US light-vehicle leasing riding high

Vehicle leasing as a percentage of monthly light-vehicle sales hit a record in February, representing nearly one-third of retail volume according to figures from J. D. Power, which says this is helping to keep down the average monthly auto payment.

J.D. Power estimates 32.3% of the 1.03 million cars and light trucks booked as sold by auto makers were financed via a lease agreement. That percentage was substantially higher than the 28% average for leasing set over the course of 2015, which was a record year for both leasing volume and light-vehicle sales. In January, 31.6% of retail vehicle sales were leases.