As the automotive industry braces for changes including electrification and autonomy, dealers across the U.S. are worried about something much simpler: the price of a new car. After decades of fighting to protect their businesses and advocating for dealers to Congress and the federal government, dealers see their new mission as advocating for the consumer to keep the cost of a new vehicle low. The average price of a car to date through February is about $32,200, about $500 more than the price of a vehicle last year, according to J.D. Power, as manufacturers roll out new models with additional technology and safety features, justifying an increase in price. Customers are also buying more SUVs and pickup trucks, which come with a higher transaction price compared with sedans. If the cost of a new car continues to rise at rates it has been, “it will stop sales,” said […]