Why It Suddenly Costs So Much More To Own A Car

Authors: Nate Chenenko
Publication: Autoweek
Date: September 21, 2026

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Autoweek contributing editor Jim Motavalli cited Ducker Carlisle data and quoted Nate Chenenko in a September 21, 2026 piece examining how the Iran war is driving up the cost of car ownership across motor oil, parts, insurance, and new vehicle prices.

Ducker Carlisle data is cited directly: approximately 44 percent of the Group III base oil refined into synthetic motor oil for the U.S. market comes from the Middle East, where deliveries are disrupted at the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the Strait is down 95 percent, from 100 to 125 tankers daily to five to 14 ships. Shell’s refinery in Qatar is part of the collateral damage.

Nate Chenenko is quoted on the broader supply chain impact: “The Iran war caused a spike in fuel prices. This affects every supply chain — most were optimized around $4 per gallon diesel. Now that diesel is over $6 per gallon, companies should be considering a re-think of their supply chains. Offsetting slower inbound transportation with slightly higher inventories is the core to the solution.”

The article also covers how auto parts prices are soaring due to the petroleum content in plastics, rubber, lubricants, and synthetics. A Roland Berger analysis cited in the piece suggests blockages in petrochemical production and distribution could raise the cost of car-related plastics and chemicals between 15 and 25 percent. The average new car transaction price in August reached $50,089. Car repairs are up 70 percent over the last five years and auto insurance now averages $2,124 per year in 2026.

Read the full article on Autoweek: https://www.autoweek.com/news/a73829135/why-it-suddenly-costs-so-much-more-to-own-a-car/

Source: Autoweek | September 21, 2026