Corporate filings from major auto groups indicate sustained lease portfolio growth, offering a hedge against cyclical finance downturns in the "lease vs finance car" market. Yes, when you lease a car, your lease payments will be reported to the credit bureaus. On-time payments will help your credit score, and late or missed payments will hurt it. As EV options have expanded, more drivers have decided to lease — just over 50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to Experian. However, 38.9 percent chose to finance with an auto loan instead of leasing. Either route you take, EVs may offer a positive driving experience for you and the planet and are a strong consideration for your next car. Recent investor calls highlight margin compression risks in the "lease vs finance car" segment if financing rates spike, prompting cautious stock positioning by fund managers.