DALLAS, May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The purchase of an average-priced new vehicle took only 21.5 weeks of median family income in the first quarter 2009, according to Comerica Bank's Auto Affordability Index. This reading is down 1.3 weeks from the prior quarter and is the lowest on record. Median family income continued to fall in the first quarter. However, the total vehicle cost of buying and financing a new car fell more sharply than income, reflecting sharply falling interest rates on car loans. The total cost of buying an average-priced light vehicle fell to $26,000 in the first quarter, down $1,700 from the prior quarter.

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"Part of the sharp decline in interest rates on car loans may have reflected some normalization of conditions in credit markets, "said Dana Johnson, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "However, with consumers sharply cutting back on their spending in the context of the severe recession, the car companies became much more aggressive in offering reduced financing rates as well as other types of discounts."

This report incorporates the latest data on consumer spending on light vehicles and on the terms available on auto loans. The full history of the Index is available upon request.

Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada, China and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $67.4 billion as of March 31, 2009. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://www.comerica.com/newsalerts.

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SOURCE: Comerica Bank

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