U.S. auto sales recalibrate, Mercedes adds new model in Alabama, Tesla poised to gain tariff edge

Hey everyone. Huge news.

Toyota’s former COO Jack Hollis is coming on the CDG Podcast.

30+ years inside one of the *most disciplined* car companies in the world.

Gonna be a sharp one. Drop your best Qs.

— CDG

Welcome to the Daily Dealer a concise rundown of the most important automotive industry headlines that matter to car dealers, automakers, and industry insiders.

New vehicle sales are forecasted to rise 10.5% YoY in April:

And that demand was mostly driven by 139,000 accelerated purchases from buyers trying to lock in pricing before tariff costs trickle down.

But that urgency has faded faaaaast.

42.1% of consumers from the latest CDG Survey say they’re now “somewhat or much less likely” to buy a car—compared to 38.8% who say their plans haven’t changed.

The next 90 days will be very telling…

(Data source: JD Power / Car Dealership Guy)

1. U.S. auto sales are recalibrating after tariff-fueled frenzy

April U.S. auto sales are in—and while the tariff-fueled urgency of March has faded, the market’s still holding steady.

• Hyundai and Kia both hit record Aprils, up 19% and 14% YoY.

• Acura jumped 33% and even topped March volumes.

• Ford posted a 16.2% YoY gain, while GM rose 20%, driven by strong truck sales.

Less chaos, more clarity.

Looking to May: March’s rush is over—but the dust hasn’t settled. And in a market still finding its footing, it’s clear: sharp positioning and steady execution are what’s breaking through.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

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2. Mercedes to add ‘core’ new vehicle to Alabama plant

Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on U.S. manufacturing, with plans to build a new “core” vehicle in Alabama by 2027.

The Tuscaloosa plant already produces about 260K vehicles a year—and this move brings production even closer to U.S. buyers.

The downside: Mercedes just pulled its 2025 earnings outlook, warning that tariffs could hit demand, margins, and cash flow.

It’s a clear shift in the brand’s long-term play—but it doesn’t solve for the short-term cost of staying competitive in a shifting trade environment…

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

3. Tesla to benefit most from tariff relief, says Wall Street analyst

Tesla may be the quiet winner in the latest U.S. auto tariff shift.

With 85–90% of its supply chain based in the U.S., the company meets key content thresholds that could shield it from penalties.

Analysts say the Detroit 3 are stuck navigating red tape, while Tesla clears the bar with the Model 3 and Model Y.

Zooming out: The White House denies favoritism—but even with a tariff edge, Tesla’s path back to long-term dominance won’t be won on supply chain alone.

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG

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