🚗 Dealership Numbers Grow

🚙 Check Engine Lights, Fight Songs, and Recharge Plans

March 11, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy Friend!

It's too bad relationships don’t have check engine lights. Maybe we can devise a system of hats that signify our current social temperature.

Until then, be sure to ask your team how they are, and wait a moment after they say “fine” to see how they really are.

Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

ASOTU CON 2025

ASOTU CON is the best place to work AND get some much-needed rest.

The Recharge Lounge, powered by Ascent Dealer Services, will be the go-to spot to rest, recharge, and reconnect—whether you’re grabbing a coffee, charging up, or catching up with industry peers.

Don't have your tickets yet? Get yours now!

Dealership Growth, Tariff Maneuvers, and Auto Credit Access Hits a High

U.S. Dealerships Grow, but Franchises Shrink

The total number of U.S. dealerships increased 0.9% to 18,311, while franchise locations declined 1.3% to 29,829. The Detroit 3 continue to downsize, with Ford (-68), GM, and Stellantis all trimming stores.

Meanwhile, Genesis expanded from 11 to 60 standalone dealerships, and Chevy (+153) and GMC (+77) increased exclusive locations. Sales throughput rose 5.8%, with Toyota leading at 1,607 vehicles per franchise.

Paul and Kyle spoke more about these changes on The Automotive Troublemaker. Watch with the link above, or go to ASOTU.be to subscribe.

Automakers Maneuver Around Tariffs

With tariffs looming, automakers are adapting to protect margins and supply chains. Volkswagen and Stellantis secured exemptions, while BMW faces a €400M hit.

Honda is shifting Civic Hybrid production to Indiana, Hyundai is ramping up U.S. operations, and VW is considering domestic Audi and Porsche production. If these moves materialize, local production could increase, reshaping inventory strategies for dealers.

Auto Credit Eases, Boosting Buyer Access

The Dealertrack Index hit its highest point since December 2022, signaling improved credit access. Loan approvals rose, subprime approvals ticked up, and lenders extended loan terms. Negative equity is also rising.

Franchised dealers saw gains in used vehicle financing, while captives tightened on new loans.

More

Read more on these and several other big stories in today’s ASOTU news digest.

🥊 Quick Hits

  • The Market is dipping, but Luxury EV maker, Lucid, is actually enjoying a bump after convincing market makers they have some good things coming. 📈 

  • China and Bezos are investing in Starlink competitors. Let’s hope they leave some sky for the stars to live in. 🛰️ 

  • Netflix has an $18B content plan and says it isn’t even at its ceiling yet. 📺️ 

Unlock the Power of Data to Sell More Cars

Did you know that 95% of car shoppers rely on online resources before ever stepping foot in a dealership? Our friends at iPacket help you showcase complete digital documentation upfront, so you don’t lose potential buyers before they even reach out.

✅ Stand Out Online – Give customers a comprehensive digital presentation with vehicle details, pricing, and history in one seamless experience.
 
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✅ Maximize Your ROI – Dealers using strategic digital presentations see up to an 18% increase in lead conversion.

Make it easy for customers to say YES with a data-driven buying experience.

ICYMI: Never Bet Against Paul J Daly… Just Ask Danny.

Danny Zaslacsky/ LinkedIn

The ASOTU Super Bowl fundraising bet brought plenty of laughs—and plenty of dollars for a great cause! Confident in a Chiefs victory, Danny Zaslavsky made a bold wager: If they lost, he’d don full Eagles gear and belt out Fly, Eagles, Fly. Brandiss from NCM Associates joined in, and, well… we all know how that ended.

The best part? Thanks to ASOTU, Steve Greenfield, and others, their friendly misery raised money for Vehicles for Change.

The worst part? There’s video proof.

Moral of the story? According to Danny it’s “Never bet against Paul J Daly.”

🔁 Today in History

  • 1927: In New York City, Samuel Roxy Rothafel opens the 5,920 seat Roxy Theatre. 📽️ 

  • 1971: Lamborghini Countach debuts. 🎉 

  • 2009: Toyota announces 1 millionth hybrid sale. 🧑‍🏭 

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