The car shopping experts from Edmunds forecast that 3,393,988 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2022, which will be a 0.9% decrease from the third quarter of 2021 and a 2.7% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2022.

"Sales are expected to be down in the third quarter, but they won't be in free fall," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' executive director of insights. "Although inventory levels should slowly pick up as improvements are made to the microchip supply chain, additional headwinds such as rising interest rates, inflation and looming economic uncertainty threaten to offset much of this progress. Consumer confidence could deflate moving forward, but automakers and dealers can at least always count on necessity-based vehicle purchases keeping the industry afloat."

Edmunds analysts advise consumers who need to make a vehicle purchase in the near future to take a much more pragmatic approach than they might have in years past.

"Car shoppers must factor in rising inflation and interest rates as part of their budget," said Ivan Drury, Edmunds' director of insights. "Most Americans are probably used to upsizing or upscaling whenever making a new car purchase, but it's more realistic to expect a reduction in your disposable income for the foreseeable future. Try to stay within the same vehicle parameters and cost because, once you sign the paperwork, your monthly car payment is set."