CARS Rule stalls but pressure stays hot, Nissan doubles down on brand reboot, Ford’s recall tally climbs

Hey everyone. Quick reminder.

Our Auto Tariff Tracker is still live—and if you haven’t circled back lately, it’s worth another look.

It’s where we’re tracking real-time OEM guidance. Plus, what it all means for dealers on the ground—inventory, pricing, strategy, and more.

Bookmark it. Refresh often. Stay sharp.

— CDG

Wholesale used car values are way up compared to historical norms:

In the first two weeks of April, values rose 4.3% against the full month of April in 2024.

Why?

Some dealers are scrambling to refill their inventories as used retail demand spikes—leading to higher conversion rates and pricing trends.

By segment (price change against March):

• Compact cars: +1.5%

• Midsize cars: +2.3%

• SUVs: +2%.

• Pickups: +1.9%

• Luxury segment: +0.2%

• EVs: +1.2%

Bottom line: Valuations will likely remain elevated through Q2, fueled by tightness in wholesale supply.

(Data source: Manheim)

1. FTC’s CARS Rule may be sidelined—but regulatory pressures persist

The FTC’s CARS Rule may be on pause—but enforcement is still full steam ahead.

What we know: State attorneys general (on both sides of the aisle) are stepping up, and private litigation remains a serious threat.

And it’s well known that many of the CARS Rule’s protections are already baked into state law—so its a delay that doesn’t mean dealers are off the hook.

Need a reminder? Just look at the 2020 Bronx Honda case: a $1.5 million penalty for discriminatory practices—handed down under a Republican administration.

Looking ahead: The FTC’s CARS Rule may be on hold—but other enforcement isn’t. And with state AGs and private litigants looming—dealers need to stay proactive to avoid costly fallout.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Tailored Customer Experiences at Every Touchpoint? There’s AI for That. 

Impel’s AI Operating System maximizes engagement and conversion across marketing, chat, sales, and service. Now dealers can deliver one-to-one concierge experiences at scale across every step of the consumer journey, driving new levels of revenue, customer retention, and profitability.

And with our new AI Knowledge Bank, you can customize your AI for maximum flexibility. From incentives and service policies to tariff responses, train Impel once, and every conversation immediately reflects your latest updates. The result? 

• As much as a 50% increase in appointment set rates 

• Up to a 26% reduction in human intervention 

• 95 incremental Repair Orders on average per month

• An increased repurchase rate of nearly 25% 

See the difference the Impel AI Operating System makes today. Visit impel.ai/cdg.

2. Nissan Sales VP talks fresh products and new playbook: ‘We’re here to stay’

Vinay Shahani’s playbook for Nissan’s U.S. recovery?

Stay agile, focus on the now, and keep the pressure on. And so far—the numbers are moving in the right direction.

• Q1 sales were up about 6%, with March sales up about 10%.

• New models are also rolling out, and the brand is working hard to shake off old perceptions.

Bottom line: Tariffs and partnership uncertainty cloud Nissan’s long-term outlook, but for now, the focus is clear—execute and double down.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

And according to William, Nissan’s V8 engine could be key to the rebuild...

3. Brake issues force Ford to recall over 120,000 vehicles

Ford’s recall troubles keep stacking up—with the latest hitting 87,738 F-150s, 30,200 Expeditions, and 5,673 Lincoln Navigators.

The culprit?

A faulty brake master cylinder, adding to a growing list of recalls in recent months.

Meanwhile, recall costs are climbing, reaching $5.83 billion in 2024—a 22% jump from the previous year.

Zooming out: While Ford hasn’t reported any accidents or injuries caused by the latest recall, the real challenge isn’t just fixing defects—it’s rebuilding confidence in the brand’s quality.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

• 2026 Detroit Auto Show will be capstone of cross-country tribute to Route 66

• Mazda to pause U.S. production of CX-50 cars destined for Canada

• Subaru shoulders it all at New York Auto Show: new product, EV rules, tariffs

• Toyota weighs building more RAV4s in the U.S. in response to tariffs, report says

• Canada grants limited reprieve on auto tariffs

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG

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