Learn how alternative data enhances credit decisioning by giving lenders deeper visibility into consumer financial behavior and improving access to credit for more consumers.

We’re excited to share that Experian Automotive’s client Hamlin & Associates and Honda World have been named winners of the 2025 Automotive News / Ad Age Global Automotive Marketing Award for Best Use of Data — an honor that celebrates meaningful, measurable impact. Why this work stood out Hamlin & Associates' client, Honda World of Louisville, KY, faced a clear challenge: re-engage customers and recover declining service revenue, particularly for vehicles with open recalls. Hamlin & Associates approached the problem with a simple belief: clean, accurate data leads to better outcomes for customers and dealerships alike. They began with data hygiene, then enriched each vehicle record using Experian Automotive’s Recall VIN Verification solution. This created a precise view of who owned which vehicles, which recalls were still open, and when repairs could be completed — all essential to a smooth customer experience. A smarter, more human outreach strategy Over the course of a year, Hamlin delivered four waves of direct mail designed to cut through the noise. Each letter: Spoke directly to the customer Highlighted their specific vehicle Explained the recall in clear language Showed how easy it was to book a free repair The result was a data-driven communication plan grounded in trust and simplicity — and it worked Results that show what’s possible 26% response rate 1,953 repair orders $811,834 in service revenue Thousands of customers are now driving safer vehicles These outcomes reflect more than campaign performance. They demonstrate what happens when dealers, agencies, and data partners collaborate to guide individuals toward safer, more informed decisions. In their words John Hamlin, Hamlin & Associates:“Clean data builds trust. When we combine our hygiene process with Experian Automotive insights, dealers uncover opportunities they never knew they had.” Mike Porro, Honda World:“They keep it simple, and data-driven ‘simple’ gets done. We follow the process, train our staff, and see the results.” Looking ahead We’re proud to celebrate Hamlin & Associates and Honda World for showing what’s achievable when data, insight, and clear communication come together. Their work helps people stay safe, strengthens customer relationships, and sets a new standard for recall outreach. Congratulations to the entire team — and here’s to helping even more drivers move forward Learn more about how to enrich your first-party data with Recall VIN Verification insights!  

From the vehicles we drive to the way we purchase them, everything in the automotive industry is evolving as new technologies, shifting incentives, and changing consumer expectations continue to develop. As electrified vehicles continue to grow their presence on the road, Experian’s Automotive Market Trends Report: Q3 2025 took a deep dive into this segment and found that 5.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) and 11.7 million hybrids were in operation this quarter. Furthermore, data through the third quarter of this year found that 73.8% of EV owners returning to market replaced their EV with another EV and only 16.5% switched to a gas-powered vehicle. The significant EV loyalty among consumers signals that the ownership experience is delivering on core expectations. While some owners continued to opt for an EV because they’ve grown accustomed to certain conveniences such as charging stations at home or workplace to avoid traditional fueling and the perks of lower maintenance needs, others took advantage of the EV tax credits before they expired at the end of September. However, as these motivations shift, it will be important to monitor how the EV market unfolds over the next six months. Notably, 11.7% of gas-powered vehicle owners replaced their vehicle with a gas-hybrid vehicle this quarter, suggesting that hybrids are acting as an effective bridge toward deeper electrification. In fact, drivers may see hybrids as the ‘happy medium’ vehicle that offers improved fuel efficiency without requiring full reliance on charging infrastructure. Why this matters for the aftermarket As the majority of consumers replace their EVs with another one and some switch their gas-powered vehicle for an electrified one, these trends signal potential long-term commitment to alternative fuel segments. This is important to monitor for aftermarket professionals as the EV service volume continues to grow, requiring different parts and technician training. With consumers increasingly turning to the aftermarket for cost-effective support, professionals who adapt to diverse powertrains will be best positioned to navigate this evolving wave of post-warranty demand. To learn more about EVs and other vehicle market trends, view the full Automotive Market Trends Report: Q3 2025 presentation on demand.

Explore strategies to drive smarter acquisitions, deepen existing relationships and improve marketing efficiency.

The pickup truck market is shifting gears, and hybrids are emerging as a driving force behind the change. As more drivers prioritize fuel efficiency while still expecting towing power, hybrid models are stepping in to redefine the segment. According to Experian’s Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q3 2025, gas-hybrid and plug-in hybrid pickup trucks accounted for nearly one-in-five new light-duty trucks sold, coming in at 17.8% this quarter. This signals a major shift in a historically ICE-dominated category. Hybrids are likely gaining traction because they offer the best of both worlds. While their systems provide fuel efficiency by combining gas or diesel engines with electric motors to avoid range anxiety, they’re also meeting most towing and hauling requirements that accompany the traditional gas-powered trucks. Overall pickup truck market trends fueling hybrid growth When looking at the market from a broader perspective, there were 55.3 million light-duty trucks on U.S. roads in the third quarter of 2025, representing 20.10% of all vehicles in operation. Furthermore, as of Q3 2025, 34% of U.S. households with one-or-more vehicles also own a light-duty pickup truck, giving this segment a strong foothold in transportation options. The widespread presence underscores the pickup truck’s influence in the automotive industry as they set the pace for consumer expectations and steer market trends. The increased momentum for hybrid trucks can also help OEMs and dealers capitalize on growing their presence in an increasingly competitive space. It’s important for automotive professionals to consider aligning sales strategies with evolving buyer preference to elevate consumer engagement as this trend offers benefits today and even greater potential ahead. To learn more about pickup truck insights, view the full Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q3 2025 presentation.

Learn how offering modern employee benefits around financial wellness helps with retention and new hiring.

With the Fed initiating rate reductions, the housing market is entering a new phase. Learn what mortgage lenders must know about affordability, borrower behavior, and emerging opportunities.

Experian's 2025 housing update shows how softening credit, refinance growth and prescreen tools help lenders manage risk and capture demand.

Discover why Experian’s unified fraud prevention platform, backed by decades of data stewardship and AI innovation, is the trusted choice for enterprises seeking scalable, compliant, and transparent identity verification solutions.

In today’s showrooms, fraud doesn’t walk in wearing an obvious disguise. It looks like a “perfect” deal: Clean driver’s license Solid story Willing to sign anything … and then the payments never show up. Your team is stuck in the middle: protect the store from fraud and keep the buying experience fast and friendly. That’s exactly what Fraud Protect™ is built to do—a web-based Experian solution that helps automotive dealers quickly verify customer identities and detect fraud risk right from their CRM, on the customer’s own phone. How Fraud Protect makes identity verification quick and easy Fraud Protect is designed to slide into the process you already use, not blow it up. Here’s the actual flow. 1. Launch from your CRM The dealer starts everything from the CRM: Your team sends the customer a secure link directly from your CRM via SMS or email. The customer opens that link on their own mobile device and completes the flow on their phone. No special hardware. No juggling devices at the desk. 2. License authentication Next, the customer authenticates their driver’s license: They scan their license using their phone camera. The image is securely captured and processed in the background to ensure the license complies with standards. This kicks off document checks and helps anchor the identity to a real-world credential, without unsecured paper or digital copies, creating additional dealership risk! 3. Selfie capture for biometric match Then Fraud Protect confirms the person matches the document: The customer takes a selfie on their phone. Fraud Protect performs a biometric match between the selfie and the license image. If someone is trying to use a stolen or borrowed ID, this is where things start to fall apart for them. 4. One-time passcode (OTP) verification Fraud Protect also validates digital contact points if a heightened risk of third-party fraud is determined : A one-time passcode is sent to confirm the customer’s mobile phone number. The customer enters that OTP, proving they control those channels. Now you’ve tied a face, an ID, and real contact points together. 5. Identity verification & results into the CRM Behind the scenes, Fraud Protect: Runs the collected data through Experian’s fraud and identity analytics, including historical identity information and credit usage patterns. Identifies potential risks tied to that identity. Sends clear, easy-to-read results back into the dealer’s CRM—icons, scores and flags your team can actually act on. Dealerships never leave their system of record; they just see a clean signal on whether to proceed, step up, or take a harder look. What’s powering all this under the hood Fraud Protect sits on Experian’s proven fraud and identity stack: Precise ID® – Experian’s identity risk and fraud platform, using machine learning to detect first-party, third-party and synthetic identity fraud. Datos Insights named Experian’s First Party Fraud Scores a Silver Medalist for Best First-Party Fraud Innovation in its 2025 Impact Awards CrossCore® – Experian’s fraud and identity orchestration platform, recognized by KuppingerCole as an Overall, Product, Innovation and Market Leader in Fraud Reduction Intelligence Platforms. These aren’t just our claims. The superiority of Experian’s fraud prevention capabilities has been recognized by reputable industry experts, such as Datos Insights, Juniper Research, KuppingerCole, and others—proof that the analytics you rely on have been tested and validated outside of your four walls. What this actually means for dealers Boil it down, Fraud Protect gives you: Streamlined identity proofing : Customers complete license scan, selfie and OTP verification on their own phone via a secure link from your CRM—no clunky hardware, no awkward workflows. And it works well in-person or remote. Stronger fraud detection up front: Identity, device and contact points are tied together and evaluated using Experian’s fraud analytics, helping you spot high-risk identities before the deal advances. Simple, actionable results for your team: Instead of raw data, users see clear scores, icons and flags in the CRM, so they know when to green-light, step up verification or escalate friction. Documented protection: Creates a consistent, documented identity verification trail that helps show lenders you’ve met your obligations to appropriately verify customers—supporting a stronger fraud mitigation posture and helping reduce fraud-related charge-offs and disputes. You get more confidence in the deals you say “yes” to, and a better footing when questions come up later. When to put Fraud Protect on the table Fraud Protect is worth a serious look if you’re seeing: More ID-related issues or suspicious stories at the desk Growth in remote, digital or hybrid deals where you can’t rely on in-person cues Pressure from lenders or OEMs to tighten identity verification and fraud controls Increasing lender chargebacks or funding challenges tied to suspected fraud or identity concerns Lack of clear criteria for determining which deals to scrutinize more closely and which to fast-track Internal concern about first-party or synthetic fraud sneaking through as “good” deals In those scenarios, Fraud Protect gives you a way to upgrade your identity verification to something lenders recognize and customers are already used to from other digital experiences. Explore Fraud Protect: https://www.experian.com/automotive/fraud

Many across the industry have been waiting to learn how EV activity has changed now that the EV tax credit has been eliminated. According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q3 2025, the EV market saw a sharp uptick in transactions as many locked in these benefits before they disappeared, though it remains to be seen what the market will look like in the fourth quarter. With the EV market expanding and more models entering the lineup, shoppers also benefited from various options across a wider range of price points within their budget. Even so, many opted to lease a new EV rather than purchase it. More than 56% of consumers leased an EV in Q3 2025, up from 46.43% last year. The gap between the number of EV leases and purchases reflects several underlying factors, one of them being this option likely offered lower upfront costs and monthly payments. For instance, the average monthly payment for a lease was $172 lower than a loan for an EV in Q3 2025. Where EV performance stands in the broader market When looking at the data from a larger perspective, EVs made up 25.31% of the total new lease market, compared to 17.69% a year ago. The alternative fuel type also comprised four of the top ten leased models, with Tesla Model Y (4.35%) and Tesla Model 3 (2.58%) as the top two. They were followed by the Honda Prologue (1.78%) as the fifth most leased model and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (1.49%) as the ninth. EVs making up nearly half of the top ten leased models in the overall market underscores how quickly consumer preferences can shift and how incentives play a role in purchasing behavior. Consumers’ comfort with EV technology continuing to grow paired with the steady expansion of compelling models across segments also highlights the momentum that is being brought to the overall automotive industry. As the market continues to move forward, the interplay of expiring incentives, more model availability, and a strong desire for leasing shows how EVs have steadily become a more prominent consideration. Leveraging these insights will help automotive professionals best position themselves to support consumers navigating an increasingly dynamic landscape. To learn more about EVs and other automotive finance trends, view the full State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q3 2025 presentation on demand.

Learn how you can mitigate e-commerce fraud with identity verification and fraud prevention best practices.

Learn how Experian's Credit + Cashflow Score leads to a 40% improvement in predictive accuracy compared with conventional credit models. 

Experian Automotive Series | What Auto Marketers Are Prioritizing in the Second Half of 2025 As we close out our four-part series on what auto marketers are prioritizing in the second half of 2025, we’re shifting gears from strategy to execution. It’s time to explore how marketers are operationalizing data, seeking clarity, and building emotional connections that deepen relationships with customers. With the end of the year’s competitive automotive landscape, clarity and connection aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the cornerstones of growth and loyalty for 2026. Let’s start by exploring how clarity empowers today’s marketers to steer their strategies with control. Clarity: Putting marketers in the driver’s seat Data-guided auto marketers who leverage data insights have a clearer understanding of where consumers are on their car-buying journey. You can learn whether car buyers are gearing up for: A longer commute and want an electric vehicle (or a hybrid vehicle).1 Expanding their family and want a top-tier safety rating with cargo space. Factoring in market trends and wanting to be more economical.2 Creating a new and loyal customer base requires dealers, marketers, and OEMs to focus on clarity and connection. This will be more relevant than ever in the final days of 2025. Gone are the days when dealers and agencies used platforms and tools they did not understand. More businesses are simplifying their services and products by offering guides, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, tutorials, consultants, and webinars. At Experian Automotive, we're here to do just that, bringing clarity to our auto solutions, such as the Experian Marketing Engine (EME). While the EME tool has robust and dynamic data, two of our most widely used features — AutoAudiences and AutoInsights — stand out for their impact. Let’s break them down in the simplest way: AutoInsights helps marketers define where, what, and how. AutoAudiences helps reach who to target and when they might be in the market. For further clarification, savvy marketers leverage AutoInsights to strategize and understand their market, then activate AutoAudiences to curate marketing opportunities. With these tools empowering clarity, it’s equally important to focus on building genuine connections with car shoppers. Connection: Personalized experiences that drive sales Building a strong connection starts by truly understanding what consumers need and where they are on their car-buying journey. It’s important to know how consumers plan to use their vehicle and how they have serviced their cars in the past (or how they plan to service them in the future). By focusing on these details, marketers and dealerships can create more meaningful relationships and deliver helpful, relevant experiences that customers value. On the journey to better connections, consider your customers’ communication preferences, 2026 plans, and affordability.3 “Human connection...separates good stores from great ones,” notes Dealer Principal, Matt Birckhead at Sir Walter Chevrolet4 , while General Manager, Michael Wood at Jaguar Land Rover Virginia Beach collaborates with his Digital Director, Ryan Montville, to generate vehicle specs and feature descriptions that connect emotionally with target buyers 5 Key Takeaway: Automotive marketers who leverage data-informed clarity and authentic customer connection are best positioned to drive growth and loyalty in the final days of 2025 into 2026. By using innovative tools like Experian Marketing Engine, focusing on consumer needs, and personalizing every interaction, dealerships, agencies, and OEMs can optimize campaigns and foster lasting relationships. Mastering clarity with data and building emotional connections are the keys to success in automotive marketing today. Ready for clarity and connection with Experian data? Lead the way in creating customer-first experiences that fuel long-term growth. Connect with Experian Automotive and start driving measurable impact. Learn More https://www.coxautoinc.com/insights-hub/q3-2025-ev-sales-report-commentary/ https://www.experian.com/automotive/auto-credit-webinar-form https://news.dealershipguy.com/p/inside-q4-s-new-vehicle-trends-and-how-dealers-are-adjusting-2025-10-28 https://news.dealershipguy.com/p/one-price-vs-negotiation-what-four-operators-say-really-builds-trust-and-gross-2025-10-16 https://news.dealershipguy.com/p/5-powerful-chatgpt-hacks-car-dealers-are-using-to-supercharge-their-business-insights-2025-09-19

Gain invaluable insights into how value-added financial services could strengthen consumer relationships and enhance decisioning. Read more!