TOGETHER WITH

Howdy Fam!

We get to share a lot of wonderful things from the dealerships we serve, but this is a first!

The Bob Ross Auto Group witnessed a multi-car accident in front of their shop, and instead of waiting for the professionals to arrive, they pulled some straight superhero stuff and pulled real people from a real crisis.

The picture really is worth a thousand words in this instance, so check it out.

Read the team’s post here and show some love to the heroes!

Keep Pushing Back
-Chris with Paul, Kyle & Kristi

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At NADA 2026, see how Upstart Auto Finance uses thousands of data points (not just a credit score) to approve more buyers with faster, more flexible offers. Close more deals with instant, AI-powered decisions, longer terms, and higher LTVs that boost back-end profit without the lender runaround.

Visit them in Las Vegas, Feb 3-6 at booth #1901. The first 50 demos booked each get a $50 gift card, and everyone who stops by will be entered to win a super-automatic espresso machine for your showroom.

If there’s a single story running through today’s headlines, it’s this: 2026 is shaping up as a year of resilience. Hype is dead.

It’s a move meant to prevent parts disruption during Chapter 11, and it puts a bright spotlight on supply chain continuity. When a major supplier stumbles, the ripple hits production schedules, incentives, service lanes, and customer timelines.

From there, the OEM posture makes sense.

Zoom out, and you can see why everyone’s playing defense.

Tax refund season could provide a bump, but the bigger theme remains affordability. The market can feel choppy even while stocks push record highs ahead of the Fed, because retail auto demand lives on payment math and confidence.

That pressure shows up in advertising too. Automakers are stepping away from Super Bowl spending and moving dollars into targeted, repeatable channels aimed at in-market shoppers.

Toyota and Lexus lead consideration. Trucks and crossovers continue to command the most attention. Electrified consideration rose in 2025, and hybrids continue to gain ground with shoppers who want lower fuel costs without changing their entire routine.

The MX-5 is ten years into this generation and still out here acting brand new. US sales climbed nearly 8% in 2025 to 8,727 units, which is wild for a tiny roadster in an SUV world. Mazda says the Miata is staying, and the next one sounds like the same religion: lighter, manual-friendly, and likely a new naturally aspirated 2.5L Skyactiv-Z later this decade.

Chery’s Rely brand launched the R08 EV pickup in China starting around $18,300. Hilux-sized, available AWD, decent claimed range, big screens, the whole modern menu. The real question is what happens to that price once you put it on a boat and run it through tariffs, regulations, and real-world usage. Still, it’s a loud signal: the global truck fight keeps getting cheaper and faster.

A new snapshot says Waymo is getting closer to Uber and Lyft on both price and wait times in San Francisco. Tesla Robotaxi is the cheapest ride on the menu, but you may be waiting a while. Meanwhile, Waabi just raised $750M and Uber is lining up more money to deploy Waabi-powered robotaxis at scale. Translation: this space is moving from “cool demo” to “who can deliver rides reliably, at a price people actually tap.”

Thanks for reading, Friend. Check back tomorrow for more or tag us in a post today and we’ll drop you a GIF.