ICYMI: The FTC reached an agreement with Stream Auto Outlet over deceptive vehicle pricing. The UAW is urging Congress to keep the House China Select Committee in place. Tennessee regulators denied Scout Motors a dealer license for direct sales. The average new vehicle price hit a record $51,109 in October. Hertz will close its dedicated car sales locations and focus on online sales.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to keep you up to date on this week’s automotive news.
FTC reaches agreement with Stream Auto Outlet over deceptive vehicle pricing
On Nov. 9, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced an agreement with Stream Auto Outlet, a dealership group based in Long Island, New York, to resolve allegations of misleading vehicle pricing practices. The FTC alleges the dealership advertised prices significantly lower than what consumers ultimately paid. Read more.
UAW urges Congress to keep watching Chinese automakers
The United Auto Workers is urging Congress to keep the House China Select Committee in place when Democrats take control of the chamber, citing concerns about Chinese automakers. The union’s push comes as a permanent ban on Chinese vehicles still hasn’t cleared Congress, and dealers will want to keep an eye on it. Read more.
Tennessee denies Scout Motors dealer license for direct sales
Tennessee regulators have denied Scout Motors a dealer license, preventing the Volkswagen-owned brand from selling directly to buyers in the state for now. According to Kelley Blue Book, the decision is a setback for a brand that plans to sell its Terra truck and Traveler SUV directly rather than through dealerships. Read more.
Average new vehicle price hits record $51,109 in October
According to Kelley Blue Book data, the average new vehicle buyer in the U.S. paid a record $51,109 in October, topping the previous high of $50,614 set last December. Sales of lower-priced compact cars and SUVs are rising, but they aren’t growing fast enough to offset demand for expensive full-size trucks. Read more.
Hertz to close dedicated car sales locations, shift focus to online sales
Hertz is closing its dedicated Hertz Car Sales locations as it focuses its used-vehicle retail strategy on online sales and its rental network. The company confirmed the change in a statement sent to CBT News. Read more.
Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss
How Open Road Capital pairs minority equity with operational freedom
For decades, retail automotive succession followed a rigid binary formula of dealer principals either retaining total ownership with all personal net worth tied to the store, or selling the entire operation to a consolidator, forfeiting their family name, employee culture, and local standing. On Monday’s episode of Inside Automotive, we sat down with Open Road Capital Co-Founders Tim Batchelor and Eric Chelline, alongside Operating Partner Jesse Hord of Keeler Motor Car Company, join us to discuss how flexible equity models solve succession challenges, align with manufacturer goals, and fuel multi-state dealership growth.
Next Week on CBT Live: We’re Live from Used Car Week 2026
Join CBT News Co-Founders Bridget and Jim Fitzpatrick live from Used Car Week in San Diego! We’ll have live updates and interviews from the event every day at noon Eastern (9:00 a.m. PT) Monday through Wednesday. Monday’s guests include Bill Zadeits, President of Cherokee Media Group and Chair of Used Car Week, and Kyle Elder of Street Volkswagen of Amarillo.
