TOGETHER WITH:
Howdy, Fam!
Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.
Today, we’re starting with a first look at new EV battery data that dealers can use right now. The study raises a practical question for every store handling used EVs: can your team clearly explain battery health at appraisal, pricing, and the point of sale?
We’re also looking at CarMax’s margin pressure, GM’s shifts in Silverado production, robotaxis versus construction barrels, and why customers still spend when the purchase feels personal.
Keep Pushing Back,
— Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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What Lyteflo's EV Battery Study Means for Appraisals, Pricing, and Customer Trust
Ahead of this morning's release, Lyteflo CEO Ryan Osten shared an advance look at a new EV battery study with More Than Cars because he believed dealers should see the findings early. The study compared 150 used EVs using direct battery measurements versus model-based battery estimates.
According to the company:
model-based scores averaged 6.2 points higher than direct measurements
were higher in 92% of vehicles tested
and showed gaps as large as 18 points on a single vehicle.
Why this matters beyond the study
The findings will likely spark debate about how battery health should be measured. For dealers, though, the bigger takeaway is that battery condition is becoming increasingly important at appraisal, pricing, and the point of sale.
As more EVs move through the used market, battery health is starting to join mileage, ownership history, and service records as part of the conversation customers expect dealerships to understand and explain.
Customers aren't asking about battery scores
They're asking whether they can trust the battery. If you’ll put your reputation on its trustworthiness.
They want to know how much life is left, how the vehicle was evaluated, and what ownership will look like a few years down the road.
Most won't care whether the answer comes from a direct measurement or a model-based estimate until they discover two sources giving them different answers.
The opportunity is customer confidence
The study is about battery scores. The opportunity is customer confidence.
Dealers don't need to become battery experts overnight. They do need a clear, consistent way to talk about battery condition. The stores that can explain battery health in plain language will be better positioned to appraise accurately, price confidently, and earn trust as used EV inventory continues to grow.
Are Your VDPs Earning the Click?
In a market where shoppers are stretching every dollar, your listings need to answer every question before it’s asked.
93% of car buyers use auto marketplaces in their path to purchase — and when budgets are tight, a complete listing is often what separates a click from a pass. How you merchandise your vehicles influences every stage, from AI-powered search to the moment they pick up the phone.
Our merchandising guide gives you the tactics to make every VDP work harder and turn more views into qualified leads.
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CarMax beats expectations, but margins tell the real story
CarMax topped Wall Street's earnings and revenue estimates, but investors focused on a different number: used vehicle gross profit per unit fell by $230 year over year.
New CEO Keith Barr says the turnaround plan centers on technology, efficiency, and a smoother customer experience. The dealer takeaway? In today's market, growth is great, but protecting margin is still the game.
GM's Silverado plans could reshape the truck conversation
Industry analysts expect GM to end production of the light-duty Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at its Oshawa Assembly plant before the end of 2026. While GM hasn't confirmed employment changes, the move would be another sign that automakers are actively managing truck production amid changing demand, affordability pressures, and higher fuel costs.
Dealers should keep one eye on inventory levels and the other on used truck values.
BYD's luxury SUV racks up 150,000 orders
BYD's new three-row Great Tang SUV has already secured more than 150,000 orders in China and is headed to Europe next.
The headline isn't the SUV. It's that Chinese automakers continue moving upmarket with luxury features, long range, and aggressive pricing that global competitors can't ignore.
🛞 On Wheels
Waymo recalled nearly 3,900 robotaxis after vehicles repeatedly wandered into freeway construction zones. Apparently construction barrels remain undefeated against autonomous driving systems.
Hyundai is reportedly buying SoftBank's remaining stake in Boston Dynamics for $325 million. If the deal closes, Hyundai will own the robot maker outright, suggesting the company sees robotics as a core business, not a side project.
BMW issued its third profit warning in three years, citing weakness in China and rising costs. At some point, "temporary headwinds" start looking a lot like the new operating environment.
💰 In the Wallet
Father’s Day spending hit a projected record $27.9B, up 16% from last year, with the average shopper expected to spend about $227. Consumer sentiment may be soft, but people still spend when the purchase is tied to family, memory, or identity. Dealers, take note: emotional relevance still opens wallets.
Toy Story 5 pulled in $160M domestically, setting a franchise record and proving families will still leave the house when the experience feels worth it. The ticket price is not the blocker. The question is whether the outing feels meaningful enough to beat staying home.
Coca-Cola is fighting the IRS over a $20B tax dispute tied to how it reported foreign profits. It’s a giant corporate tax story, but the dealer-adjacent reminder is simple: where profit shows up on paper can become a very expensive question later.
💾 In the Tech Stack
The internet is being rebuilt for machines, as AWS launches new infrastructure built for AI agents that search, query, call APIs, and disappear fast. Translation: the next internet user may not be a person clicking around. It may be software doing 300 things before coffee.
Brands are using AI-generated influencers to promote products without always making clear that the “person” on screen is not real. The marketing takeaway is not anti-AI. It’s pro-trust: customers can forgive creative tools, but they hate feeling tricked.
A new wearable jacket can reportedly harvest up to 900 ml of drinking water from air each day, using atmospheric moisture and solar heating. It’s a little sci-fi, a little camping aisle, and a good reminder that innovation gets weird before it gets normal.
1934: The German Automobile Industry Association signed a contract with Ferdinand Porsche. The deal commissioned him to design the very first "Volkswagen" (People's Car), which became the iconic Beetle.
2001: The action film The Fast and the Furious premiered in theaters. It sparked a massive global revival in tuner car culture, aftermarket auto parts sales, and street racing video games.
2011: Nissan delivered its 10,000th Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, marking an early milestone in mass-market EV manufacturing and battery tech adoption.
Thanks for reading, Friend!
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