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Hey everyone,
If you’ve kept reading any of our newsletters/articles/social posts through the holidays and the end-of-year craziness, we really appreciate it. Truly.
We’ve got some great newsletters dropping through year-end, like data lookbacks, predictions, year-in-review breakdowns, and more.
And if this was forwarded your way, make sure you’re subscribed so everything lands right in your inbox.
— CDG
Welcome to The Weekly, a roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week.
Wholesale used car prices edge higher in November as depreciation levels out
Wholesale used-car prices ticked slightly higher in November, reversing some of October’s dip and showing early signs that depreciation is starting to level out.
Cox Automotive’s Manheim Index inched up to 205.4, a 1.3% gain after adjusting for mix, mileage, and seasonality, with luxury and EV segments doing most of the lifting.
New and used retail activity also firmed up through the month, helped by easing APRs and a small bump in consumer confidence as broader economic uncertainty began to fade. Segment performance was mixed year over year, but rising EV and luxury pricing stood out as the biggest movers.
Zooming out: The used market is finding its footing again, and dealers will want to watch inventory and pricing closely…especially in the EV and luxury lanes where momentum is strongest.
How Pohanka Auto Group is making “no appointment needed” work in fixed ops
One standout moment from this week’s Daily Dealer Live came from Pohanka Auto Group, which broke down how its “no appointment needed” approach has become a fixed ops advantage.
Here’s how it works:
Advisors set expectations the second a car hits the lane, telling customers what the day looks like and what options they have.
From there, loaner fleets, rideshare partnerships, and a no-surprises workflow keep convenience intact even on heavy days.
And every tech and advisor is trained on video MPIs and sales-style communication, so customers see the work clearly and approvals move faster.
Because, as VP Tim Pohanka puts it, “Your car doesn’t break on an appointment, so why should you have to come in on an appointment?”
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700Credit races to contain fallout from massive data exposure
700Credit is moving quickly to contain the impact of a data exposure affecting 5.6 million consumers.
What we know: The incident began when a partner’s system was compromised, which allowed attackers to send automated requests through a 700Credit API and pull customer information tied to valid IDs.
The company says its production systems were never accessed, and current findings point to the issue being isolated to that partner integration.
Big picture: Dealers are now receiving branded notices, helplines, and clear guidance to manage customer communication. But the moment is also likely to spark fresh attention on vendor oversight and data-security readiness across the retail side.
Transparency, convenience, and fun guide Steele Auto Group's video-driven sales process
Another standout segment on this week’s Daily Dealer Live came from Steele Auto Group as Variable Ops Director Roy Davila walked through how he’s turning video into a core part of the sales experience.
Per Davila: Managers now send two videos for every appointment, which has tightened confirmations and boosted show rates across the stores.
Even better, to get salespeople contributing, he introduced “test drive karaoke,” a low-lift way to get reps on camera and create content customers actually share.
Big picture: All of it ties back to his broader philosophy of controlling the customer experience through transparency, convenience, and a little bit of fun.
High-income shoppers and SUVs will keep new-car market humming into 2026, predicts Edmunds
Edmunds expects the new-car market to hold steady in 2026, with higher-income shoppers and the continued shift toward SUVs keeping sales near this year’s pace.
Prices are projected to hover around $50,000, and buyers aren’t expected to pay over MSRP, which Edmunds says should help the market stay balanced.
On top of that, lower interest rates and a wave of more affordable EVs could also support demand as the year unfolds. And luxury loyalty remains strong, reinforcing the role of higher-priced segments in carrying volume.
Looking ahead: 2026 looks steady but still expensive, and dealers who intentionally plan for that mix will be best positioned.
Missed yesterday’s episode of Daily Dealer Live?
Presented by:
Raymond on GM talent strategy, Strosnider on buying used inventory
Featured guests:
Gerry Raymond, President of Gerry Raymond Automotive
Kevin Strosnider, Dealer Operator of Stronsnider Chevrolet
