It may not be “new” but the difference in the breadth and depth of the monetization and commoditization is not even comparable.
I agree, but believe it’s largely due to constantly expanding number of investors & speculators playing wannabe car guys and most of them probably view auction houses, dealers, etc as their “stock brokers”. I’m guessing 90% of those “wannabes” wouldn’t have cars if there wasn’t some sort of “investment potential” marketing associated with them. Like I’ve said before, this is nothing new (just bigger) and will be interesting when the music stops (again*)… *1991 was particularly interesting and I often wonder when will we see something similar. Hopefully soon.