Cox Automotive hit a longevity milestone with one of its resources for dealerships.

On Tuesday, the industry giant released its annual Dealertrack Compliance Guide for 2025, its 20th edition.

As the automotive industry remains stable yet faces major market shifts in the coming year related to fair financing, vehicle electrification and omnichannel buying, Cox Automotive said dealers must prioritize compliance to protect consumers and themselves from risks.

For dealers that are establishing or improving their compliance programs in 2025, the company said the Dealertrack Compliance Guide can be a trusted resource that provides dealers with actionable strategies to help them navigate the complexity of regulatory changes and continue to build trust with consumers.

“Compliance isn’t just about checking a box — it’s about building a foundation of trust and transparency that supports long-term success,” said Robert Newman, director of performance management and an auto retail compliance specialist at Cox Automotive.

“With increasing regulation and rising consumer expectations, dealers must balance the need for compliance with the demand for speed and simplicity in the car-buying experience,” Newman continued in a news release.

“This year’s Dealertrack Compliance Guide offers essential tips to help dealers implement practical, actionable strategies that protect their business and their customers, ensuring confidence and reliability in an increasingly digital and regulated landscape,” he added.

The Dealertrack Compliance Guide can help dealers understand their legal compliance obligations. As dealers face new challenges in 2025, including intensified data privacy obligations and stricter state & federal oversight, Cox Automotive said they might want to consider their own compliance action plan and follow changing shifts in the regulatory landscape, including:

—The finalized Combating Auto Retail Scams Rule, set to take effect on Sept. 30.

—New data privacy and security laws enacted by California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

—Several other states are considering legislation to do the same.

—The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Small Dollar Rule takes effect in 2025 and institutes new underwriting and credit reporting guidelines for certain lending activities.

—The Federal Trade Commission finalized a new rule penalizing bait-and-switch tactics, hidden charges, and related practices by auto dealers that is slated to go into effect in September.

“A robust compliance program should include, among other things, appropriate resource allocation, training, monitoring, assessments, updates, oversight, and disciplinary measures,” Newman said.

“As part of their compliance efforts, auto dealers should review enforcement actions, reports, and updates issued by federal and state regulators that may address unlawful and discouraged practices, whether under new or longstanding regulatory interpretations,” he went on to say.

Dealers can download the complimentary guide here. 

Dealers interested in speaking with Cox Automotive at NADA Show 2025 next week in New Orlean about Dealertrack solutions and strategies to develop their own compliance action plan can visit the Cox Village in the expo hall or request a meeting through the Cox Automotive NADA Hub.

“Dealertrack’s comprehensive compliance solutions enable dealers to secure deals and protect themselves and their customers with advanced tools including fraud detection and synthetic ID fraud alert as well as long-term storage to maximize audit readiness,” the company said.