts to Tesla's Optimus robot, comparing its unsettling hands to a scene from a sci-fi film and discussing whether or not "getting a Coke in SalesForce's kitchen" is the beginning of the end of the human race. Finally, Joel examines Car and Driver's list of upcoming EVs, speculating which might actually hit the roads and when he can put his order in for the Mercedes Luxury Van (2026). Need a laugh today? We gotchu.

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Mahindra's BE 6 Batman EV

A Dodge Charger EV Driver Got a Ticket for a Loud Exhaust

Tesla's Optimus Robot

Car and Driver article

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This episode is sponsored by The Merlin Group, your go-to partner for B2B success. We help companies tackle complex challenges quickly by connecting you with hard-to-reach decision makers, accessing exclusive resources, and boosting demand like nobody else. Our mission? To make your business growth simple by linking you with the key players who can take it to the next level. Learn more here: https://www.themerlingroup.co/

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Follow Joel on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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It's fall y'all, let's get into it! BYD, the Chinese EV giant, faces its first consecutive production drop since 2020, signaling a market shift despite strong global sales. Nissan’s ambitious EV rollout hits a snag, leaving their next-gen models in limbo as they navigate fierce competition. Friendly Chevrolet in Dallas unveils a game-changing EV charging hub, offering fast chargers and a comfy vibe for all EV drivers. And finally, Costco and Volvo are breaking the mold with a nation-wide discount on certain certified pre-owned vehicles, including the Volvo EX30 and EX90 EVs.

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Pringles are the superior chip // Grock Warren

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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