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Hey everyone,
If you haven’t heard yet, CDG Circles is here!
This new kind of peer group for dealers was built around one simple idea…
The business has gotten more complex, and no dealer should have to figure it out alone.
So, we quietly launched a few small dealer chat groups with the goal of ending the isolation that costs dealers time, money, and clarity.
Since then, we’ve spent four months talking to dozens of operators—testing, refining, rebuilding.
And now, it’s real.
Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
Nissan under fire after dealer letter slams OEM over profitability and product direction.
Nissan is facing fresh backlash from within its own dealer network.
The details: A new dealer-letter is circulating among franchise owners that accuses the automaker of “corporate greed,” “unattainable objectives,” and a “disconnect from dealer realities.”
It claims factory-set sales targets and KPI bonuses have become so aggressive that many stores are barely profitable, with some resorting to broker or “fleetail” deals just to hit goals.
The letter also blasts Nissan’s shrinking lineup and lack of hybrids, calling the LEAF “a day late and a dollar short” and warning that without new product and fairer targets, dealers may pursue collective legal action.
Bottom line: Nissan told CDG it is aware of and reviewing the letter, however, it’s unclear where things go from here. But it’s safe to say, patience is wearing thin for some dealers.
How one independent dealer is offsetting lost EV incentives with strong service business.
When federal EV tax credits ended, EV Auto CEO Alex Lawrence lost one of his biggest affordability levers… but quickly found another.
His fix: Scale mobile service.
Six months after launch, every truck is booked solid. And now, he’s expanding into Orange County, keeping overhead low and convenience high.
One top of that, Lawrence also offers an unlimited battery warranty on every used EV, confident in the longevity of the technology.
Big picture: As incentives disappear, dealers who treat EV ownership like a lifetime customer relationship (not a one-time sale) will win.
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How Morgan Auto Group built a profitable mobile service operation from the ground up.
Morgan Auto Group’s fixed ops director, Fadi Alzeideh, has cracked the code on turning mobile service from a liability risk into a profit engine.
How it works: Before sending out a single van on the road, Alzeideh built their systems around compliance and accountability, including GPS-tracked vans, insured techs, video MPIs, and same-day repair order reviews.
And each van runs its own P&L, with minimum stop counts, defined zones, and standardized follow-ups.
That structure now supports more than 180 customer visits a month.
The takeaway: With the right approach and documentation, any dealer can scale mobile service safely, earn customer trust, and nurture a sustainable profit center.
Slate Auto leans into independent service shops with RepairPal partnership.
EV startup Slate is tackling two of the biggest EV ownership pain points: service access and charging convenience.
Key details: Slate has partnered with RepairPal’s certified network of over 200 high-voltage-capable shops for accessory installs and maintenance, giving customers certified service options nationwide. For DIY owners, self-install remains available with shop support if needed.
The company also adopted Tesla’s NACS charging standard, unlocking access to the Supercharger network and positioning Slate alongside other major OEMs embracing open charging ecosystems.
At the end of the day, reliable service and convenient charging aren’t flashy, but they’re exactly what every EV startup needs.
Majority of dealers still ‘testing the waters’ with AI, Cox Auto report finds.
Most dealers are still figuring out if AI is worth it, but those who already use it are pulling ahead.
According to Cox Automotive’s 2025 AI Readiness in Auto Retail study, just 15% of dealers have fully integrated AI into their operations. The rest are still experimenting (60%) or waiting to see how it plays out (25%).
But early adopters are seeing measurable payoffs: they’re 50% more likely to report revenue growth and higher efficiency, and 81% say implementation was easier than expected.
The reality: Dealers with a clear, strategic plan are already widening the gap, using automation to grow, cut costs, and stay competitive in a tougher market.
Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?
Presented by:
Benstock on secret integration, Szott on GM dev, CDG on special announcement
Featured guests:
Yossi Levi, Founder of Car Dealership Guy
Brian Benstock, Dealer Principal of Paragon Honda & Acura
Todd Szott, Dealer Partner of Szott Auto Group
How dealers are preparing for another semiconductor chip-driven supply crunch
