Mitsubishi to launch BEV in 2026, UAW pushes for more U.S. production, and today's rare EV buying opportunity

Hey everyone. New CDG Podcast just went live with Jimmy Douglas, CEO of Plug.

We break down why most dealers are missing the used EV wave, what happens to value after 60 days on the lot, and why cars are getting shipped 800 miles on average just to move.

Catch it now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

— CDG

Welcome to the Daily Dealer a concise rundown of the most important automotive industry headlines that matter to car dealers, automakers, and industry insiders.

Carvana just blew past Q1 expectations:

The online retailer raked in $4.23B in revenue, $373M in net income, and moved nearly 134,000 vehicles (up 46% YoY)—setting new records across the board.

And while used car prices are rising, CEO Ernie Garcia isn’t sweating it…

He says any tariff-driven demand swings are already smoothing out.

Looking ahead: From survival mode to scale mode, Carvana’s now targeting 3 million sales annually in the next 5-10 years.

(Data source: Carvana)

1. Mitsubishi taps Nissan Alliance to launch 2026 BEV

Mitsubishi just confirmed its first U.S.-bound BEV, landing summer 2026 and built on Nissan’s next-gen LEAF platform.

It’s the second move in the brand’s Momentum 2030 plan—which promises one new or revamped model every year through the decade.

And by tapping Nissan’s tech and North American production, Mitsubishi is unlocking speed to market and a hedge against tariffs, without starting from scratch.

Big picture: It’s a smart, low-risk foothold in a market still split between gas, hybrid, and EV demand.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Want insider knowledge on the most up to date trends in auto retail?

The Haig Report® is auto retail's longest-published and most-trusted quarterly report tracking trends and their impact on dealership values. Since 2014, this report has delivered analysis on dealership performance, market trends, and franchise valuations—offering a clear view of opportunities and challenges in automotive retail.

Join the leaders in the industry who rely on the Haig Report® for:

• Exclusive insights into dealership values and valuation trends

• Franchise insights and outlooks on brand desirability

• Market trends to help you make informed business decisions

• The only report to publish blue sky values every quarter.

Looking to grow your portfolio or explore dealership investments? Join our exclusive buyer and investor database—scan the QR code above or visit haigpartners.com/buyerdatabase.

2. UAW: U.S. auto industry running 4.5 million vehicles below capacity

The U.S. auto industry has the capacity to build nearly 15 million vehicles a year—but it’s running 4.5 million short.

That’s according to a new UAW report, which says hitting full capacity could create 90,000 manufacturing jobs and ripple out to over 600,000 across the broader economy.

The union points to underused Big Three and VW plants as the core of the gap, with some running at barely 50% capacity.

Big picture: Tariffs may aim to boost domestic production—but until the economics shift, automakers aren’t flipping the switch.

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

Ford price hikes, Toyota Turns to Instagram, ft. CEO of Slate Auto

Watch here

3. Policy uncertainty creates "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to buy an EV, Says J.D. Power

J.D. Power says this may be a once-in-a-lifetime window to buy an EV—with the $7,500 federal tax credit likely on the chopping block.

Right now, the average BEV costs $45,600—just $500 more than a gas car—but if the credit disappears, prices could spike past $51K, even higher with new tariffs.

There are 137,000 eligible EVs sitting on dealer lots, and mass market EV sales jumped 58% last year as buyers took advantage.

Big picture: Dealers looking to clear inventory and buyers looking for value both have the same message—move now, before the rules change.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG

Want to advertise with CDG? Click here.

Want to be considered as a guest on the CDG podcast? Right this way.

Want to pitch a story for the newsletter? Share it here.