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Hey everyone,
We’ve got three fresh roles on the CDG Job Board:
Kia Automotive Technician — Habberstad Automotive Group (NY)
Finance Manager — Gettel Automotive Group (FL)
Office Manager — Scherer Automotive (IL)
Give them a look if you’re exploring your next move, or pass it along to someone who is.
— CDG
First time reading a CDG Newsletter?
The average vehicle loses ~42% of its value over five years:
However, some models aren’t even close.
Porsche 718 Cayman → ~10%
Toyota Tacoma → ~20%
Honda Civic → ~23%
Not exactly surprising names, but it’s a reminder that a small group of vehicles consistently plays by a different set of rules when it comes to value.
(Data source: iSeeCars)
Rohrman's Jeremy Nowling on Amazon Autos: 'What do you have to lose?'
Rohrman Auto Group recently launched all 20 of its Illinois and Indiana rooftops on Amazon Autos and has already closed its first deal: a Chicago-area buyer who completed the transaction in the app and drove to the Schaumburg location for delivery.
Director Jeremy Nowling frames it less as Amazon vs. third-party listing sites and more as Amazon vs. Carvana, arguing that dealers who build storefronts and earn reviews now will have a meaningful head start as end-to-end digital purchasing becomes more mainstream.
His POV: "You keep all your profits on the financing, the products, and the vehicle. So what do you have to lose?"
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Ford recalls 250,000+ SUVs as mounting callbacks raise dealer concerns
Ford recalled more than 250,000 SUVs yesterday, including the Explorer, Lincoln Navigator, Nautilus, and Aviator, over a software issue that can cause an unexpected reset of ADAS features like pre-collision assist, lane-keeping, and blind-spot monitoring.
The fix will come via dealer visit or OTA update, but the recall adds to the staggering 7.3M+ vehicles recalled by Ford in just the first 61 days of 2026.
Big picture: Dealers can handle individual recalls, but the volume and frequency of Ford’s callbacks could pose a broader challenge as continued recall activity begins to weigh on customer confidence and showroom momentum.
Mexico pushes for zero auto tariffs ahead of USMCA talks
Mexico has made eliminating U.S. tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminum its top priority as formal bilateral trade discussions with the U.S. opened in Washington last week ahead of the USMCA's July 2026 review.
The stakes are high on both sides. Mexico currently pays 0% on USMCA-compliant vehicles and 25% on non-compliant ones, and automakers from GM to Toyota have urged the Trump administration to preserve the agreement, given how deeply integrated North American supply chains are.
What we’re watching: Trump has signaled skepticism toward USMCA as recently as January, leaving the outcome and its downstream effects on vehicle pricing and inventory genuinely uncertain.
April lease returns: Where values are diverging + how operators are sourcing around them
