Auto loans flagged as potential concern in otherwise promising picture

The North American light vehicle market wrapped up its fifth consecutive year of growth in 2014 and is off to a positive start this year. Jonathan Storey of Automotive Reports forecasts a 3.1% market growth this year, putting the industry at an estimated 19.8 million units. He points to accelerating economic growth, greater job security and greater credit availability as the main macro factors supporting growth in the market, while at the micro level there will likely be some boost from lower gas prices. However, there is one notable concern among all this promise.