"Maybe someone here has an explanation or clarification."

I am full of explanations and 'clarifications' but not necessarily valid, lol.

My explanation is very simple and I presume obvious.

I used to buy only new cars.

I bought a car a while back, used.

My wife bought a used car in Europe, car is for use in Europe.

Aside from other whats and whys, used cars because our incomes have been reduced ( my wife and I recently became pensioners and often traveling in Europe) and if yours has not you are living in a world where in a moments notice you are likely to be part of a statistic where your income is also reduced.

Short answer: You live in a world of uncertainty, so you are part of a majority who do not want to take risks.

"But you bought!" you say.

Well yes we did, but there are many people who in the past bought used cars and now can not afford them.

Hence the lots full of used cars and for manufacturers of new ones, ditto.

We all cope in what ever method we can. I am betting that the silver shortage will break the perverbial camel's back later if not sooner.

Cheers, Ed.