As the auto industry barrels toward year-end, the car buying landscape is shifting faster than most consumers or dealers can keep up. With tariffs threatening to reprice the entire market, record-high loan delinquencies, and millions of off-lease EVs about to flood used-car lots, Q425 is shaping up to be one of the most volatile and consequential periods the industry has seen in years. At the center of it all is CarEdge CEO Zach Shefska, a nationally-regarded automotive analyst and consumer advocate available to decode the data behind the headlines—revealing how rising financing terms, new tariffs, and shifting depreciation trends will impact affordability, trade-in values, and household budgets through the close of the year and into 2026.
For media looking to unpack the real-world implications of these seismic market forces, Shefska offers grounded, data-driven insight into what’s next for buyers, dealers, and the broader automotive economy. Topics like:
The Used EV Time Bomb: Decoding the Two Million Off-Lease Wave
Up to 2 million leased EVs from the 2022–2023 surge are about to flood the used car market as price cuts and expiring tax credits create major depreciation swings. Shefska can help consumers identify true bargains versus risky purchases, explaining how to assess battery health, residual value, and warranty exposure before buying a used EV.
The Tariff Tax: Why New Auto Tariffs Are Inflating Your Used-Car Price
New tariffs on imported cars and parts are expected to push new car prices up by thousands, sending even more buyers into an already tight used market. Shefska can explain how this “tariff trade-down effect” reshapes supply, which segments will see the biggest jumps, and how shoppers can time purchases to minimize costs.
The Finance Trap: Why 84-Month Loans Are the New Dealership Profit Engine
Ultra-long car loans have become the industry’s profit center as dealerships rely on finance and insurance products rather than vehicle margins. Shefska can break down how extended terms, add-ons, and hidden fees quietly cost consumers thousands—and offer step-by-step advice on structuring smarter financing.
Dealer Sentiment vs. Consumer Pain: The Profit Paradox of 2025
Even as buyers struggle with affordability, dealer sentiment and profitability remain high thanks to service, parts, and financing revenues. Shefska can highlight where dealerships really make money and share negotiation tactics that help consumers turn market conditions to their advantage.
When automakers pull back on EVs: GM’s $1.6B charge and the hidden signals for consumers and used EV markets
GM’s recent write-downs and strategy reset raise big questions about EV demand, corporate direction, and downstream market effects. Shefska can comment on how that ripple will affect used-EV pricing, resale risk, and buyer confidence.
From Sticker Shock to Value Shock: 2025 Depreciation Forecasts and the New Used-Car Reality
After years of inflated MSRPs and volatile trade-in values, depreciation trends are shifting across segments. Shefska can reveal which models will lose value fastest, how tariffs and finance conditions accelerate depreciation, and strategies for buyers to preserve long-term vehicle equity.
Auto Affordability Under Pressure: Rising Delinquencies and Consumer Risk
Subprime auto delinquencies are at their highest in years, signaling growing financial strain among buyers. Shefska can analyze how this impacts used car pricing, credit availability, and what consumers should know before taking on new debt in an unstable market.
Tariff Shock in the Auto Sector: How Import Taxes Reprice the Entire Market
Rising import tariffs could increase costs across all new and used vehicles, creating a pricing ripple that affects both manufacturers and buyers. Shefska can provide insight into which brands are most exposed and how these changes will alter consumer buying behavior.
The Chip Glut Paradox: Oversupply Meets Feature Inflation
After years of shortage, automakers now face a chip surplus that’s reshaping manufacturing and repair economics. Shefska can comment on how this impacts vehicle reliability, parts availability, and data-driven maintenance forecasting for both new and used vehicles.
The Great Hybrid Resurgence: When EV Sales Stall and Transitional Tech Takes the Wheel
With slowing EV adoption and automakers doubling down on hybrids, buyers face new decisions about long-term value and fuel economy. Shefska can discuss which hybrid models are proving the best investments and how evolving tax policy and resale trends are redefining the transition era.
Car Buying in the Subscription Age: Why Ownership Models Are Shifting Again
As automakers and Shefska firms explore subscription-based models for vehicles and features, consumers are rethinking what it means to “own” a car. CarEdge can explore how this affects affordability, depreciation, and long-term consumer costs compared to traditional financing or leasing.
The Service Economy Shift: How Dealers Are Monetizing Post-Sale Relationships
Dealerships are relying more heavily on service and maintenance revenues to offset slimmer vehicle margins.
Shefska can explain how this shift affects repair pricing, warranty strategy, and consumer leverage at the service desk.
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Zach Shefska is CEO of CarEdge, a leading platform—founded by father-and-son team Ray and Zach Shefska—dedicated to empowering car shoppers with free expert advice, in-depth market insights and tools to navigate every step of the car-buying journey. From researching vehicles to negotiating deals, CarEdge helps consumers save money, time and hassle. Alsop with trusted resources like the CarEdge Research Center, Vehicle Rankings and Reviews, and hundreds of guides on YouTube, CarEdge is redefining transparency and fairness in the automotive industry. Connect with Shefska at CarEdge or on social media on YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
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