TOGETHER WITH

Happy Valentine’s Day, friend!

We’re not trying to make it weird.

And, you don’t have to say it back, but…

We love you.

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

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Stellantis disclosed €22.2B in charges tied to an EV reset, part of roughly $55B in global writedowns as automakers rescore electrification against real demand. U.S. EV share cooled after a September peak, while China continues scaling exports. Toyota leaned into financial discipline with a CEO change. Ford emphasized affordability and multi-energy flexibility.
Dealer read: Assume mix shifts first. Align around pricing speed and powertrain choice.

At NADA, dealers debated the profit potential of Chinese brands versus policy resistance. Affordability is the hinge. Meanwhile, January SAAR softened, incentives dipped to $3,200, and used values strengthened. Labor data flashed caution. Most OEMs skipped the Super Bowl.
Dealer read: Build plans around what customers can afford, not what we hope.

Average transaction price reached $49,191, driven by mix as incentives fell. Honda took a $1.7B EV hit. Ford doubled down on gas and hybrid vans. German suppliers warned of investment and job flight. Carvana added another Stellantis rooftop.
Dealer read: Pricing strength is real, but it’s mix-driven. Protect structure.

New softened, incentives tightened, and used wholesale rose with selective bidding. Dealertrack held at 100.0, but negative equity climbed to 56.3% and terms stretched. Canada tested lower-tariff Chinese EV entry. U.S. emissions rules and charging requirements added uncertainty.
Dealer read: Sharpen trade accuracy. Guard LTV. Watch policy ripple effects.

Credit is available but messier. Analysts see a flat-to-down market while OEMs talk growth. Ford guided to improved 2026 performance after tariff and EV-related hits. Nissan continues its reset. Toyota’s Highlander EV aims to reduce friction. Lithia signaled ROI, not politics, drives franchise decisions.
Dealer read: Discipline beats stretch. Control inputs.

Recorded on the NADA Expo floor at the Dealerware booth, Matt Carpenter sat down with us to discuss the biggest product news and momentum Dealerware brought to NADA 2026.

In the conversation, Matt shares how Dealerware is entering its next phase of growth, highlights newly launched platform capabilities, and explains how dealerships are evolving their approach to mobility, fleet operations, and customer experience.

From product launches to long-term strategy, this interview captures how Dealerware is helping dealerships build durable, scalable mobility operations at the dealership.

At NADA Show 2026, our good pal Marty Schwartz from Vehicles for Change shared how dealerships across the country are helping families get back on the road—literally.

Through a national partnership with NADA, dealerships can now run their own local car award programs using a clear, vetted process. Vehicles for Change helps identify families who are ready for the opportunity and supports them with a 12-month loan that builds credit along the way.

It’s a simple framework with real-life impact: shorter commutes, easier childcare, more time together, and better access to work and school.

Find out how it works and how to get involved here.

Bob George has seen the industry scale fast. And break things along the way.

On this episode of Auto Collabs, iPacket’s Bob George explains why AI alone won’t transform automotive retail unless the foundation beneath it is solid. That means clean, structured vehicle data, accurate listings, and the kind of transparency that builds trust before a customer ever walks in.

He also shares stories from his days scaling Dealer.com and what he’s building now to help dealers price smarter, reduce compliance risk, and meet buyers where they are—with the information they actually care about.

Tune in to learn how the smartest tech starts with better fundamentals.

We kicked off season 2 of The Truth About Car Dealers in St. Augustine with Ed Roberts and the crew at Bozard Ford Lincoln.

This episode is all heart. Stories about grit, growth, and what happens when leadership stays personal—even as the business scales.

Ed shares how a single decision changed his future, and we spend time with the brother-sister duo helping lead one of the top 10 volume stores in the country.

We got our hands dirty, we made the tiniest custom jacket to date, and we left reminded that the real wins always start with people.

Catch the latest episode now.

Cupid might need a side hustle this year.

According to InvestorsObserver, celebrating Valentine’s Day now costs 51% more than it did in 2016. A full night out with gifts and dinner runs about $774, up from $512 a decade ago.

Dinner for two has jumped from roughly $80 to $209. A box of chocolates climbed from $15 to nearly $51. And champagne has gotten so pricey it dropped off the gift list altogether, replaced by more thrifty greeting cards.

Love may still be priceless. But the night out, not so much.

Thanks for reading along, Friend!