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Hey everyone,
Here’s a look at today’s Daily Dealer Live guest list, streaming at 1 p.m. EST.
Joining us:
Fred Beans, owner of Fred Beans Family of Dealerships
Beth Beans Gilbert, VP of Fred Beans Family of Dealerships
Hugh Roberts, partner with the Rawls Group
— CDG
First time reading a CDG Newsletter?
Newer cars are getting more expensive to insure:
But not all of them…
The average 2024/2025 vehicle now costs $2,823 per year to insure, roughly $700 more than the national average across all vehicles.
Yet, there are quite a few models that owners can insure for well under that.
The standout: Subaru dominates the list of the cheapest new models to insure (five vehicles in the top 10).
But automakers like Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, Acura, and Ford also have models on the list.
(Data source: Insurify)
Lindsay CDJR GM boasts 100% rate for videos sent in sales dept.
At Lindsay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, every sales lead gets a personalized video, from first contact through appointment confirmation.
GM Nino Sita says the store sent roughly 1,000 videos to 1,000 leads last month, helping drive a 36% close rate on phone leads and nearly 15% on internet leads.
In F&I, the team uses FaceTime to walk remote buyers through protection options and close products off-site, even on cash deals.
Looking ahead: Nito says service is next up, where video inspections are currently used about 30% of the time, with a broader push underway to reach full adoption by year’s end.
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Canada’s Chinese EV tariff deal sets stage for new competition in North America
Canada is slashing tariffs on Chinese EV imports from 100% to 6.1%, opening the door to lower-priced electric vehicles entering the market.
The deal allows up to 49,000 Chinese EVs priced under $33,000 in the first year, rising to 70,000 over five years, with BYD seen as the likely early mover.
Big picture: The shift creates a low-cost EV reference point just north of the U.S. border, adding new pricing pressure and policy risk for automakers and dealers across North America.
Ford weighs partnership with BYD for hybrid battery supply — report
Ford is weighing a potential partnership with Chinese automaker BYD to supply batteries for some of its hybrid vehicles, according to a new report.
The talks reflect Ford’s growing focus on cutting battery costs as hybrids take on a bigger role in its global lineup, even as the idea draws political pushback in Washington.
Bottom line: If a deal moves forward, it could reshape pricing on future Ford hybrids, all while pulling dealers into a broader debate over China’s role in the U.S. auto supply chain.
Sandy Sansing Automotive purchases BMW of Tuscaloosa from Carlock Automotive
