Earlier this week: Asbury Automotive acquired 33 dealerships from Herb Chambers Companies. Trump targets auto imports with new tariffs by April. Ford delays next-gen F-150 amid market uncertainty. IRS will give an adviser from Musk’s DOGE access to tax data. U.S. inflation rose 3% in January, delaying hopes for Fed rate cuts. Tesla faces protests over Musk’s political moves amid sales decline. Toyota, Lexus issue recall for 40K vehicles amid seat belt manufacturing issues. Urban Science: U.S. automotive dealership count increased in 2024; new post-pandemic throughput high expected in 2025.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
1. Asbury Automotive to acquire 33 dealerships from Herb Chambers Companies
Asbury Automotive Group has reached a definitive agreement to acquire 33 dealerships and three collision centers from The Herb Chambers Companies (HCC), marking one of the largest transactions in U.S. automotive retail history. The deal, valued at $1.34 billion, includes 52 franchises and is expected to close in late Q2 2025. Read More
2. Trump targets auto imports with new tariffs by April
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new tariffs on automobiles, set to take effect around April 2. While the president did not provide details on the scope or rates of the potential tariffs, the move aligns with his broader trade strategy to encourage domestic production and reshape global trade relations. This latest announcement follows a series of escalating tariffs across multiple industries, including steel, aluminum, and semiconductors. Read More
3. Ford delays next-gen F-150 amid market uncertainty
Detroit automaker, Ford, is planning to postpone the launch of its next-generation F-150 gasoline and hybrid trucks by a year, pushing production to April 2028, according to Auto Forecast Solutions. The decision means the current generation will remain in production longer than expected, a move that analysts say reflects economic and policy uncertainties under the new Trump administration. Read More
4. IRS will give adviser from Musk’s DOGE access to tax data
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to grant broad access to taxpayer data to an adviser from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a draft agreement seen by Bloomberg Tax. The move, set to take effect on February 14, has raised concerns about data privacy and transparency, particularly among lawmakers and taxpayer advocates. Read More
5. U.S. inflation rises 3% in January, delaying hopes for Fed rate cuts
U.S. inflation accelerated in January as the cost of groceries, gasoline, and rent climbed, adding pressure on businesses and households while likely reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rate cuts. Read More
6. Tesla faces protests over Musk’s political moves amid sales decline
Tesla is facing mounting pressure both externally and internally. Protests have erupted across dozens of its North American stores, and there are signs of growing unrest within the company. This weekend, a grassroots movement organized a series of protests targeting Tesla showrooms, calling attention to Elon Musk’s controversial political involvement and leadership. Read More
7. Toyota, Lexus issue recall for 40K vehicles amid seat belt manufacturing issues
Toyota and Lexus are recalling 40,922 vehicles due to concerns over potentially damaged second-row center seat belt issues. The issue occurred during the manufacturing process and could cause the seatbelts to perform poorly, leading to an increased risk of injuries or fatalities during a crash. Read More
8. Urban Science: U.S. automotive dealership count increased in 2024; new post-pandemic throughput high expected in 2025
DETROIT, February 13, 2025 – Urban Science® today announced its 2024 year-end Automotive Franchise Activity Report (FAR), which reveals continued stability across the U.S. automotive retail network last year. As of December 31, 2024, there were 27 more dealerships (rooftops) in the U.S. compared to the same date in 2023 (18,374 compared to 18,347 at the end of last year); the number of franchises – brands a dealership sells – decreased by 380 (from 30,504 to 30,124) year over year. Read More
9. Lauren Fix breaks down Nissan’s struggles after failed Honda merger
As Nissan ends its merger talks with Honda, the future of the automaker remains uncertain. On today’s episode of Inside Automotive, automotive expert and founder of Car Coach Reports, Lauren Fix, weighs in on the implications for Nissan, its dealers, and consumers. From struggling technology to the need for fresh leadership, Fix offers valuable insights into what lies ahead for the brand. Watch the full segment here.
10. S.C. dealers secure victory as lawmakers reject Scout Motors’ sales model – E. Sims Floyd, Jr. | SCADA
A South Carolina bill that would have allowed Volkswagen’s Scout Motors to bypass the traditional franchise dealer system has been halted in a unanimous 8-0 committee vote. Sims Floyd Jr., Executive Vice President of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (SCADA), joins us on the latest episode of Inside Automotive to discuss the implications of this decision and what it means for both local dealers and the broader automotive industry. Watch the full segment here.
11. Cox Automotive’s Marianne Johnson on AI’s growing impact in retail automotive
The buzzword for the automotive industry in 2024 and a prominent focus at the 2025 NADA Show was artificial intelligence (AI). However, AI isn’t new—it has been a part of the industry for over a decade. In today’s episode of CBT Now, we’re joined by Marianne Johnson, chief product officer of Cox Automotive, to discuss how the company integrates AI into its products and services and how dealers can implement these tools to enhance their operations. Watch the full segment here.
