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Hey everyone,
It’s back-to-school season, but as dealers, you always have to keep learning and improving. On that note, this week we announced our partnership with 800% Automotive Club to expand our presence in dealer leadership development.
— CDG
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Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
Mainstream brands are pulling more previously premium vehicle owners away, with the highest defectors among midsize SUVs, where average savings neared $20,000.
Driving the news: A JD Power Automotive OEM Intelligence Report found a significant shift from premium vehicle buyers to more mainstream selections.
This is significant as new premium vehicle purchases dropped from a 13.8% share of the market in the first half of 2025 to 13.3% this year, the lowest since 2020.
Murdock CDJR tops $300K service gross by utilizing technology, processes
Four months ago, Phil Pecoraro threw out the projection of hitting a service gross of $280,000 at the Murdock CDJR in Bountiful, Utah.
The operating partner rejoined Daily Dealer Live this week, telling host Sam D’Arc that the store blew past that milestone with its best month ever in July at more than $300,000.
Driving the news: Back in May, Pecoraro, who acquired the store a year ago, had set the projection at $280,000.
In July, the store did $105,000 in parts business and another $180,000 in service, for a record month.
A quick word from our partner
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Volkswagen eyes full-size SUVs, pickup truck in major U.S. turnaround push
Volkswagen is digging deeper into efforts to turn around its U.S. operations with a new product strategy centered on full-size SUVs and pickup trucks potentially built in partnership with Ford.
The details: The move is aimed at positioning the German automaker in higher-margin vehicle segments amid mounting pressure from stakeholders to get its U.S. business back on track, according to Reuters.
VW's first pickup truck is expected to hit the market before the end of the decade and be built in the U.S., according to a source.
The automaker currently doesn't offer a pickup truck or full-size SUV in its U.S. lineup, with its largest vehicle being the midsize Atlas.
Chrysler reinvents Pacifica with custom concepts as younger buyers flock to minivans
Stellantis is doubling down on its positioning in the minivan segment, showcasing two custom Pacifica concepts aimed at broadening the vehicle's appeal.
The details: The two custom minivans, revealed at Dodge's Roadkill Nights event this past weekend in Michigan, are designed to showcase how the Pacifica can be personalized to fit different lifestyles.
One concept is a Diamond Black 2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited AWD with the S Appearance Package. The second Pacifica concept, a collaboration between Chrysler and custom van lifestyle community VANkulture.
CarGurus: Used vehicle inventory rises alongside price
Used vehicle inventory hit its highest point in more than three years in July, according to CarGurus, but demand and prices were still both up around 4% from last year.
In the news: Used inventory was up 5.6% from last year in the CarGurus Intelligence Report released Tuesday.
The increased supply came from vehicles three years and younger outpacing 2025’s inventory of newer models, with 1-year-old units making up more than 15% of the market.
Even with the higher prices, used-vehicle demand was 3.7% ahead of last year, with vehicles staying on the lot 68 days, three days less than a year ago.
Car Dealership Guy partners with 800% Automotive Club, expands into dealer leadership development
Earlier this week, Car Dealership Guy announced a strategic partnership with 800% Automotive Club, the leadership development platform founded by entrepreneur and community builder Glenn Lundy.
