On the Dash:
- JD Power forecasts U.S. new-vehicle sales will total 16.3 million units in 2026, matching 2025 levels.
- Supply and demand dynamics are expected to be the primary driver of market performance this year.
- The new Power Platform will unify JD Power tools to improve workflow efficiency and decision-making across the industry.
JD Power opened the NADA Show 2026 with a forecast projecting stable new-vehicle sales volume for the year, signaling a market expected to hold steady despite ongoing uncertainty. The company estimates total U.S. new-vehicle sales will reach 16.3 million units in 2026, matching 2025 levels.
The outlook was delivered during the annual JD Power Auto Summit, held in conjunction with the NADA Show, where the data and analytics firm also unveiled a new brand identity and a unified automotive strategy. The strategy centers on simplifying how manufacturers, retailers, and other industry stakeholders access insights across the automotive lifecycle.
JD Power leaders emphasized that supply and demand dynamics are expected to remain the primary force shaping the market this year. While macroeconomic pressures persist, the company anticipates that production and inventory conditions will stabilize enough to support consistent sales volumes.
In addition to the sales forecast, the company introduced a new approach to delivering its products and services. Central to that effort is the upcoming Power Platform, a unified digital environment that will allow users to access multiple JD Power solutions through a single sign-in. The platform is designed to streamline workflows and improve how automotive professionals engage with data across manufacturing, marketing, retail operations, pricing, and valuation.
The solution aims to provide faster access to insights while reducing friction between tools. By consolidating datasets and workflows, JD Power intends to support quicker, more informed decision-making across the industry at every stage of the automotive ecosystem. Company leaders framed the update as a response to an industry facing constant disruption, accelerated innovation, and increased pressure to adapt quickly.
The Auto Summit also highlighted several new technology solutions built around deeper datasets and improved system integration. These offerings are designed to help businesses respond more effectively to rapid market shifts and compressed planning cycles.
