Top dealership M&A deals, used car sales climb, Sean Duffy nominated for Transportation Secretary

Hey everyone. A.I. is sneaking into car dealerships — and transforming the business.

But what does harnessing the real power of A.I. actually mean?

Leigh Ann Conver, Senior Director of CDK Data Services, explains it all on today’s episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast.

You can stream the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple.

— CDG

Ford is facing a massive inventory challenge:

Of over 200,000 trucks on dealer lots today, just under 1,000 are 2025 models.

Meanwhile, 5,063 of those trucks are still “new” 2023s — a somewhat troubling sign for the automaker this late in the year...

But for consumers waiting on the sidelines — Ford’s excess inventory will likely lead to deeper year-end discounts and bring more buyers into the fold.

(Data source: CarEdge)

1. Sheehy Auto Stores acquires 2 MD dealerships, Fred Beans expands in PA

The dealership buy/sell market remains active this fall, with several noteworthy transactions reshaping the East Coast and beyond.

Toyota stores, always a hot commodity, changed hands in Maryland, West Virginia, and Texas, signaling continued demand for the brand.

Fred Beans Automotive expanded its reach in Pennsylvania, while Sutherlin Automotive exited Florida as part of a broader strategy shift.

Tasca Automotive is also making waves with acquisitions across multiple states, including Audi and Toyota stores … (Go deeper: 4 min. read)

2. Used car market sees higher sales and lower market days’ supply in Oct.

Used vehicle sales climbed nearly 7% in Oct., while inventory levels saw a modest increase, according to Cox Automotive.

• Market days’ supply for used vehicles dropped to 45 days going into Nov., signaling strong demand, especially for lower-cost options.

• Sub-$15,000 vehicles are becoming increasingly scarce, with only 33 days’ supply — well below the industry average.

Meanwhile, the average listing price rose to $25,499, showing the continued affordability challenges for consumers … (Go deeper: 2 min. read)

Outdated payment systems are draining dealership profits.

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Our cutting-edge technology streamlines payments across your entire operation, from the service department to the cashier’s office. Say goodbye to hidden fees and manual work, and hello to detailed reporting, seamless integrations, and built-in compliance features.

Stop letting inefficient processors eat into your profits. With Dealer Pay, you’ll save time, cut costs, and boost financial performance—guaranteed.

Dealer Pay isn’t just another terminal; it’s the smarter way to manage payments across your entire operation.

3. Former Wisc. rep and Fox News host to be Transportation Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former congressman and Fox News host Sean Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation in his upcoming term.

Duffy, who served eight years in Congress and worked on major infrastructure projects, brings experience from both politics and media to the role.

If confirmed, he would succeed Pete Buttigieg, whose tenure focused on leveraging federal funding for infrastructure and strengthening consumer protections in air travel … (Go deeper: 3 min. read)

• U.S. opens two new probes into Ford recalls after settlement.

• Hyundai faces investigation after three workers die in car test.

• Xiaomi raises delivery target yet again for its new EV, as ‘demand surges.’

• Mercedes CLA EV will have both Tesla NACS and CCS plugs.

• Toyota to begin testing hydrogen-electric hybrid vans in 2025.

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG