Auto delinquencies to remain at record-lows through 2012

  Reflecting consumers' frugality in the years following the global recession, the rate of delinquency on auto loan payment is expected to remain at record-low levels through much of next year. According to a report released Wednesday by TransUnion, the ratio of debtors 60 or more days past due will remain level between the end of 2011 and 2012. Sixty-day auto loan delinquencies are projected to drop during the first half of 2012 before climbing back to 0.51 percent at the end of the year - where the figure currently stands. "Auto loans have performed quite well since the beginning of 2010 and we expect delinquencies to remain relatively low throughout 2012 as the gradual recovery in the economy will benefit both lenders and consumers," said Peter Turek, automotive vice president in TransUnion's financial services business unit. Auto delinquencies have fallen steadily since the recession, peaking at 0.86 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. Experts point to higher auto sales and tighter consumer budgets as driving the trend. Bloomberg recently reported that 2011 auto sales are on track to be the strongest since 2008.