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Hey everyone,
2026 is going to be Car Dealership Guy’s biggest year yet.
On this New Year’s Day episode of the CDG Podcast, Yossi Levi, founder and CEO of CDG, shares how an anonymous Twitter account turned into a full‑stack media and services platform, why dealer feedback sits at the center of every product, and what’s coming next in 2026.
— CDG
First time reading a CDG Newsletter?
Covert recordings reveal depths of Tricolor's auto lending deceit
Earlier this month, CDG News reported on federal charges accusing former Tricolor Holdings executives of running a years-long fraud scheme.
The intrigue: And a batch of secretly-recorded phone calls, exposed in the 20-page federal indictment, provide a clearer picture of what prosecutors say happened internally at the subprime auto lender and used car retailer once things began to unravel.
Former CEO Daniel Chu allegedly discussed various lies his co-conspirators could tell to explain away the manipulated data.
These conversations were secretly recorded by an "unnamed participant" and at times, multiple unnamed participants, according to the indictment.
The filings also suggest the company explored using AI tools to help shape its messaging, including reviewing past legal cases to frame responses to lenders as scrutiny intensified.
Big picture: The case offers a rare look inside how pressure builds when funding tightens, and how quickly things can unravel when lenders lose trust.
A quick word from our partner
A 10-Minute Demo That Unlocks the Best Night at NADA
If you’re already going to the 2026 NADA Show, you might as well get invited to the best night of the week.
DAS Technology is hosting a private party at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and the only way to get a pass is by booking a short demo at Booth #1311W.
You’ll see how DAS uses AI and data to improve lead response, service retention, and marketing ROI, then enjoy a night with Daymond John, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and NFL legends Tim Brown and Brandon Marshall.
Don’t miss once-in-a-lifetime experiences like attempting a field goal and ziplining across a professional football field!
Amazon Autos used car sales draw scrutiny as lawmakers push recall reform
A group of U.S. senators is calling out the company for listing used vehicles with open safety recalls on Amazon Autos (even though that practice is technically legal today).
The details: In a letter to CEO Andy Jassy, lawmakers argued that telling shoppers to “check NHTSA’s website” for recalls on VIN listings puts too much burden on consumers, especially when the vehicles are being marketed alongside everyday household purchases.
This comes as Amazon continues to expand its auto footprint.
What started with new Hyundai sales has grown into used-car listings, financing options, and deeper dealer integrations, putting Amazon squarely in the middle of the retail auto ecosystem.
The elephant in the room: The senators pushing back are also backing legislation that would ban the sale of used vehicles with open recalls altogether. Calling out Amazon publicly helps frame the issue as a safety concern rather than a regulatory gray area.
CDG's top 5 auto industry stories of 2025
Tariffs, EV whiplash, the hybrid renaissance, and tougher state rules massively shifted how dealers make money and manage risk in the foreseeable future.
The top stories CDG News covered in 2025:
Tariffs reset the playing field.
EV momentum cooled faster than expected.
Hybrids quietly became the stabilizer.
Despite the noise, 2025 new-car sales held up.
Regulation is becoming the next pressure point.
