Market Pulse

Infiniti VP Tiago Castro on simplifying operations and improving dealership profits

“If it doesn’t help client experience or make anybody make money, we should not be doing it,” says Infiniti VP of Americas Tiago Castro. (3 min. read)

Zachary Visconti

Mercedes-Benz presses U.S., EU to fast-track auto trade deal

The European Commission is racing to fast-track legislation to scrap U.S. industrial tariffs, unveiling two proposals Thursday. (2 min. read)

BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ EV strategy is a billion-euro bet with no room for error

At next week’s Munich car show, BMW will debut the iX3—the first fully electric model from its “Neue Klasse” series. (2 min. read)

Ken Ganley continues acquisition spree with first-ever Lexus stores

CDG News alert (1 min. read)

Podcast Recaps

Exposing how deals slip on the floor—and how to fix it

Featuring Jake Cronin, CEO and Founder of Siro

General Motors stresses importance of dealer involvement in regulatory battles at NAMAD

From EV credits to tariffs to right-to-repair, policy choices help decide how much money dealers make. (3 min. read)

Ash Savage

Dealer Strategies

Bud Clary Auto Group ramps up AI strategy to drive vehicle search gains

“If you're getting customers to land on a page, and they're bouncing instantly, it's likely that the content doesn't serve what they're actually searching for,” said marketing director Dustin Schuler. (3 min. read)

Porsche scales back EV battery plans as search for new CEO begins

Reports suggest Blume’s dual role as CEO of VW and Porsche could soon end. (2 min. read)

Ford is recalling more than 850K vehicles for dashboard display glitches, break fluid leaks

CDG News alert (1 min. read)

Impel, RockED bring on-demand AI certification to dealership staff nationwide

CDG News alert (1 min. read)

The Breakdown

Dealers are sitting on a goldmine of data—here's how they're putting it to work

Automations, micro-audiences, and 55% open rates

Car Dealership Guy

Auto lenders drive used car loan-to-value ratios to new peaks

In Q2 2022, just 38% of used vehicle loans carried LTV ratios above 120%. By Q2 2025, that jumped to 53%, according to TransUnion. (3 min. read)

Car buyer satisfaction hits new high, but trade-ins and F&I still test dealership trust

81% of car shoppers associated positive emotions and confidence with their latest vehicle purchase. (3 min. read)

AI car tech boosts ownership experience while exposing new risks — study

“While smart technologies are not without issues, they represent a meaningful step forward,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. (3 min. read)

California man uses ChatGPT to track down his stolen Lamborghini

CDG News alert (1 min. read)