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Hey everyone,
Hosting a breakfast at Digital Dealer with Steve Greenfield from Automotive Ventures.
We’ll be sharing industry updates and comparing notes on what we’re seeing across automotive retail.
Generously sponsored by The Shop and Podium.
If you’re around, come join us. Invite below to RSVP.
— CDG
Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
FTC issues alert on scammers spoofing dealers’ sites
The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert Sept. 1, warning of scammers creating spoofs of dealer websites and asking customers to pay up front for vehicles.
The agency said that bad actors are often using AI to clone a real dealer’s website. When this happens, scammers may use a dealer’s logo and vehicle listings, and even create fake testimonials, the FTC warned. Additionally, the agency suggested rare cars are a frequent target of these scams.
Stuckey Automotive launches change to new DMS, CRM to fix tech stack
Feeling like they were missing some opportunities, Wes Lloyd and Spencer Nicholson are leading Stuckey Auto’s fixed ops through a major change in their technology stack.
Lloyd, the service director, and Spencer Nicholson, the fixed ops director, are guiding the seven-store group in Pennsylvania through implementing a new DMS and CRM, while also focusing on strong hiring and customer retention.
Driving the news: In an interview with host Sam D’Arc on Daily Dealer Live, Nicholson explained the need to switch DMS and CRM providers to eliminate inefficiencies from being “stuck” with their communications in the service drive.
After researching options for two years and the executive team meeting with Tekion at NADA, the group elected to change its CRM and DMS after 13 years.
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Stellantis wins $5.4M default judgment against dealership in alleged floorplan fraud lawsuit
Stellantis has been awarded more than $5.4 million in a lawsuit against Sky Auto Mall after the dealership failed to respond to the case involving allegations of breach of contract and fraud.
The details: The judgment was awarded by default to Stellantis Financial Services after Sky Auto Mall failed to respond to the case, according to NBC Channel 7 KWWL. Under the ruling, Stellantis’ financial arm was awarded $4,819,550.42 in principal and $750,265.83 in interest and fees, minus an offset of $69,869.80, court records show.
Kia, Honda report strong August sales as Big Three note weaker performance
With continued strong sales in the hybrid space, Kia and Honda reported solid numbers for August, while Ford, GM and Toyota each saw sales take a step back.
Driving the news: JD Power (1.3 million) and Cox Automotive (1.35 million) predicted August sales to be slightly off the August 2025 numbers (between 5% and 8.5%), which were fueled by the pull-ahead from the expiring clean vehicle tax credits in September 2025.
Stephens, Inc. tallied the final sales for August at 1.38 million, 6.3% off last year’s pace.
AI reshapes auto insurance decisions as 42% of AI shoppers buy a policy
AI usage is growing across all facets of the car-shopping process, with artificial intelligence now playing a key role in auto insurance decisions and insurers’ own tools emerging as a go-to source for consumers, according to JD Power.
A recent study by the insights company found that nearly one-third (29%) of auto and home insurance customers are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to research products and coverage, service their accounts, understand coverage before submitting a claim, or shop for a quote or new policy.
Germain Motor Co. exits Michigan with 3-store sale to Victory Automotive Group
