The third-quarter earnings season delivered a clear message to auto dealerships: the era of easy, outsized profits from new-vehicle sales is fading. With a slowing economy squeezing middle-market affordability, elevated interest rates cooling the sales pace, and lingering cost pressures from tariffs, the financial heavy lifting must now shift decisively. The only logical, sustainable, and […] [Read More]

Like a roller coaster at a state fair, wholesale vehicle values descended rapidly in October — and the declines were “faster than usual,” according to Black Book. To use another seasonal metaphor to describe the fall, used-car deprecation was “a little spooky” last month, says Cox Automotive. Both firms have released their observations on October’s […] [Read More]

The appetite for electric vehicles hasn’t evaporated. Far from it. It’s just that now, with the $7,500 tax credit having expired, the demand that exists (albeit smaller) is more genuine interest and “less deal-driven.” Or as Jessica Caldwell of Edmunds put it in an analysis, perhaps alluding to the most electric of singer-songwriters, EVs have […] [Read More]

Technology has exploded in the modern automobile, with touchscreens, adaptive cruise control and all sorts of bells and whistles available. But according to research from Enterprise Mobility, most people don’t want all of that on their vehicle. The parent company of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and other transportation and mobility businesses released its second annual “On the […] [Read More]

Much like the assortment of candy collected by trick-or-treaters, retail used-car prices were a mixed bag in October. According to the latest Carfax Used Car Index, the price variance between used-vehicle segments was quite noticeable during the month. Luxury cars, for example, were up close to $400 month-over-month in October and pickup trucks climbed more […] [Read More]

Car dealers can be slow to embrace change, but according to the latest research from Cox Automotive, they’re beginning to come around on artificial intelligence. Cox’s AI Readiness in Auto Retail Study found 81% of the 537 franchise dealers surveyed said they believe AI is here to stay, 74% believe it can create more benefits […] [Read More]

While more and more car owners are holding onto their vehicles longer these days, there are some models that tend to change hands very quickly — as in, within a year after they’re purchased new. And perhaps not surprisingly, those models tend to be on the high end of the price scale. The latest research […] [Read More]

With the end of federal tax credits on Sept. 30, sales of electric vehicles are taking a hit after a record third quarter, industry observers say, but there still are some “encouraging” signs for the EV market. There were 438,487 new EVs sold in Q3, which beat second-quarter figures by 40.7% and prior-year figures by […] [Read More]

Two to three years ago might seem like a long time ago in the car business. But that’s the timeframe Black Book referenced when analysts dissected last week’s wholesale data and assembled their newest installment of Market Insights. “Depreciation accelerated last week, with several segments posting single week declines reminiscent of 2022 and 2023 levels,” […] [Read More]

Employee satisfaction is up at auto dealerships and fewer employees are looking to leave, according to the latest research from dealership management software provider CDK. But that doesn’t mean all is perfect for dealership staff. CDK’s 2025 Dealership Workplace Study, a survey of 409 employees from stores across the nation, found job satisfaction has soared […] [Read More]