The author’s old college economics professor had an expression about the car business and the national economy. He called it the best barometer for a recession. He may turn out to be right again.
It's true: the best barometer as to how people feel about the economy going into the future is new car sales.
Whenever you see 0% or very low-interest rate financing, manufacturing dealer networks are seeing downturns in foot traffic into dealerships and sales are declining.
It's always been a great barometer. I follow it, and I'm following it now as I keep my old vehicle maintained and in good running condition waiting for car prices to finally start falling. I'll keep waiting, there's more to come.