Issue calendar
The Clairmont Automotive Report
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Issue calendar
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In this issue
Each item is a short take. Open a story for the full summary, sources and any chart.
Kia set another sales record, public dealers leaned more on service, CarMax paired lending growth with protection plans, and banks raised credit-score floors.
Auto industry
Kia posts another record month
Kia set another U.S. October record as hybrids more than doubled. Hyundai also reported higher U.S. sales, according to Reuters.
Read the full summary →Schaeffler trims 3,460 European jobs
Schaeffler plans European job cuts and site closures to reduce costs. The announcement does not establish a current parts shortage.
Read the full summary →BMW brings Level 2 assist to city streets
BMW plans urban Level 2 assistance in Germany from 2027. Drivers must stay attentive; this is not driverless operation.
Read the full summary →Audi Georgia plant could nearly double
Audi's Georgia plant could gain a second phase, according to state and local records. The added capacity is not yet committed.
Read the full summary →Public dealers lean harder on service
Parts and service supplied 54% of public dealer groups' gross profit as new-vehicle gross per unit and operating margins softened.
Read the full summary →F&I
CarMax pushes into Tier 2, revamps MaxCare and GAP
CarMax plans more Tier 2 lending and a revised MaxCare and GAP lineup. Its income targets are goals, not gains already delivered.
Read the full summary →Banks raise credit-score floors as auto demand slips
Banks raised minimum auto credit scores despite little net change in overall standards. Reported auto-loan demand weakened again.
Read the full summary →Auto debt nears $1.7 trillion as late payments ease
Auto debt grew and overall serious late payments eased, but Equifax sees slightly worse early performance in a newer loan cohort.
Read the full summary →