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Live from the Washington, DC Auto Show at Public Policy Day 2026, Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier sit down with Erin Keating, Executive Analyst at Cox Automotive, to challenge one of the most repeated headlines in the industry: the $50,000 new car. Keating breaks down why average transaction price is often misunderstood, how it reflects buying behavior rather than availability, and why affordability isn’t as broken as many believe. With data from Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive, she explains what’s actually happening on dealer lots—and why there are still plenty of vehicles under $35,000 moving at scale.

The conversation goes deeper into the downstream effects of affordability on the used market, including a major shift that’s just beginning: used EVs as the next affordable alternative. Keating explains why battery degradation fears haven’t materialized, how data from Manheim auctions is changing consumer confidence, and why dealers who invested early in EV education are now ahead of the curve. While consumer sentiment remains cautious, the data tells a calmer story—one where choice still exists, technology is improving, and the sky isn’t falling if you know how to read the numbers.

0:00 – Live From the DC Auto Show at Public Policy Day 2026

0:47 – Why the $50,000 Average Price Is Misunderstood

1:52 – Average Transaction Price vs What’s Actually on Dealer Lots

2:18 – Why Affordable Vehicles Are Still Selling at Scale

3:05 – How Affordability Is Changing Used-Car Buying Behavior

3:33 – Used Vehicle Supply Is Finally Starting to Recover

4:10 – Why Used EVs May Become the Next Affordable Option

4:58 – Dealers Who Leaned Into EVs Are Now Ahead

5:35 – Why Consumer Sentiment Feels Worse Than Reality

6:08 – Battery Degradation Fears Didn’t Come True

6:35 – What EV Battery Health Data Is Actually Showing

7:19 – Why EVs Are Just Another Powertrain Now

Connect with Erin Keating at https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinfkeating/

Learn more about Cox Auto at https://www.coxautoinc.com/

Public Policy Day 2026 is brought to you by Saferide. Learn more at Saferide.ai: https://www.saferide.ai/

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