Market Pulse

BofA ‘Car Wars’ forecast: automakers are retreating heavily into their core products

The projected drop in new vehicle launches over the next four years is heavily attributed to automakers pumping the brakes on their investments into EVs. (3 min. read)

Nissan is building its next-gen LEAF on 15 years of EV lessons

Based on the latest specs, it seems to be a zeroed-in take on the fundamentals: efficiency, packaging, and real-world appeal. (3 min. read)

Ash Savage

Tariffs causing major setbacks in automaker production planning — S&P Global Mobility

Automakers are losing 18 months of planning time due to constantly changing tariff policies, according to analysts. (3 min. read)

Performance Auto Group acquires Fullerton Auto Group in multi-franchise deal

CDG News Alert (< 1 min. read)

The auto industry has a password problem—and it's pretty embarrassing

CDG News Alert (1 min. read)

Podcast Recaps

The hunt for auto tech's next unicorn—why Silicon Valley is betting on Toma and what it means for dealers

Featuring Monik Pamecha, CEO of Toma

Dealer Strategies

Why Bill Kay Auto is building its in-house content engine: 'you’ve got to be the quarterback'

VP Dustin Collins called it one of the worst habits in the car business—finding something that works, then scrapping it. (3 min. read)

Ash Savage

Dealer Strategies

Virginia dealer Jon Alcorn's path from employee to owner

Jim Keffer's buyout program creates opportunities for operators as consolidation reshapes the industry. (3 min. read)

Embedded insurance continues lifting dealership F&I profits — report

Polly’s Q1 report shows embedded insurance nearly tripled since 2023, boosting dealer F&I gross by up to $432 per deal. (3 min. read)

Maine dealer blasts Toyota for EV delays and climate lobbying in open letter

CDG News Alert (1 min. read)

Automakers scramble as China tightens grip on critical rare earth exports

CDG News Alert (1 min. read)

The Breakdown

3 operational patterns separating top dealers from the ones getting left behind

The tables have turned

Car Dealership Guy, +1

U.S. auto sales show hybrid leaders pulling ahead as demand holds steady

Buyers want hybrids, right-sized SUVs, and real value. Because it’s strategy, not size, that’s driving wins right now. (4 min. read)

Ash Savage

4 June 2025

Volkswagen confirms 20,000 voluntary employee departures by 2030

Facing mounting EV losses and fierce Chinese competition, VW is slimming down its German operations and ramping up investment in the U.S. (2 min. read)

4 June 2025

Lawmakers reintroduce bill to reform auto insurance pricing

House Resolution 336, and would prohibit the use of credit scores and other factors that aren’t related to driving from being used to calculate insurance rates. (2 min. read)