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Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
How one Michigan dealer turns service-lane traffic into used cars that sell
At Art Moehn Chevrolet Honda in Michigan, sales director Charlie Spradlin has cracked the code on used car consistency—blending automation with hands-on sourcing.
Key tactics: His stores retail around 175–180 used units monthly, pulling 20–30 straight from the service drive, 10–12 via Facebook Marketplace, ~30 per buyer at auction, and additional units through private-party buys with VINCUE.
Spradlin focuses on affordable, everyday cars (mostly black, white, or silver in the low-$20K range) using tools like Skaivision and automotiveMastermind to text personalized upgrade offers to service customers.
The result: steady volume, clean inventory, and strong grosses.
Bottom line: By pairing automation with human intuition, and buying for his market, not the algorithm, Spradlin keeps inventory turning and profits steady
Chipmaker seizure could snarl U.S. car production as early as next month
A global chip disruption could soon hit auto production again.
The issue stems from the Dutch government’s seizure of semiconductor maker Nexperia from China—triggering retaliatory measures that have disrupted chip exports, according to Automotive Manufacturing Solutions.
For context: Nexperia supplies hundreds of millions of components used in everything from switches to steering wheel controls.
And these component are embedded in systems built by Bosch, Denso, and other Tier 1 suppliers.
The company has already warned automakers it can’t guarantee deliveries, with U.S. plants potentially impacted as soon as November.
Big picture: Even a small disruption in semiconductor flow can shut down entire vehicle architectures.
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How Willis Automotive is solving the technician shortage, one apprentice at a time
Willis Automotive Group’s Ryan Carlstedt is proving that the technician shortage isn’t just a labor problem… it’s a leadership one.
How it works: As EVP of Fixed Operations, he’s built a pipeline that turns students into long-term employees by partnering directly with community colleges and emphasizing mentorship.
In three years, Willis has hired 24 students through the program, with senior techs training and taking pride in “growing the next generation.”
Each apprentice follows a multi-year learning path before moving to flat rate, backed by a deferred compensation plan that rewards commitment and effort, not just productivity.
The takeaway: Grow your own, reward longevity, and the staffing “crisis” turns into a competitive edge.
GM to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all vehicles by 2028
General Motors is cutting ties with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—phasing both systems out across its lineup.
Key details: The change, confirmed by CEO Mary Barra, starts with EVs and will expand to gas-powered models ahead of a full transition to GM’s own infotainment platform in 2028.
The company’s new system, powered by Google Gemini, will integrate voice assistants and in-house apps built around connected services.
The shift mirrors a broader trend: automakers tightening control over in-car software and customer data.
Brands like Tesla, Rivian, and Volvo already rely on proprietary systems, while others limit Apple’s next-gen CarPlay access.
Looking ahead: For GM dealers, the post-CarPlay era is coming fast. Success will hinge on helping customers see the value in native infotainment, subscription bundles, and AI-driven experiences.
CDJR dealer Josh Clinton is bullish on Stellantis’ turnaround, yet frustrations linger
Some Stellantis dealers are cautiously optimistic about the automaker’s turnaround, but they say certain key fixes can’t wait.
Cape Coral CDJR managing partner Josh Clinton recently said on Daily Dealer Live that CEO Antonio Filosa and Tim Kuniskis bring strong leadership and vision.
And his store is hitting 145% of its market share goal—ranking 7th in the region. But Stellantis’ bonus tiers require 200%.
The problem: Clinton says that structure rewards “race-to-bottom” volume selling and wants Stellantis to rethink stair-step incentives in favor of fairer, sustainable targets.
At the end of the day, Clinton sees progress but wants partnership, not pressure.
“The OEM is your partner,” he said. “You’re in it together—but they have to listen.”
Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?
Presented by:
Kunes on tariff changes, Clerq on frictionless payments, Lawrence on current state of EVs
Featured guests:
Alex Lawrence, CEO and Co-founder of EV Auto
Ben Markowitz and Truett Dwyer, Co-CEOs of Clerq
Scott Kunes, COO of Kunes Auto and RV Group
Why dealers are split on the best pricing model—but aligned on one harsh reality
