TOGETHER WITH

Howdy Fam!

We’re excited to be at NADA with you, and in case you missed it, we have a special resource to help you plan your time in Vegas.

We collected the available info and built prompts you can use to get the most out of the show. Check them out here.

But first…
Be honest: Do you pack your toothbrush for NADA or buy one to toss after the trip?

Keep Pushing Back
-Chris with Paul, Kyle & Kristi

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Another’s got all the shoppers looking for them.

But your systems aren’t talking — so no one can act.

The new Foureyes Connect is here to solve that.

It’s a different kind of data platform that brings your CRM, DMS, website, phone, and inventory data into one clean, connected foundation -- then powers workflows and consent syncing that helps your tools and vendors perform as promised.

Data put to work wherever you need it – and never locked in!

See it live at NADA, booth #2471W or book a demo now.

The macro and retail data tell a consistent story: the economy is holding up, but the customer is under pressure, which makes fixed ops and total cost transparency more important than ever.

GDP grew at a 4.4% annualized rate in Q3, up from 3.8% in Q2. The biggest engine was services, up 5.3%, led by information services, finance and insurance, and professional services.

On the consumer side, personal income rose 0.3% in November, and real consumer spending rose 0.3% in both October and November, putting November spending up 2.6% year over year.

But the household cushion is shrinking. The personal savings rate fell to 3.5% in November, which helps explain why sentiment can feel soft even when headline growth looks strong.

Automotive News explains why the stakes are so high: service can account for 85–90% of dealers' revenue.

At the same time, the average vehicle age hit 12.8 years in 2025, which should boost demand, but customers are more price-sensitive about which repairs they approve. Layer in a 37,000-tech annual shortfall, and it is no surprise dealers are defending margins with smarter scheduling, better tech, and expanded mobile service, even with startup costs often north of $100,000.

More on this with Paul and Kyle here.

Consumers already know the total cost of a vehicle is never just the vehicle. Affordability is pressing from one side, and rising ownership costs are pressing from the other.

CNBC, citing Cox, notes auto insurance has risen about 13% on average over the past five years. Over that same window, the average transaction price jumped about 30%, from roughly $39K to around $50K.

That mental math alone is enough to keep some shoppers from even coming to the table.

Toyota is spinning Gazoo Racing into a standalone performance brand, with halo products like the GR GT expected to be sold through select Lexus showrooms, not every Toyota store. Net for dealers: OEMs keep carving out premium sub-brands and tighter distribution, which can reshape allocation, merchandising, and where enthusiast traffic actually lands.

Reuters notes companies are bracing for margin pressure as consumers resist more price hikes, and research tracking ~360,000 goods estimates goods remain meaningfully more expensive versus a pre-tariff baseline.

On the retail side, CDK found 54% of shoppers say tariffs make them more likely to consider American brands (survey of 1,300+ active shoppers). Translation: expect more “where is it built” questions, more comparison shopping, and more need for clear value framing by brand, trim, and powertrain.

Volvo’s upcoming EX60 signals an “EV reset” aimed at mainstream buyers with big promised upgrades like ~400 miles of estimated range and 800V fast-charging architecture.

At the supply chain level, Geely says it plans to produce its first in-house solid-state battery pack in 2026, targeting about 15% higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion. What it means for dealers: EV conversations keep moving toward charging speed, range confidence, battery durability, and cost-to-own math, not just incentives and styling.

Thanks for reading, Friend. I don’t send you a word without my earnest belief that we are doing something special. Each day, people serve their community, support their family, and grow toward their goals because this industry exists. It’s a real joy to help care for it.