Texas auto sales surged this spring, but that momentum is already fading—and EVs are still gathering dust. In today’s episode of Inside Automotive, April Ancira, VP at Ancira Auto Group, discusses sales trends, EV resistance in South Texas, and her concerns over OEMs shifting to direct-to-consumer models.
Ancira Auto Group experienced a 30% increase in sales during April, May, and June, driven by consumer anxiety over tariff negotiations and the usual spring tax refund bump. That momentum stalled in July, with traffic and sales returning to early-year levels.
Electric vehicle demand remains minimal in San Antonio and surrounding rural areas where the group operates. Most stores sell just one EV per month, and some average only one per quarter. Ancira Auto Group has held EV inventory for extended periods, at times considering charitable donations as a way to clear units. The Volkswagen ID.4 is the most consistently sold EV across the group. In contrast, Toyota hybrids continue to perform well, alongside full-size trucks and SUVs, which remain the preferred choice among customers.
Inventory levels vary by brand. Stellantis stores are overstocked, with months of supply on hand, while other brands, such as Buick and GMC, maintain a healthier balance between incoming shipments and sales. Chevrolet and Nissan stores are experiencing steady growth, though Ancira notes that Nissan’s performance depends heavily on the strength of individual management teams.
“It just frustrates me because we were utilized, but as partners, to be able to help with the capital costs to get started for mass deployment of these products... But now you want to cannibalize the people who just made these incredibly large fixed investments."
Ancira critiques Volkswagen’s decision to launch its Scout EV brand as a direct-to-consumer operation. She says the move undermines the investments dealers have made in facilities, staffing, and customer service, calling it a “slap in the face” to those who helped grow the brand. She warns that bypassing dealers opens the door to monopolistic practices and diminishes consumer choice.
Ancira Auto Group now operates 14 rooftops, with recent acquisitions focused on smaller, rural stores. These have outperformed expectations and avoided the aggressive pricing wars seen in metro markets. Despite rising interest in consolidation, Ancira says any potential sale would require a buyer willing to pay more than $1 billion and ensure job security for existing employees.
The group also responded quickly to the flooding disaster at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Ancira, who attended the camp as a child, helped organize supply drives, monetary donations, and RV deployments to aid displaced residents and volunteers. The company’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to local engagement and disaster relief in South Texas.
