Interesting data point from the automotive sector: vehicle sales dropped for the second consecutive month despite aggressive manufacturer discounting. Turns out those trade-in subsidies were doing more heavy lifting than anyone realized.

Once the government support rolled off, even steep price cuts couldn't keep momentum going. Classic case of artificial stimulus masking underlying demand weakness. Makes you wonder what other sectors are running on policy fumes right now.

For anyone watching macro cycles, this kind of cliff-drop after subsidy withdrawal is textbook. Consumer spending patterns don't just bounce back when free money disappears. Could signal broader caution in discretionary purchases as households reassess their balance sheets.