Slate Auto’s bold $25K EV, California EPA rule under fire, Alabama dealer wins big

Hey everyone. Just dropped a sharp new episode of the CDG Podcast with JR Toothman, dealer principal at Toothman Ford—breaking down how he’s quietly 4x’ing used car sales.

We also got into his secret sourcing playbook, the hailstorm that sparked his biggest sales day ever, and the strategy that’s fueling his used car empire.

Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

— CDG

Despite the noise, dealer expectations for profitability are surprisingly stable:

And while operators aren’t panicking, they aren’t sitting around waiting for a better market either…

They’re working with the one they have by running lean, thinking sharp, and staying disciplined.

(Data source: Car Dealership Guy Dealer Outlook Survey Q2 2025)

And in Mian’s mind, that kind of stability offers real edge in this market…

1. Opinion: Slate Auto’s new EV pickup is affordable, customizable, and way cooler than I expected

Slate Auto wasn’t even on my radar a month ago.

But now, they’ve dropped a $25K EV truck that’s grabbing attention for what it doesn’t include. And I can’t stop thinking about it.

No paint. No touchscreens. No power windows. Just a blank slate.

It’s a bold play: go radically simple, strip out the bloat, and pass the savings back to the buyer.

My take? It’s the most interesting EV story in a long time—not because it’s flashy, but because it dares to be different. And if this catches on, the industry may have to admit that buyers don’t always want more. Sometimes, they just want enough.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

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2. Auto industry group asks Congress to repeal California’s EV rule

The battle over EV mandates is heating up in Washington.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation—representing the Detroit Three and more—is urging Congress to overturn California’s 2035 gas car ban, now adopted by 12 states.

The group argues the rule, layered on top of 25% tariffs, will drive up prices, shrink buyer choice, and stall fleet turnover.

At the center of the fight is a federal waiver that lets California set its own emissions rules—something the auto lobby wants Congress to revoke.

Bottom line: If this repeal gains steam, it won’t just unwind a state policy—it could reset the EV timeline entirely. And for automakers and dealers already navigating policy whiplash, it makes long-term planning even harder.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

3. Howard Bentley Buick GMC’s small-town charm is winning big

Staying on top of a dealer network is tough—doing it from a small town in Alabama?

Even tougher.

But Howard Bentley Buick GMC just pulled it off for the 10th straight year, earning GM’s Dealer of the Year award for 2024.

• Based in Albertville (pop. <25K), the family-run store draws buyers from across the country with its “Crystal Clear Pricing” strategy, standout service, and deep local roots.

• In 2024 alone, the dealership donated over $200K to community causes—and Dealer Principal Taylor Bentley Conner was named Citizen of the Year.

Big picture: Ten years of dominance isn’t luck—it’s a masterclass in consistent execution, community focus, and doing the basics better than anyone else.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

• Trump team signals rollback on some tariffs to reduce pain for suffering auto industry

• GM reports strong 1Q profit but says tariffs cloud earnings guidance

• Tariffs could spike costs for domestic automakers by $108B

• Why American automakers need foreign competitors

• Auto suppliers tangle in $25M lawsuit after Ram cancels electric heavy-duty truck

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG

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