Sutherlin Auto's service lane edge, Stellantis swaps CEO, OKC dealer leans into high-mileage cars

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Welcome to The Weekly, your go-to roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week. Let’s dive in.

1. Jeep parent Stellantis selects insider Antonio Filosa as New CEO

Antonio Filosa, a 25-year company veteran and Stellantis North America COO, will become the automaker’s global CEO on June 23 following Carlos Tavares’ resignation in December.

And Filosa’s already been cleaning house. The executive is slashing dealer inventory, reshuffling leadership, and trying to fix broken relationships after dealers publicly blasted the company last fall.

But the real test ahead is tariffs. With 40% of U.S. volume built in Canada and Mexico, new trade rules could wipe out 17% of annual profits for the automaker.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

2. Paul LaFontaine grows Michigan footprint with CDJR acquisition

Paul LaFontaine has acquired LaLonde CDJR in Imlay City, rebranding it and creating a multi-brand campus just down the road from his family’s Ford store.

All three of his children (Arie, Alex, and Sophie) will take on leadership roles at the new 35,000 sq-ft location, continuing a 35-year legacy in the community.

Looking ahead: LaFontaine has already added a used lot, repaved the entryways, and retained most of the existing staff—positioning the group as a dominant player in town.

(Go deeper: 1 min. read)

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3. No auctions, no problem: How Sutherlin Auto uses service lanes to source 350 used cars every month

While other dealers chase used inventory at auction, Brett Sutherlin is pulling 350 cars a month from his own service lanes.

At his Toyota store in Montgomery, nearly every car coming in for service gets an automated appraisal before the customer even arrives. When the customer checks in, the advisor already has a printed offer ready to go.

And it’s working. Advisors present the offers, earn full commission on the repair even if the car is traded in, and collect a $200 bonus for every acquisition.

The result: Local, well-maintained cars with built-in stories—no auctions, no transport fees, no surprises.

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

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

At Classic OKC, Dorian Jimenez isn’t chasing pristine trades.

Instead, his team targets structurally sound, high-mileage vehicles that pass safety inspection. He fixes what’s needed, and keeps the margin in-house by driving work through their own shop, parts, and collision center.

The playbook: Use social media to target sellers under $25K, and offer real appraisals on the spot in the service drive.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?

Auto brands reputation power ranking, GM doubles down on V8, Ford recalls 1M+ vehicles, and more.

This episode is brought to you by: Lotlinx

Featuring:

• Tully Williams, Fixed Operations Director at the Niello Company

• David Long, Executive General Manager of Hansel Automotive Group

5. Ford recalls 1M+ vehicles over software glitch in rear cameras

Ford’s facing yet another recall, and this time, it’s 1 million+ vehicles over a glitchy rearview camera.

The issue: A software bug can freeze the camera image in reverse, affecting models across the lineup, from the Bronco and F-150 to the Mustang and Navigator. Most fixes will roll out via over-the-air updates.

Zooming out: Software-based recalls are becoming the norm. A decade ago, just 12% of U.S. recalls involved software. Now, it’s nearly 25%.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

Three opportunities hitting the CDG Job Board right now:

• Connected Dealer Services: Manager of Field Operations (Texas)

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• How Ourisman Auto cuts ad spend by $100 per unit and unlocks $2.5M in profit

• Nissan eyes U.S. battery deal to keep EV rollout on track.

• Consumer confidence keeps car sales on track—for now.

• Former MLB star C.J. Wilson breaks ground on luxury auto campus in California.

• GM adjusts powertrain plans to reflect market demand and infrastructure limits

That’s a wrap for now – make sure you’re following along on X, LinkedIn and IG for more real-time updates.

Thanks for reading. Hit reply and let me know if you found The Weekly valuable or have any feedback. I’ll see you next weekend.

— CDG

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