84-month auto loans set record in Q1, new car sales surge in March, Subaru dealer launches “pre-tariff” pricing

Hey, everyone. In case you missed it…

We just launched our Automaker Tariff Tracker yesterday and the response has been *incredible*.

But here’s the problem—we’re still missing guidance from OEMs like General Motors and Volvo.

So, we need your help.

If you have insider info (about any OEM)… email [email protected] to get in touch with our team of reporters.

— CDG

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Welcome to The Weekly, your go-to roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week. Let’s dive in.

1. Tariff fears drive record March sales for most OEMs—but April remains uncertain

March was a breakout month for auto sales, with multiple automakers posting record results.

The drivers: Tax season, warmer weather, and end-of-quarter incentives always give March a boost—but this year, looming tariffs added extra urgency for buyers to act fast.

The standouts:

• Subaru posted its best month since 2019

• Hyundai hit a March record, led by EV and hybrid sales

• Mazda recorded its best U.S. sales month ever

Looking ahead: With inventory still healthy, the big question is whether April can keep the momentum alive as tariff pressures build.

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

But one dealership isn’t waiting for sticker prices to climb—it's moving early…

2. Subaru dealership leans into “pre-tariff savings” promotions

What’s happening: Suburban Subaru, outside Hartford, CT, rolled out a “pre-tariff savings” campaign, offering discounts on key models to stay ahead of any potential rising costs.

Key details:

• $1,000 off a 2025 Impreza Sport

• $1,500 off a base Forester

Behind the scenes: The store is stockpiling auto parts.

Why it matters: With limited guidance from automakers, dealers are being forced to create their own pricing logic in real time.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Meanwhile—buyers are stretching their loans further than ever…

3. Nearly 20% of new car buyers now opt for 84-month loans

The share of shoppers committing to 7-year auto loans is at a record high.

By the numbers: Edmunds reports that 84-month terms made up 19.8% of new-vehicle financing in Q1 2025—up from 15.8% a year ago and 13.4% in 2019.

What’s behind the jump?

Buyers are looking to lower their monthly payments, even if it means stretching terms to extremes.

One wildcard: President Trump has floated making interest tax-deductible for U.S.-built vehicle loans—though no formal policy exists yet.

Bottom line: Longer loans are masking affordability problems, not solving them.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Still—one part of the industry isn’t slowing down—the dealership M&A market...

Tasca Auto Group's Secret to Driving Service Profits–Even in Uncertain Times.

Bob Tasca III joined Sam D’Arc and Ryan Maher for a must-watch episode of Industry Spotlight.

The game-changer? Using recall service work to bring back customers who haven’t set foot in the dealership for years.

And the best part? It works. Bob is 12Xing his ROI with BizzyCar. 

Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation—Stream it now!

4. Car dealers stay in buy mode despite tariff uncertainty

Dealership buyers are staying active despite concerns over auto tariffs.

The findings: Haig Partners just reported 16 transactions under purchase agreements—covering 34 stores—and new bids rolling in even after tariff discussions started.

On top of that: The team is preparing to market another 29 stores this month—making it clear that buyers are focused on long-term ownership—viewing short-term disruption as manageable.

Recent headlines:

• Chris Crain and Heath Campbell acquired Riser CDJR FIAT in Arkansas

• Trophy Automotive bought Kia of Cerritos in California

• AutoNation picked up Groove Ford and Groove Mazda in Colorado, adding $200M+ in annual revenue

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

And in the EV world—Lucid Motors is quietly gaining traction…

5. Lucid Motors capitalizes on shifting EV loyalties

According to interim CEO Marc Winteroff, the EV maker has seen a (quote) “dramatic uptick” in orders over the past two months from drivers switching over from Tesla.

Right now—he says, half of Lucid’s new buyers are former Tesla owners.

And a closer look into data from Edmunds reveals that trade-ins on 2017 Teslas and newer have jumped—from just 0.4% of all vehicles last March to 1.4% this year.

Big picture? Lucid’s gaining traction—and becoming a legit option for EV buyers ready to try something new.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Three opportunities hitting the CDG Job Board right now:

• Toma: Digital Customer Success Manager / Program Owner (remote)

• Hertrich Family of Automobile Dealerships: Automotive General Manager (Delaware)

• Kunes Auto Group: Automotive Salesperson (Illinois)

Looking to hire? Add your roles today—it’s 100% free.

That’s a wrap for now – make sure you’re following along on X, LinkedIn and IG for more real-time updates.

Thanks for reading. Hit reply and let me know if you found this Weekly valuable or have any feedback. I’ll see you next weekend.

— CDG

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