Automotive Loan Delinquencies Continue to Drop, Percentage of Nonprime and Subprime Loans Rises in Q2 2010

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug. 30, 2010; Automotive loan delinquencies dropped during Q2 2010, marking the second consecutive quarter that showed a year-over-year decrease in quarterly delinquencies. Lenders also made a higher percentage of loans to nonprime and subprime customers, a sign that lenders are beginning to loosen credit.

The 30-day delinquency rate fell 5.88 percent, from 3.07 percent in Q2 2009 to 2.89 percent in Q2 2010. The 60-day delinquency rate fell 11.85 percent, from 0.8 percent in Q2 2009 to 0.71 percent in Q2 2010. The findings are part of an in-depth analysis of trends impacting the automotive industry entitled, State of the Automotive Finance Market, First Half of 2010.

"Seeing a drop in delinquencies year-over-year is a positive sign for both the lending and automotive industries," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive. "The fact that we've seen a drop for the second consecutive quarter is an indication that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for the economy."

Lending institutions appeared to loosen credit, providing a higher percentage of loans to customers in the nonprime and subprime risk tiers. The percentage of nonprime and subprime loans for new vehicles grew a combined 4.5 percent, from 16 percent in Q2 2009 to 16.73 percent in Q2 2010. However, lenders were still cautious about new vehicle loans to the lowest risk tier, deep subprime, as the percentage of those loans dropped from 1.56 percent in Q2 2009 to 1.48 percent in Q2 2010.

"It appears as though lenders are testing the waters with customers who have less than stellar credit," said Melinda Zabritski, director of automotive credit for Experian Automotive. "While lenders have not loosened their criteria to the levels we saw three years ago, we do see an upward movement in loans to those middle risk tiers. This could be a very positive sign for the auto industry, as it could open loans to a wider group of potential customers."

  Other findings include the following:
  --  The average credit score for purchasers of a new vehicle fell two
      points, from 774 in Q2 2009 to 772 in Q2 2010. The average credit
      score for purchasers of a used vehicle rose two points, from 677 in Q2
      2009 to 679 in Q2 2010.
  --  The average amount financed for a new vehicle jumped by $883 to
      $25,222. The average amount financed for a used vehicle jumped by
      $1,027 to $16,581.
  --  The states with the highest average credit scores for consumers
      applying for new vehicle loans were Minnesota (803), Wisconsin (796),
      Iowa (795), Nebraska (791) and Montana (789).
  --  The states with the lowest average credit scores for consumers
      applying for new vehicle loans were Mississippi (749), Nevada (750),
      Louisiana (751), Texas (752) and North Carolina (759).

A Market Insight Snapshot featuring a more detailed analysis of Experian Automotive's findings can be downloaded at http://www.experian.com/automotive/auto-resources.html.

Experian Automotive's quarterly credit trend analysis features market reporting data and analysis from Experian Automotive's AutoCount� Risk Report, which analyzes automotive lending markets based on a uniform measurement of credit quality that segments markets by geography, credit score and vehicle registrations, among other factors. For more information on Experian Automotive's AutoCount Risk Report, visit https://www.autocount.com/. It also incorporates data from the Experian-Oliver Wyman Market Intelligence Reports, which provide topical, quarterly analysis; peer benchmarking options; and commentary on key issues facing the financial services industry. To subscribe to the Experian-Oliver Wyman Market Intelligence Reports, go to http://www.marketintelligencereports.com/.

About Experian Automotive

Experian Automotive, a part of Experian, delivers information services to manufacturers, dealers, finance and insurance companies, and consumers. Experian� helps automotive clients increase customer loyalty, target and win new business, and make better lending and vehicle purchase decisions. Its National Vehicle Database, housing more than 625 million vehicles, along with Experian's credit, consumer and business information assets, meets the industry's growing demand for an integrated information source. Experian's advanced decision support services help clients turn this information into improved business results. Experian technology supports top automotive businesses, including eBay Motors, CarsDirect.com, CarMax and NADAguides.com. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of services, visit our Website at http://www.experianautomotive.com/.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2010, was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com/.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.