Providers and Administrators in blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Experian: Auto Loan Balances Grow at Fastest Rate Since 2006

August 14, 2015
2 min to read


SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The total dollar volume for outstanding automotive loan balances grew by $92 million from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, according to Experian Automotive’s latest State of the Automotive Finance Market report. It was the largest dollar volume growth since 2006.


Findings from the report showed that total loan balances also reached a record-high $932 billion in the second quarter of 2015, up from $840 billion in the second quarter of 2014.

Ad Loading...


In addition to rapid growth and record-setting dollar volumes, the automotive loan market showed increased stability, as consumers continued to make timely payments. In the second quarter of 2015, the 30-day delinquency rate dropped to the lowest level for a second quarter period in the past five years at 2.32%, down from 2.37% in the second quarter of 2014. The 60-day delinquency rate was up, but only slightly, from 0.603% in the second quarter of 2014 to 0.607% in the second quarter of 2015.


“The automotive loan market is working the way it’s supposed to, with loans being made, vehicles purchased and payments made on time,” said Melinda Zabritski, Experian’s senior director of automotive finance. “The automotive loan market is gaining momentum while maintaining remarkable stability. It’s a good sign for the economy overall.”


Lenders maintained a balanced strategy in the second quarter of 2015. Subprime loans and deep-subprime loans grew as a share of the market but were balanced out by growth of the super-prime risk tier. The combined 20.02% share for subprime and deep subprime was up slightly from 19.92% in the second quarter of 2015. Super prime grew from 20.68% share in the second quarter of 2014 to 20.99% share in the second quarter of 2015.


“Overall, lenders are taking a balanced approach to their portfolios, with slight growth in subprime and deep subprime balanced by the uptick in loans to the super-prime risk tier,” Zabritski continued. “There really is nothing alarming about the growth seen in subprime loans, provided consumers continue to make timely payments.”


On a state-by-state level, the highest delinquency rates were found primarily in the South, while the states with the lowest rates typically were found in the Midwest and the Northwest.

More Industry

Line graphic showing week-over-week wholesale auto price changes
Industryby StaffApril 22, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Wholesale auto conversion rates dropped slightly as auction buyers proved picky last week, analysts observed.

Read More →
pavement with car and charger wrapped around it painted on
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 16, 2026

EV Battery Cycle Life at Risk

Fast charging of electric vehicles provides a solution for range anxiety, but it also poses a risk to battery cycle life due to increased temperatures, according to an EV supply chain data provider.

Read More →
Photo of exterior facade of Beardmore Chevrolet store
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 14, 2026

Founding Family Sells Nebraska Dealerships

Expanding Midwest automotive group picks up three stores as part of the robust transaction activity early this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Up-close photo of car battery
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Automaker Increases Parts Recycling

Stellantis is adding a third end-of-life vehicle dismantling facility to feed its growing reuse business sparked in large part by autos’ growing lifespans.

Read More →
Photo of white 2026 Ford Bronco on a sandy beach
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

March New-Vehicle Sales Don’t Reflect War

Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.

Read More →
Photo from the rear of the XC60 SUV
IndustryApril 8, 2026

Volvo to Shift Some EV Production to U.S.

The automaker says its movement of some electric-vehicle work to the S.C. factory is part of a more tailored product focus. It also plans to add a new hybrid model to the plant’s itinerary.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bar graphic depicting week-over-week change across the various vehicle segments
Industryby StaffApril 7, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Last week's wholesale automotive auction activity continued in a healthy mode, though buyers practiced selectivity.

Read More →
red car at a gas station being filled with gas. Efficiency Drives Demand. Providers and Administrators logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 7, 2026

Gas Prices Driving Consumer Interest

CarGurus’ first quarterly review of 2026 shows that affordability concerns are continuing to drive consumer purchases with a shift to more fuel-efficient options.

Read More →
Blurred photo of red car moving down a road
Industryby Hannah MitchellMarch 31, 2026

Automakers Have More Tricks Up Their Sleeves

JD Power analysts see auto retail faring this year’s storms well through various means, though it acknowledges conditions are challenging to accurately predict.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
background view of Washington D.C. with the capitol building and cherry trees. Text says 'What's the Cost?' with two diverging arrows and the Providers and Administrator's logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 31, 2026

Insurance Rates Continue to Fall

Car insurance premiums have continued to decline so far this year, the overall national average settling at $138 per month in March, according to Insurify data.

Read More →