Analysis

The commercial automotive industry stands at the crossroads of economic challenges, evolving customer needs, and a dynamic environmental landscape, setting the stage for a transformative journey in 2024. As a new year unfolds, bringing fresh goals, evolving regulations, and expanded opportunities, let’s delve into the five pivotal trends that promise to shape the industry’s future. […] [Read More]

There is roughly a 10.2 million-unit deficit in the number of 1- to 3-year-old vehicles expected to re-enter the pre-owned car market in the near future, leading to a “sparse and expensive” picture for dealers’ used-car inventories, Cars Commerce says in its 2024 Automotive Trends report released Wednesday. And if the company’s data is any indication, consumers and dealers alike may be motivated to utilize the trade-in route. Citing data from its Accu-Trade unit, Cars Commerce said that trade-in values on 1- to -5-year-old used vehicles are ... [Read More]

There are dozens of events providing education and value to retail car dealers. From the large NADA Conference and Exposition to the small factory or 20 Group meetings, they range dramatically in both value and cost. I have participated in hundreds of events, both inside and outside this industry as an exhibitor, sponsor or attendee. […] [Read More]

We continue our series on the Auto Remarketing Podcast highlighting some of the panels and presentations from Used Car Week 2023. This episode features a conversation with Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures and the industry personality all over social media who is known as CarDealershipGuy. Listen to the episode in the window below. [Read More]

It’s that time of year again to reflect on the past 12 months. As we navigate from one crisis to another, one reality shines through: We are one resilient industry. I mean come on, what else can they throw at us? Oh, yeah: 2024 is an election year! The used-car market is definitely showing signs […] [Read More]

Dealership service departments are not only losing market share to general repair shops — they’re also losing the trust of consumers, according to the latest research by Cox Automotive. Cox’s new study, “Under the Hood: Opportunities and Challenges in the Service Industry,” found that while franchised dealerships are still vehicle owners’ top choice among service […] [Read More]

Auto dealers have issued a vote of no confidence to the current U.S. economy. The Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index for the fourth quarter of 2023 showed a sharp drop from Q3, which Cox analysts attributed to the ongoing adverse effects of high interest rates and a weakening economy on the automotive market, the two […] [Read More]

A topsy-turvy ride at the county fair or an amusement park might be fun, but when it comes to used-vehicle prices, such ups and downs can wreak havoc for dealers, auctions, remarketers, forecasters and more. Good thing for the auto industry is that signs point to “less of a roller coaster in the new year,” […] [Read More]

When it comes to reputation among consumers, Mazda and Subaru are at the top of the heap, according to Cars Commerce’s latest research. The Cars.com Experience Report measured the reputation of the major automotive brands based on analysis of consumer reviews about dealerships nationwide on Cars Commerce’s Cars.com marketplace. Cars Commerce said the Experience Report’s […] [Read More]

Average prices on 1- to 5-year-old vehicles in October were down 5.1% year-over-year, according to analysis from iSeeCars.com. Moreover, the latest CARFAX Used Car Price Index shows that those declines continued “across the board” in November. But the price drops for used electric vehicles (and to a lesser extent, hybrids) have been far more extensive, […] [Read More]