New-Vehicle Sales Poised for a Slower Start and a More Subdued 2026
January 2026 new-vehicle sales are expected to start the year slower than both January last year and December, with SAAR forecast at about 15.3 million, down from 15.5 million a year ago and December’s revised 16.1 million. While year-over-year sales volume is projected to rise 3.2%, the increase is largely due to an extra selling day rather than stronger demand. Month-over-month sales are expected to drop sharply, a typical seasonal pattern for January.
Market softness from late 2025 is carrying into early 2026, driven by the expiration of EV tax credits, high vehicle prices, and ongoing economic uncertainty. Severe winter weather in January is also likely to suppress dealership traffic. Some short-term relief may come from tax refund season, as larger-than-usual refunds could encourage delayed purchases.
Looking ahead, Cox Automotive forecasts 2026 new-vehicle sales to decline to 15.8 million units from an estimated 16.3 million in 2025, reflecting slower economic growth, weaker job creation, and reduced incentives, pointing to a more subdued auto market overall.
Why Rising IRS Mileage Rates Are Forcing Fleet Managers to Rethink Reimbursement
The IRS standard mileage rate has risen sharply—reaching 72.5 cents per mile in 2026, nearly 30% higher than in 2021—reflecting increasing vehicle ownership and operating costs rather than fuel prices alone. Key drivers include higher maintenance and repair costs, elevated vehicle acquisition prices due to advanced technology, rising insurance premiums, longer repair cycles, and added complexity from electric vehicles.
WEX Launches Unified Fuel and EV Charging Card for Mixed-Energy Fleets
WEX has introduced an upgraded WEX Fleet card with built-in EV payment capabilities, allowing mixed-energy fleets to pay for both gasoline and public EV charging with a single card, account, and invoice. The solution integrates fueling and EV charging across WEX’s closed-loop network, enabling access to more than 90% of U.S. gas stations and over 175,000 public charging ports.