Presented by:
Hey everyone,
Today, we officially announce CDG Companies (!)
Car Dealership Guy started as a media brand. But over time, it naturally expanded into a broader ecosystem—private dealer communities, recruiting, content production, and live experiences.
Now, CDG Companies simply puts a clean structure around what we've been building for years.
And the mission remains the same:
To help dealers learn, grow, and connect so they can thrive in a changing industry.
— CDG
Lexus has just set a new U.S. annual sales record:
In 2025, Lexus sold 370,260 vehicles, up 7.1% year-over-year.
How it happened:
A growing lineup of gas-electric hybrids
Crossovers/SUVs now make up more than 80% of the brand’s volume
And more motivated buyers
Yet, some dealers are having a hard time keeping inventory in stock as production capacity continues to be a challenge.
(Data source: Lexus / Bloomberg)
Car Dealership Guy launches parent company to power its expanding ecosystem
Car Dealership Guy just launched CDG Companies, a parent company that pulls together everything CDG has quietly been building beyond media — private dealer communities, recruiting, content, and live events — all under one roof.
Per CDG, as the audience grew, dealers started using its resources for more than news:
Think…comparing notes, hiring talent, sharing real numbers, and meeting in person.
Now, the goal stays the same: Cut through the noise, keep the conversations real, and build things dealers actually use, without sacrificing trust.
A quick word from our partner
New year. More opportunities captured.
This year, stop missing calls and start capturing real revenue. Whether customers call or text, Mia answers instantly, books appointments automatically, and never lets an opportunity slip – 24/7/365.
From day one, Mia delivers:
50%+ more appointments
$50K+ in new monthly revenue
70+ staff hours saved
No voicemails. No lost leads. Just more conversations turned into revenue.
See Mia in action at mia.inc.
CDG Subscriber Bonus: Get your first month free – just mention CDG when you sign up.
Record share of new-car buyers sign on for $1,000+ monthly payments
In Q4, over 20% of new-car shoppers signed up for $1,000+ monthly payments, the highest share on record, per Edmunds.
And here’s why:
Prices are high, rates are still elevated, and fees keep creeping up, so buyers are stretching loans longer, with 84-month terms doing more of the work.
That math keeps payments alive in the moment, but it pushes total cost and risk further down the road.
Big picture: The new-car market is increasingly being carried by higher-income buyers, while households under $150K are quietly bowing out.
Hyundai Chair accelerates AI, robotics push as ‘conditions get tough’
With tariffs, trade tension, and tougher competition piling up, Hyundai is expecting 2026 to bring real operational pressure, not just noise.
That’s why the company is accelerating its investment in AI, robotics, and factory automation, and openly admitting it’s behind some of its rivals in the AI race.
The plan: Spend aggressively and partner smarter, using its scale in vehicles, factories, and data to close the gap.
Missed the 100th episode of Daily Dealer Live?
Presented by:
Pharr on Recruiting, Ferri on Inbound Challenges, Westrum on Team Dev
Featured guests:
Scott Pharr, COO/Partner of P4 Automotive
Stephane Ferri, CEO of Car Wars
Micah Westrum, General Manager of Ramsey Mazda
