Steven Van Metre: 50% Delinquency Spike Ignites Fears of 2008 Meltdown

For years, the auto loan industry was considered a pillar of stability—a safe bet for lenders and a necessary tool for consumers. That stability is now officially shattered. A detailed and urgent analysis of the U.S. auto market reveals a crisis escalating rapidly, fueled by surging car prices, unsustainable loan terms, and high interest rates. This alarming situation bears uncomfortable resemblances to the 2008 subprime mortgage meltdown, but this time, the crisis centers around car keys and repossessed vehicles, not homes. It is no longer a remote headline; it is an imminent threat to local banks, consumer stability, and the overall U.S….