Hey, everyone. We’re digging into what’s actually working when it comes to fraud prevention.
Not the flashy vendor pitch—but the dealer-built systems, the real red flags, the no-BS filters that stop fraud before it hits.
Got a hot take? A horror story? A tactic that actually works? Send it our way.
— 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. Deep discounts hit Jeep’s flagship EV as Stellantis struggles with demand
At some CDJR stores, the all-electric Jeep Wagoneer S is getting nearly $25K slashed off sticker.
MSRP starts at $66,995—but dealers in Georgia, Florida, and Oklahoma are advertising prices as low as ~$43K.
The EV just hit showrooms this year. But it's already getting the fire-sale treatment, signaling demand for high-priced electric Jeeps may be far lower than Stellantis anticipated.
Big picture: Stellantis bet on electrifying iconic American brands like Jeep and Dodge. Now it's learning the hard way—consumers aren’t lining up
2. Record growth at the Niello Company is built on hyper-fast lead responses and no missed calls
The Niello Company just hit its 28th straight sales record in May, even with fewer leads than before.
Sales chief Dennis Gingrich credits the streak to tight execution: urgency, follow-up, and accountability across the board.
That means instant lead reassignment, sub-10-minute response times, and video woven into every step of the sales process.
While most dealers chase traffic, Niello is squeezing more from what they already have—proving that disciplined basics still win, even in California’s tough retail environment.
See how AI is turning data into service appointments
Voice AI is saving dealers time and growing revenue.
Intelligent, AI-powered receptionist to ensure every call is answered and expertly managed, 24/7
Reducing time spent on phones for service managers and advisors by 60%
Calls and appointments are logged in the DMS automatically
Why Kenect? Our AI wasn’t born yesterday. Auto dealers have been trusting our AI to optimize service department operations since 2021. And yes, it actually works.
3. From 0 to 3 stores in under a year—dealer Kyle Coleman isn’t slowing down
Coleman Automotive Group CEO Kyle Coleman is on track to close his fourth and fifth rooftops before the end of Q3, less than a year after launching the company.
His approach blends smart dealmaking with long-term vision. He even launched his own private equity firm (Dealer Prime Equity) to fund the group’s expansion toward 40 stores in 10 years.
Bottom line: Coleman’s rise shows what’s possible when operators bet on themselves, think bigger than the buy/sell listing, and move with speed and discipline.
4. This general sales manager is going viral for spilling dealership secrets
While many dealers are still hesitant about social media, Doug Horner at Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted leaned in, and it’s paying off.
His “BenzsandBowties” videos have racked up 330K+ followers and over 10 million views by focusing on education, not sales pitches.
The result is customers are calling him (not the other way around) because they already trust him before stepping into the store.
Horner’s success shows that transparency and consistency can turn content into a real lead engine. And in a business built on relationships, the edge goes to whoever builds them at scale.
Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?
States sue President Trump over EV rules, auto lending update, and more
This episode is brought to you by: Nomad Content Studio
Featuring:
Matt Bowers, Owner of Matt Bowers Automotive Group
Jade Terreberry, Sr. Director at Cox Automotive (Autotrader)
Jake Lebowitz, Dealer Principal at Raceway Auto
5. Wholesale used vehicle values pull back in May after tariff rush
Manheim’s wholesale used car value index dropped 1.4% month-over-month as post-tariff-panic buying cooled off. Retail sales slipped 3% from April, but remain up 4% year over year.
Luxury and SUV segments continue to lead annual price gains, while compact cars are the only major segment down versus last year.
Zooming out: Even with May’s softening, wholesale prices remain elevated. As tariffs push more buyers toward used vehicles, the real fight may be on the pre-owned lot, where affordability still has the upper hand.
Have a tip for our editorial team? Send us your scoop at [email protected].
Three opportunities hitting the CDG Job Board right now:
Leif Auto: Service Director (West Texas)
Libertyville Lincoln: Sales Consultant (Illinois)
Phil Smith Kia: Salesperson (Florida)
Looking to hire? Add your roles today—it’s 100% free.
2026 model-year rollout lags as tariff uncertainty lingers
Trump vs. Newsom: Legal battle erupts over California’s gas car ban
How Capitol Auto Group turned 400+ employees into used car inventory scouts
Auto loan access ticks up in May as lenders ease subprime standards
Test drives and dealership visits still central to buyer decisions — survey
That’s a wrap for now – make sure you’re following along on X, LinkedIn and IG for more real-time updates.
Did you enjoy this edition of The Weekly newsletter?
Thanks for reading. Hit reply and let me know if you found The Weekly valuable or have any feedback. I’ll see you next weekend.
— CDG
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