50% of new EVs are leased, dealers weigh in on tariffs, Columbus Auto Show canceled

Hey everyone. Today, I’m sitting down with Vinay Shahani, one of Nissan Motor Corporation’s top U.S. execs.

Nissan’s going through a big transformation right now—so this should be a great conversation.

What do you want me to ask him?

Email your questions to [email protected] !

— CDG

The share of new cars priced under $30K is 27% higher year-over-year:

The top contributors?

The Kia K4, Chevy Trax, and Nissan Sentra.

But the twist—

The share of new cars priced over $70K also grew—

Led by heavy-duty trucks and full-size SUVs.

Big picture—buyers are moving in opposite directions—more affordable options are returning, but demand for high-end trucks and SUVs isn’t slowing down.

(Data source: Cars Commerce)

1. Electric vehicles make up nearly 20% of all new car leases

More than half of all new EV purchases in Q4 were leases, driven by lower monthly payments, automaker incentives, and a tax credit “loophole” that makes leasing far more accessible than financing with a loan.

Yes, but a proposed policy shift could close that loophole and potentially slow EV sales growth—unless automakers ramp up their own EV incentives even more.

What they're saying: "It’s not just affordability. Leasing offers consumers the opportunity to buy an EV without worrying about the potential resale value down the line,” said Melinda Zabritski, Experian’s head of automotive financial insights … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

2. For car dealers—tariffs add new variables to pricing, inventory planning

New tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are set at 25%, while China faces a 20% levy—but a few temporary exemptions, including automotive-related goods, are in place until April.

The problem? Constant tariff policy revisions have made it nearly impossible for automakers, suppliers, and dealers to plan ahead.

Some customers are already walking away from orders—fearing massive price hikes.

And dealers warn that even small margin shifts are tough to absorb. But beyond pricing, these tariffs could also disrupt supply chains and inventory allocations … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

HR & Safety on the Go—Because Your Team Deserves Better

Managing HR across multiple systems—or worse, on paper—is slowing you down.

With the DriveHRIS Mobile App, everything is in one place:

• ✅ Self-Serve Access – Employees check schedules, request time off, and sign documents anytime, anywhere.

• ✅ Compliance Made Simple – Automate safety training, certifications, and inspections with built-in reminders.

• ✅ Faster Hiring & Onboarding – Recruit from anywhere and get new hires set up from day one.

Less admin. Fewer errors. A smoother experience for your team. Book a call today and see DriveHRIS in action.

3. Another auto show off the calendar—this time in Columbus

Organizers of the Columbus Auto Show blame broader industry headwinds for the cancellation, and they’re not alone—San Francisco’s show has been on hold since 2022, and even Detroit’s event has seen attendance plummet.

Between the lines: While big-name shows in LA, Chicago, and New York are still standing, turnout isn’t what it used to be.

As more buyers rely on online research—the future of auto shows as a marketing tool is looking increasingly murky … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

• Toyota halts RAV4 production after explosion kills 1, snarls supply chain.

• Nissan board to discuss potential CEO successors at March 11 meeting, sources say.

• Government accountability office blocks potential Congressional repeal of California EV rules.

• Big carmakers aim to take a page from Tesla and sell EVs online.

• Federal court rejects challenge to Massachusetts’ stricter right-to-repair law.

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG