TOGETHER WITH
Welcome to Saturday, Friend!
The countdown to NADA has officially begun, and it feels like the calm before the storm (in the best possible way).
So, get some rest. Don’t forget to to pack your good shoes. And we’ll see you in the thick of it soon.
Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris, and Kristi
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ICYMI
Recapping the Week
The Daily Pushback Email
On Monday, used car values started firming up early, while new-vehicle sales stayed soft. Affordability pressure is landing squarely on monthly outlays, not MSRPs. Add in legal tension around Scout’s dealer license and GM’s move to bring Buick SUV production stateside, and the pressure’s showing up everywhere. 😥
Then on Tuesday, GDP kept climbing, but consumers kept stretching. Fixed ops continues to prop up the dealership P&L, while rising insurance and ownership costs keep shoppers cautious. That means uptime, transparency, and payment math aren’t perks—they’re the pitch. The path forward in 2026? Clarity, convenience, and trust. 🤝
By Wednesday, GM baked $3–4B in tariff impact into its 2026 forecast, Korea scrambled to avoid more, and VW hit pause on U.S. Audi expansion. For dealers, the volatility won’t wait—it’ll show up first in mix, incentives, and availability. Be ready to move fast, price smart, and flex the lineup. 💪
On Thursday, a dealership rescue went viral after Bob Ross Auto Group pulled drivers from a multi-car crash. Ford and GM stepped in to protect supply chains amid a key supplier’s bankruptcy, while Cox flagged softer January traffic and shoppers kept zeroing in on payment-first deals. 🤑
Before we knew it, it was Friday. Year-end numbers revealed 2025’s winners—and their playbooks. Toyota leaned into hybrids and a flexible lineup, GM impressed Wall Street with cash strength, and Carvana faced fresh scrutiny. Meanwhile, Hyundai pitched factory robots, and Tesla goes all-in on Optimus robots. 🤖
Consent Management:
The Industry Standard Everyone’s Talking About
You’ve probably heard the buzz — and if you haven’t, now’s the time.
Foureyes Consent Management just hit 100+ participating vendors. That’s not hype. It’s legit momentum around one shared layer for managing customer opt-outs — the kind of thing that makes everyone’s life easier.
One record
Dealer control
Less TCPA risk
It’s picking up speed fast. Vendors are in. Dealers are watching. And if you’re not paying attention yet… you will be.
PODCASTS
Auto Collabs
Robert Steenbergh went from courtroom to car deals, and what he learned might surprise you. In this episode, he unpacks how trust and transparency—not shortcuts—create stronger F&I outcomes.
With longer loan terms and rising negative equity, Robert shares how small changes in process can protect margins and build real customer confidence.
The Dealer Playbook
Charles Cannon, GM at BMW West Houston, joins Michael Cirillo for a grounded talk about real results in automotive from doing the right things consistently.
They talk personal brand, career longevity, and why human connection still wins.
If you’ve been chasing every new trick and wondering what sticks, this one’s a reminder that steady still scales.
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
NADA Parties
With the NADA Show coming up this week, now is the time to get your schedule in order.
We’ve made it easy to organize your time, and find the evening events you want to be at—all in one place
Check out NADAParties.com to make your plans today.
SOMETHING FUN
Wienermobiles, Start Your Engines
Kraft
The Wienie 500 returns May 22nd to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where six 27-foot hot dogs on wheels will go bun-to-bun in the most absurd race of the season.
Last year’s event drew 85K fans in person, 8M online, and approximately half a million franks consumed.
This year’s fleet will be repping America’s favorite regional styles including the reigning champ Slaw Dog (Southeast), Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), and Seattle Dog (Northwest).
The sixth competitor? That’s up to the fans, who’ll cast votes on Instagram to decide which underdog makes the cut.
Catch the race nationwide via livestream and prepare to relish every ridiculous second.
Quick Hits
Placer.ai identified five U.S. metro areas as top markets for growth in 2026: Salt Lake City, Reno, Indianapolis, Raleigh, and Tampa. 📈
Rhode Island is likely to ditch Mr. Potato Head license plates after Hasbro's move to Boston. 🥔
Rumor has it Elon Musk is considering a merger between Tesla, xAI, and SpaceX. 🔗
