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Hey everyone,
Dealers. Chat groups. Dealers. Chat groups. Dealers. Chat groups. Dealers. Chat groups.
Are you getting it yet?!
Big announcement tomorrow.
Early reveal here: cdgcircles.com
— CDG
First time reading the CDG Newsletter?
Auto insurance premiums are up 55% since February 2020:
The simple explanation: Everything is more expensive—including vehicle prices, parts, repairs, medical bills, attorneys…you get it.
And when costs rise for insurers, many state commissioners are required, by law, to approve increases.
As a result: More Americans are skipping coverage altogether, and that’s a riskier road for everyone.
(Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics via NPR)
Nissan under fire after dealer letter slams OEM over profitability and product direction
Nissan North America is facing backlash after an anonymous dealer letter accused the automaker of “corporate greed,” unrealistic sales targets, and a product lineup that’s fallen behind competitors.
The note, circulating among Nissan retailers, claims shrinking margins are forcing some stores to rely on broker and “fleetail” deals just to meet objectives, dropping average return on sales below 0.04%. It also calls out gaps in the lineup, citing discontinued sedans, the absence of hybrids, and a new LEAF that is “a day late and a dollar short.”
A Nissan spokesperson told CDG the company is “aware and reviewing” the letter, but did not provide further comment.
Looking ahead: The author urged Nissan to offer financial support, ease targets, and refocus on new product development, warning that collective dealer action, including legal measures, could follow if changes aren’t made.
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How Morgan Auto Group built a profitable mobile service operation from the ground up
Morgan Auto Group is turning mobile service from a high-risk experiment into one of its fastest-growing profit centers by building it like a full department, not a side project.
The details: Before a single van rolled out, fixed ops director Fadi Alzeideh focused on compliance and accountability:
Like pairing each tech with an advisor, tracking vans by GPS, and mirroring in-store safety and reporting standards. That structure now supports more than 180 monthly customers, with each van targeting about $30K in gross.
Alzeideh’s POV: “For any dealer looking to start mobile service, my best advice is simple: treat it like a real department, not a side hustle,” he said. “You need structure, accountability, and consistent targets just like the main shop.”
Slate Auto leans into independent service shops with RepairPal partnership
Slate Auto is skipping the traditional dealership route by partnering with RepairPal to give EV owners access to a certified network of independent shops for maintenance and accessory installs.
The move is part of Slate’s push to make ownership simpler and more flexible, adding 200+ RepairPal locations certified for high-voltage EV work and adopting Tesla’s NACS standard for Supercharger access. Owners can still DIY installations, with certified help on standby if needed.
Zooming out: By expanding service access and streamlining charging, Slate is tackling two of the biggest EV pain points (convenience and coverage) while positioning itself as a customer-first alternative to legacy automakers.
Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?
Presented by:
AWS outage, Langham on growth strategy, Ortega on creative, Dean on BDC evolution
Featured guests:
Jami Langham, COO of Coleman Automotive Group
Brian Ortega, Creative Director at Valley Hi Toyota
Brittney Dean, Sales Business Development Manager at Van Horn
