ICYMI: Toyota spins off Century into a standalone ultra-luxury brand above Lexus. Dream Motor Group buys Toyota-Lexus of Montgomery, its first Toyota and Lexus stores. Subprime auto loan delinquencies hit a record high. Tesla Q3 revenue hits $28.1B, profit misses estimates. Canada cuts Stellantis’ tariff-free imports by half and GM’s by nearly a quarter.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
Toyota redefines luxury with standalone Century brand debuting this October
Toyota is transforming its flagship Century model into a standalone ultra-luxury brand positioned above Lexus, previewing the move this week ahead of its official debut at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. The new Century brand aims to capture the luxury segment, competing directly with high-end rivals like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and will be sold internationally for the first time. Read More
Nick Saban’s Dream Motor Group to acquire Toyota-Lexus of Montgomery
Dream Motor Group, co-owned by former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, former Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon, and CEO Joe Agresti, is set to acquire Toyota-Lexus of Montgomery from Sutherlin Automotive Group. The deal, expected to close in November 2025, represents Dream Motor’s first Toyota and Lexus acquisition and is projected to be one of the largest dealership transactions in Alabama history. Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions represented the seller in the transaction. Read More
Auto delinquencies climb as lower-income Americans struggle with car payments
Delinquency rates on subprime auto loans have reached record highs, signaling growing financial strain among lower-income Americans as vehicle prices and borrowing costs remain elevated. According to Fitch Ratings, more than 6% of subprime auto loans are now at least 60 days past due, the highest rate ever recorded, as tighter household budgets, slowing wage growth, and unemployment edge higher. Read More
Tesla posts record Q3 revenue, profit falls short of expectations
Tesla reported a record third-quarter revenue on Wednesday, driven by a surge in U.S. electric vehicle sales as buyers rushed to lock in federal tax credits before they expired. Despite the revenue boost, however, the company’s profit fell short of Wall Street expectations, weighed down by tariffs, research and development (R&D) costs, and declining regulatory credit income. Read More
Canada cuts tariff-free vehicle imports from Stellantis and GM amid production shifts
Canada announced Thursday it will reduce the number of vehicles Stellantis and General Motors can import tariff-free, a move aimed at enforcing production commitments as the automakers realign operations in response to U.S. trade policies. Stellantis’ tariff-free allotment will be cut by 50% and GM’s by 24.2%, reflecting Ottawa’s stance that both companies no longer meet the criteria for exemptions. Read More
Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss
How Koons Motors thrives through innovation, training, AI integration – Alex Perdikis
When it comes to dealership performance in a changing market, Alex Perdikis, CEO and owner of Koons Motors, believes success starts with clarity, consistency, and innovation. On this upcoming episode of Inside Automotive, Perdikis discussed how his Ford and Lincoln stores are navigating challenges through strategic leadership, workforce development, and the integration of AI tools that enhance efficiency and customer engagement.
Tully Williams’ playbook for driving high customer retention in service
The Niello Company retains more than 70% of its service customers returning. On this upcoming episode of Service Drive, Neillo’s Fixed Ops Director, Tully Williams, details how culture, process, and pricing strategies drive repeat and referral business and how other dealerships can achieve high retention rates, too.
