Insider Q&A: Experian's Zabritski on the surge in auto loans

With gas prices low, consumers are buying more SUVs and trucks and loading them up with new technology, like backup cameras and automatic braking.

Leasing — once confined mainly to the luxury market — made up more than one-third of new financing in the fourth quarter, Experian says.

A. In addition to overall price increases, finance amounts are in part reflective of the types of vehicles consumers are purchasing.

A. If anything, leasing will become more attractive as interest rates rise and increase loan payments.

What are the implications for the auto industry if people are taking longer and longer to pay off their vehicles?

[...] if the loan goes bad, it could keep consumers out of the market longer, since the consumer has negative equity which would require them to hold on to the vehicle longer.