Top Stories
NHTSA escalates Ford timing belt probe involving 135,000 vehicles. Read More
Toyota lifts profit outlook as hybrid demand offsets tariffs and supply pressures. Read More
Volvo global sales fall 4% as China weakness offsets U.S. recovery. Read More
EV sales hit record highs globally as U.S. demand stalls at 5.8%. Read More
Featured Interviews
Priority Commerce’s centralized solution to cash flow, compliance and crypto
Taking payment on a car deal is more than simply transferring funds. These days dealers are asking their payments partners to handle compliance and give real-time visibility into cash flow. They also want support for a growing list of payment types beyond credit and debit cards. Priority Commerce Automotive (formerly Dealer Merchant Services) says it’s built to meet those demands, processing more than $160 billion in payments volume while giving dealers a single command center to manage cash flow across departments and rooftops. Watch the full segment here.
How profit participation can help dealers build long-term wealth
For many dealers, F&I profitability doesn’t end when a vehicle leaves the showroom. Behind the scenes, participation programs can create another revenue stream by allowing retailers to share in the profits generated through service contracts and other protection products. But as the automotive retail landscape evolves, so have the strategies dealers use to maximize those opportunities. Watch the full segment here.
ICYMI
Dave Cantin explains what’s driving demand for luxury dealerships
Luxury dealership demand continues to outpace supply, driving competition among buyers across the country. On the latest episode of Inside M&A, Dave Cantin, Founder and CEO of Dave Cantin Group (DCG), explains why dealer groups are willing to expand far beyond their traditional markets to acquire premium franchises and what the trend means for valuations, succession planning and dealership owners considering a sale. Watch the full segment here.
DriveCentric’s DC20 draws 100+ dealers to St. Louis
DriveCentric held its DC20 event in St. Louis last week, bringing together more than 100 dealership attendees for three days of CRM training, workshops, and networking. The event included more than 15 speakers and 12-plus workshops covering engagement center optimization, AI agents in the dealership, video and social selling, sales process rebuilds and CRM leadership strategy. CBT News Co-founder Jim Fitzpatrick attended DC20 in person and spoke with some of the organizers, speakers and attendees throughout the event. Watch the full segment here.
