Experian Automotive recently reported that leases accounted for 26.7% of the U.S. new vehicle sales volume in the first quarter of 2015, which is a record. The first quarter percentage was 1.1 points higher than a year ago and the fourth time in the past five quarters that lease penetration topped 25%. If only new vehicles are measured, the numbers are even higher. Experian reports that new vehicle leases ONLY accounted for 31.4% of U.S. volume in the first quarter, up from 30.2% a year earlier.
Lease customers like the lower monthly payments and the chance to get into a new car more often. Analysts predict that leasing may still grow a bit more before leveling out.