Napleton Automotive tops digital response rankings, Ford scraps 2025 outlook, Tariff gains flow to nonunion states

Hey everyone. Just dropped a new episode of the CDG Podcast with Brad Wise—executive manager at Ferman Chevrolet Mazda.

We dug into his push to sell 900 cars a month, why he’s handing out cash five times a day to his service crew, and how he’s protecting his team from culture-killers he calls “energy vampires.”

Live 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.

Hyundai and Kia just posted their best April to date:

And it marks seven straight record-setting months for both brands.

• Hyundai (81,503 vehicles): up 19% YoY

• Kia (74,805 vehicles): up 14% YoY

The key drivers?

Along with their popular crossovers (Tucson) and sedans (K4), sales of "electrified" vehicles increased 25% at Hyundai and 21% at Kia (with hybrids doing the majority of the heavy-lifting).

(Data source: Hyundai / Kia)

1. Napleton Automotive Group ranks #1 in digital lead response four years in a row

Napleton Automotive just clinched the top spot (for the fourth year running) in Pied Piper’s Internet Lead Effectiveness study.

The edge: speed, specificity, and multi-channel follow-up.

We’re talking hitting 96% of web inquiries with a call inside 24 hours, and 75% within just 15 minutes. Oh, and answering questions via text 73% of the time.

Meanwhile, groups that slipped in the rankings sent fewer texts, gave weaker answers, and lost traction with shoppers.

Big picture: Buyers form opinions before they show up. And with stats like these, it’s safe to say Napleton is probably closing deals before its competition even picks up the phone…

(Go deeper: 4 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. Ford pulls 2025 guidance, expects $1.5B tariff hit this year

Ford just flipped its tone on tariffs, pulling 2025 guidance and bracing for a $1.5B hit this year.

Leadership cited near-term risks and potential supply chain disruption, projecting a 500K unit drop in total U.S. auto sales.

Q1 beat expectations, but revenue still dipped 5%, and EV losses remain steep despite narrowing from last year.

Bottom line: The early optimism is gone. Ford’s about-face signals deeper trouble ahead if tariffs continue to tighten.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Call Center Frustrations, Nissan Kills Some Dealer Incentives, US Auto Sales Recalibrate ft. Chad Cunningham, Andy Wright

Watch here

3. Tariff-fueled auto investments are bypassing union strongholds like Michigan

The states seeing the biggest auto investment gains from tariffs aren’t the union strongholds many expected.

What we know: While the UAW backed tariffs to protect American jobs, much of the new money is landing in nonunion, right-to-work states, per Bloomberg.

• Hyundai, for example, is investing $21B in U.S. manufacturing—focused on Alabama and Georgia—with 14,000 new full-time jobs.

• Mercedes is expanding its Alabama plant.

• And Honda’s putting over $1B into its nonunion Ohio facilities.

The signal: Tariffs were pitched as a win for union labor, but the biggest gains are going elsewhere, reshaping the industry without strengthening the UAW’s foothold.

(Go deeper: 3 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.