OKC dealer turns high-mileage cars into profit, Dodge scales back EV rollout, Mercedes shifts jobs to Atlanta

Hey everyone. Quick heads up…

Tomorrow marks episode 10 (!!) of Daily Dealer Live. And while we’ve only been airing for a few weeks, the feedback and energy have been unreal.

From live Q&As to guest drop-ins, you’re helping us do what we do best: break down auto retail brick by brick, with no fluff.

If you’re new, catch up here. And if you’ve been with us, let’s keep it rolling.

— 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.

Since peaking in 2022, wholesale EV values have dropped 26% to around $25K:

It’s a classic market correction. Supply caught up with demand, and volatility finally leveled out.

Now, it puts many used EVs just within reach of the federal tax credit—right as lawmakers are trying to kill it.

But until then, there are still deals to be made.

(Data source: Manheim)

1. Oklahoma dealership embraces higher-mileage used cars: 'we had to change our mindset'

At Classic OKC, Dorian Jimenez is retailing cars that most dealers wouldn’t touch.

High mileage? No problem, because if it passes safety, it’s getting fixed, frontlined, and sold.

How it works: His team sources direct from the service lane, sweetens the deal with $200 advisor bonuses, and targets local sellers under $25K.

The payoff: Up to 10 extra units a week, without setting foot in an auction lane. And in a market this lean, every unit you find before the auction is a win.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Courtesy transportation is no longer a nice-to-have.

It’s a need-to-have.

That’s why 80% of dealership respondents agree that providing courtesy rides with Uber has helped retain customers, based on Uber’s survey of 79 organizations in 2023.

With Central, you can request an Uber ride on behalf of your customers, even if they don’t have the Uber app. Car dealerships love using Uber because it’s a simple way to offer white-glove customer service, supplement loaner cars or shuttles, and manage parts pickup and delivery.

• Dealers can request one-way or round-trip rides, add multiple riders and locations, set spend caps, and even monitor trips in real time.

• Plus, you'll get monthly reports to keep track of everything.

If you’re ready to reduce the costs associated with maintaining shuttles and limit the liability of loaner vehicles, it's time to partner with Uber for Business.

Visit t.uber.com/CDGauto today to learn more.

2. Dodge scales back charger EV rollout as dealers slash prices to move units

Dodge is pumping the brakes on its all-electric Charger.

The base R/T is scrapped for 2026, dealer discounts are hitting $32K, and U.S. tariffs are piling 25% onto Canadian-built models.

Add in the looming loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit, and Stellantis is rethinking the whole rollout.

Bottom line: The muscle EV era isn’t dead—but without incentives and a clearer value story, Dodge could lose more than just momentum.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

3. Mercedes-Benz has big plans for Atlanta in 2026

Mercedes-Benz is officially making Atlanta its U.S. home base.

The automaker will move 500 high-tech and corporate roles from Michigan to Georgia by 2026, consolidating R&D, financial services, and customer lifecycle teams under one roof.

The relocation taps into Atlanta’s engineering talent and startup ecosystem, with institutions like Georgia Tech playing a key role.

Bottom line: Detroit might be losing another HQ, but Atlanta is gaining a deeper foothold as a rising tech and auto hub.

(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.