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Hey everyone. Good news: After a crazy Southern snow storm—it looks like the New Orleans airport is clearing up for all afternoon flights today.
Safe travels to all you conference goers, and see you soon at the 2025 NADA Show.
— CDG
1. New car spending to set January record on incentives, inventory gains
New car sales are poised to kick off 2025 with a bang—defying January's typical sales slump.
J.D. Power reports that consumers are set to spend a record-breaking $38.5 billion on new vehicles this month, a 5.3% increase from last year.
New vehicle retail sales are projected to reach 904,200 units, up 4.8% year-over-year, pushing the seasonally adjusted annual rate to 15.6 million units.
And stronger inventories have led to more aggressive discounting, with manufacturer incentives jumping 29.3% to an average of $3,226 per vehicle.
Bottom line: the overall health of the new vehicle market appears strong, and rising sales fueled by increased discounts are expected to continue throughout 2025 … (Go deeper: 2 min. read)
2. Stellantis expands U.S. production, will build new Dodge Durango in Detroit
Driving the news: Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge and Jeep, has announced that the next-generation Dodge Durango will be built in Detroit, alleviating concerns from the United Auto Workers union about potential production in Canada.
Additionally, Stellantis will revive its shuttered plant in Belvidere, Illinois, to produce a new Dodge pickup truck, bringing hope to a community impacted by the previous closure.
While Stellantis hasn't explicitly linked its choices to these potential tariffs, the timing is noteworthy. Stellantis Chairman John Elkann recently met with Trump and top officials, reaffirming the company's commitment to expanding its U.S. manufacturing base … (Go deeper: 2 min. read)
Ikon Technologies was founded by dealers, for dealers, to solve the daily challenges your dealership faces.
Our no-cost Lot Management Platform, with Find the Car, Find the Keys™ technology, makes finding inventory easy, while our Dealer-branded Connect app drives customer loyalty and revenue.
At Ikon, we’re more than a tech provider—we’re your partner. Schedule a demo today to see how Ikon Technologies can help drive your dealership’s success.
3. Impel partners with Ford to bring enhanced AI to dealers nationwide
This partnership aims to tackle a longstanding challenge: making better use of customer data to improve service and boost sales.
By connecting Impel's AI to Ford's Customer Journey Platform, dealerships are aiming to offer a more personalized experience for car shoppers and owners.
And if successful—Ford's initiative could pave the way for wider AI adoption among automakers.
However, the impact of this technological shift on dealership jobs remains a topic of debate … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)
NADA Show changes New Orleans convention schedule because of weather.
GM reveals new performance Cadillac Lyriq as it plans to lead EV luxury sales in 2025.
Ram cancels long-range version of EV pickup.
Transportation pick Duffy wins full approval from Senate panel.
Trump's end to "EV mandate" could weaken automakers against China.
Did you enjoy this edition of the Daily Dealer newsletter?
Thanks for reading everyone.
— CDG
