TOGETHER WITH

Happy January 26th, Friend!

It’s about a week from NADA, and we’re all excited to see you there. MTC is bringing a pretty full team to capture as much of the show’s goodness as we can. But who can be in all those places (or parties) at once?

We have a list of parties you should know about before you get to Vegas next week. Check it out, and let us know which you’ll be attending.

Visit NADAParties.com to make plans now.

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.

Used values are firming earlier than expected, while new-vehicle volume stays soft even as dollars spent remain high. Together, they point to a market where pricing power exists, but only when paired with the right inventory and payment strategy.

From Manheim’s mid-month read

From J.D. Power and GlobalData’s January outlook

Early lane strength plus slower new-vehicle volume explains why payments, not prices, are driving most showroom conversations. Rates are easing, trade equity still matters, and incentives are leaning harder on ICE as EV share slips to 6.6%.

Ten VW, Audi, and Porsche dealers are challenging Colorado’s approval of Scout’s dealer license, arguing the state misapplied EV-only exceptions and overlooked Volkswagen Group’s backing. The case targets the state’s interpretation of the law, not Scout directly, and raises a bigger question: how narrowly “EV-only” will be defined as more OEM-backed startups seek direct sales.

GM confirmed it will shift U.S. production of a Buick compact SUV to its Fairfax Assembly plant beginning in 2028, ending a run that saw the model built in China for U.S. buyers since 2017. The move aligns with tariff pressure, onshoring incentives, and GM’s broader U.S. investment push.

Affordability has become shorthand, but the pressure is broader than vehicle MSRP.

The Wall Street Journal notes insurers posting near-record profits while pushing through sharp rate increases, pulling regulators and politicians into the debate. On the retail side, dealers report shoppers reacting more to monthly outlays than sticker prices, with longer terms and digital price checks tightening margins.

In Washington, auto show conversations tied vehicle pricing to policy. Automakers and suppliers warned that weakening or exiting USMCA would raise North American vehicle costs and inject more uncertainty into investment decisions. Administration officials countered that rolling back fuel-economy and other regulations could lower prices, while lawmakers stressed making advanced technology accessible without pricing buyers out.

The common thread is cost allocation. Insurance, trade, regulation, and technology all land in the same monthly budget. Dealers sit at the point where those pressures finally meet the customer.

Thanks for starting your day with me, Friend. We’ve always got something new going on, so check out the links below to find your favorite way to participate with the MTC community.