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Hey everyone,
Happy Saturday! I’ll be talking with Senator Bernie Moreno on Monday. Have a question you want me to ask him? A policy you’re curious about?
— CDG
First time reading a CDG Newsletter?
Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
Used-car prices jump in April, pressuring affordability and inventory strategy
Used-vehicle prices surged in April, according to Carfax, though the jump could carry a few upsides for dealers.
The month marked one of the largest monthly increases since Carfax launched its index in 2023, with used-vehicle prices rising 2.8% in April, about an $800 average increase, as all major segments posted gains.
What they’re saying: “Supply and demand are both in play here,” said Patrick Olsen, with Carfax. “We know we’re millions of vehicles short in the used-car market because of big sales declines in 2020-2022, largely due to pandemic-era issues, including hard-to-get credit and supply-chain issues. That means there are more consumers chasing fewer used cars.”
Robots earn their keep at McGovern Automotive Group (and play groovy tunes, too)
Six robots roll around inside four service departments at McGovern Automotive Group to help deliver parts, moving about 2 to 3 mph. (That’s about how fast a human walks, according to Google).
And, they’re proving their worth, according to Danny Negalha, corporate fixed ops director for the New England-based group.
The robots cost about $1,600 a month to rent, which Negalha pointed out is less expensive than adding another support person to run parts.
A quick word from our partner
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Explore our recent transactions to see how leading dealers are putting portfolio management into action.
Bipartisan bill seeks to block Chinese autos as dealer pressure looms
Growing concerns about Chinese automakers have prompted a bipartisan push to block their entry into the U.S., as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The details: Sens. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., introduced legislation Wednesday that would ban Chinese vehicles and parts from being imported into the U.S., NBC News reported.
The bill would also restrict automobiles, parts, and vehicle software developed in partnership with China and other “adversarial nations.”
How Colonial Ford of Plymouth became a top Super Duty truck dealer in New England
Ron Almeida, general manager of Colonial Ford of Plymouth in Massachusetts, runs the number one Super Duty dealership in New England. But he doesn’t credit those sales to pricing.
Instead, he built his success map by having the right vehicles in stock, transparent trade appraisals, and making sure his employees have everything they need.
Big picture: Almeida said truck drivers shop based on what the model can do and how fast they need it, not on deals. That’s why he prioritizes inventory depth and speed of response.
Dealers find battle with Carvana, CarMax heating up for inventory
In the battle for used-vehicle inventory, car dealers found the start of 2026 even tougher to compete with Carvana and CarMax.
What we know: Polling several dozen private franchise dealers about the two national brands, Stephens, Inc., found a near consensus among respondents that Carvana and Carmax were formidable competitors in today’s tight market.
Notably, dealers felt that Carvana and CarMax added to the market's tightness with their national reach and aggressive bidding on vehicles.
