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Hey everyone,
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Service Technician – Superior Van & Mobility (MI)
CFO – Hoffman Auto Group (CT)
Automotive Service Advisor – Permian GMC Chevrolet (NM)
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— CDG
First time reading a CDG Newsletter?
Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
Dealers face softer new-car demand, rising prices in February sales forecast — J.D. Power
J.D. Power expects February new-vehicle sales to come in stronger than January, but still down year over year, with retail sales projected to fall 4.6%.
EV share is expected to slip to 6.6% of retail sales, while hybrids continue gaining ground at 13.5%, showing where demand is actually landing right now.
At the same time, average transaction prices are climbing to around $46,300, pushing the average monthly payment to $811 and driving more buyers into 84-month terms.
In short: Volume is softer, prices are higher, and the mix is shifting, which means dealers will need to lean into the right trims, manage incentives carefully, and structure deals around payment if they want to stay competitive heading into spring.
‘Enforce the rules’: Auto dealers say car broker deals are crushing profitability
Earlier this week, Paul Sansone Jr., and Jake Lebowitz (two Northeast dealers) are argued that some stores are losing $3,000 to $7,000 per brokered deal just to hit factory targets, and in certain markets brokers influence a huge chunk of out-of-area sales.
Adding to their argument, they say many brokers operate without the same licensing, advertising rules, or long-term accountability that franchise dealers face, which distorts pricing and customer expectations.
Big picture, their ask is this: Enforce the rules already on the books, at both the state and OEM level, so dealers aren’t forced into a race to the bottom just to keep up.
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CarGurus probes cyberattack, ShinyHunters claims theft of 1.7M records in data breach
CarGurus is investigating a cybersecurity incident after the hacking group ShinyHunters claimed it stole roughly 1.7 million records, including personal information, in a February 13 breach.
The group says it used voice phishing tactics to gain access, part of a broader spree targeting major platforms.
For now: CarGurus says the activity has been contained, appears limited in scope, and that dealer data feeds and core systems have not been compromised, though the investigation is ongoing.
Supreme Court upends tariffs, but key auto duties still intact
The Supreme Court struck down several of President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, ruling they weren’t authorized under the emergency powers law used to impose them.
However, key auto-related tariffs, including those tied to Section 232 on vehicles, steel, and aluminum, remain in place.
Big picture: While this could ease some broader household cost pressure, it doesn’t meaningfully lower vehicle or parts costs for dealers. What it does provide, though, is a bit more policy clarity, which helps with forecasting, ordering, and planning in an already tight affordability environment.
California proposes instant EV rebates with automaker match requirement
California is proposing a $200 million plan to offer instant EV rebates at the point of sale, but with a catch: automakers would have to match the state incentive dollar for dollar.
Price caps would apply, including $55,000 for passenger cars, $80,000 for trucks and SUVs, and $25,000 for used EVs, with final rebate amounts still to be determined.
And if OEMs participate: This could become a meaningful retail tool in California. If they don’t, incentives could vary widely by brand, so dealers will need to watch eligibility closely and avoid overpromising until the rules are finalized.
Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?
Presented by:
Fixed Ops Friday w/ Bob Keuhl, John Bishop, and Vince McIssac
Featured guests:
Bob Kuehl, Vice President of Fixed Operations at Zeigler Auto Group
John Bishop, Service Director at Volkswagen of Clarksville
Vince McIsaac, Director of Parts Operations at Hawk Auto Group
