Car Dealership Guy

[NEWS] CEO Jim Farley is bullish on Ford’s tariff-inspired pricing: What we know— Last week, Ford rolled out its “From America, For America” program. The offer? Employee pricing on most 2024–25 Ford and Lincoln models for all U.S. buyers until June 2. Plus, a free home charger and installation for EV buyers through June 30. The goal, according to Farley, is to boost affordability and highlight its U.S. footprint. Bottom line: It’s a marketing move, sure—but it’s also a first-mover advantage. Ford’s playing offense while others are still drawing up the playbook. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by PayJunction: https://lnkd.in/eXm7izBP (Data source: Ford CEO Jim Farley via Fox News)

No automaker can escape tariffs completely: But some are way less exposed. Breaking down the share of U.S.-sold vehicles assembled in the U.S—Tesla and Rivian lead with 100% each, followed by Ford at 78%. However—on the other end of the spectrum… Volvo’s share is only 13%. And from there, Mazda comes in at 19%, with Volkswagen only slightly more at 21%. Sure—this doesn’t take auto parts sourcing into consideration, but it’s clear which automakers might be better prepared to weather the tariff storm for now. (Data source: Wards Automotive and Barclays via Axios)

[NEWS] EVs made up 9.3% of total vehicle sales in March— That’s up from 8.4% last year. The good news—EV growth is slow and steady… The bad news—EV growth is far from explosive. Add tariff headwinds and changes to federal incentives to the list of existing consumer worries (charging stations, range, and wait times)— And the sales pace could get even slower. Bottom line: With EV demand growing incrementally, automakers aiming to capture market share can't afford to misread the pace of adoption. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by PayJunction: https://lnkd.in/duJhCJD5 (Data source: J.D. Power)

The Automaker Tariff Tracker just got updated — 13 OEMs and counting! Packed with scoops and crowdsourced insights straight from the front lines. Bookmark it to stay ahead of shifts that could hit inventory, vehicle pricing, and strategy: https://lnkd.in/ezxyvdsY

Spoke with a dealer who raised their used car offers by $3,000 over MMR since the tariff announcements. Result? Their used car acquisitions jumped from 300 to 400 units per month. Overpaying ... or making a smart move? We’ll know in 30–60 days. Any other dealers adjusting their used car strategies since the tariff news? Tell me below...

Negotiation-free car sales may lead to higher margins. Jaguar Land Rover Virginia Beach holds MSRP on most new vehicles— And still outpaces competitors on front-end profit. GM Michael L. Wood, explains how transparency drives volume. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast now on your favorite platform—brought to you by SalesAPE.ai, Cox Automotive Inc., and CDG Recruiting - The Go-To Talent Partner for Dealers

[NEWS] UAW President Shawn Fain is fully supporting auto tariffs: In a recent interview—Fain argued that higher prices are a choice made by corporations— And that reshoring factories creates better-paying, skilled jobs. Worth noting: Fain does not support the global tariffs announced last Wednesday by President Trump—calling them “reckless” in the interview. Still—his position has drawn heavy criticism… With Canadian worker groups (Unifor and Canadian Labour Congress) warning the tariffs could damage cross-border manufacturing partnerships. Bottom line: Fain’s strong support could embolden Trump’s tariff strategy—adding more uncertainty for automakers and greater division within the North American auto industry. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by PayJunction: https://lnkd.in/eFUvXj2g (Data source: NPR)

[NEWS] U.S. auto sales could fall by 1.8 million units this year: What we know— Tariffs on imported vehicles could drive prices up by $5k–$10k… Potentially affecting both consumers and sales, per a Telemetry forecast. But that’s just the first domino to fall. The real issue? A pending supply dilemma, with OEMs halting (some) production into the summer. For now—Automakers are weighing their options, but it’s clear there’s no easy fix… Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by PayJunction: https://lnkd.in/e6MdfaW9 (Data source: Telemetry)

From timeshares to Teslas, Michael L. Wood has sold it all: But it’s his approach to hospitality that’s redefining luxury retail. In this episode of the CDG Podcast, Michael, General Manager of the Jaguar Land Rover of Virginia Beach division of Checkered Flag Auto Group, shares how he’s building legendary customer experiences, the inside scoop on JLR’s Goodwill Empowerment program, and why the franchise model is at an inflection point. Top lessons learned from Michael: 1. Running a luxury store like a hospitality business is a profit play. – Despite a negotiation-free model, Michael’s store consistently holds ~4% front-end margins. – His team researches customers before visits to align the pitch with lifestyle and values. – From first contact to delivery, the goal is always the same: reduce friction and exceed expectations. 2. Creating unforgettable moments with Jaguar’s Goodwill Empowerment. – JLR gives front-line managers the authority to spend up to $450 (and GMs even more) per customer—no approval needed. – Dealers can use it to gift a luxury weekend stay or aquarium tickets to a customer’s family, just because it is meaningful to them. – The brand highlights top stories each month to reinforce that experience is part of the product. 3. Big loyalty doesn’t require big budgets. – Staff handwrites birthday, graduation, and thank-you cards after doing light social research. – It’s not the dollar value—it’s how personal the gesture feels that creates “legendary” moments. – Michael’s mindset: your CSI strategy should be rooted in storytelling, not discounts. 4. Dealers who cling to the past will be replaced—either by D2C or by better operators. – Michael argues that many stores still force customers through outdated, adversarial processes. – Instead, he’s focused on experience design—removing pain points and making ownership seamless. – His north star? Build a value prop so strong, customers don’t want to go anywhere else—even if they could. 5. Jaguar’s viral EV rebrand. – The new Jaguar will go ultra-premium and all-electric, with U.S. production targets under 10,000 units annually. – Michael sees echoes of the 1950s XK and E-Type era: bold design, limited volume, and high desirability. – Production reveals are expected in Q4 2025. The full episode is live! Stream it now - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eTwRsbiT Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e_cQAzh3 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eauDfEYw

Dealership buyers could weather a multi-year profit dip—and still come out ahead: As tariffs ripple through the auto industry—some dealers are bracing for a steep decline in profitability. But even if profits drop by 20% over the next three years... The long-term returns don't change substantially. Over 10 years—a dealership buyer would still see a 14.5% internal rate of return compared to 16.2% in a pre-tariff environment. Bottom line: Short-term uncertainty doesn’t mean the long-term economics won't pencil out. (Data source: Haig Partners)