Inside Automotive
How state dealer associations are tackling EV headwinds — Christine Vinatieri-Erickson
On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Christine Vinatieri-Erickson, president of the South Dakota Auto Dealer Association (SDADA) and the South Dakota Trucking Association (SDTA). Erickson is a former state house and city council official, turned association leader and retail automotive lobbyist, leveraging her connections to support dealers and truckers across South Dakota. Now, she explains the latest automotive trends in her state and how her associations are working to make the car business better for buyers and sellers alike. Watch full segment here.
Top Stories
Wholesale used vehicle values declined in the first two weeks of February, following similar drops in listing prices and inventory levels seen across the pre-owned market throughout January. According to Cox Automotive, the month-over-month decrease in pre-owned auction prices was 0.9%, while the year-over-year drop was 13.8%. In early 2023, used vehicle prices were heavily inflated, driven up by restricted inventory levels and unappeased demand, both in the new and pre-owned market. Read More
Ford has cut prices on last year’s Mach-E lineup as it looks to boost competition with Tesla and improve upon its marginal electric vehicle market share. The automaker introduced discounts of $3,100, $4,100, $7,600, or $8,100, depending on the model, with all price cuts effective as of February 20. The cheapest variant, the rear-wheel drive edition, received a $3,100 price reduction and now costs $39,895, putting it below the $40,000 mark. Read More
A Nikkei article reported on February 19 disclosed that Japan’s transport ministry is preparing to take legal action against a Toyota Motor affiliate for falsifying engine emissions testing. This legal action could result in the revocation of certification for specific engine types. The article stated that the government will provide Toyota Industries, the world’s largest forklift truck manufacturer, with instructions on how to prevent a “recurrence of the misconduct.” Read More
On February 19, General Motors (GM) put out a stop-sale order on all 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize trucks, following a December stop-sale order of 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EVs. This move marks the automaker’s second stop-sale order in the last three months. The automaker prompted the first order in response to the December announcement of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. The order addressed software issues owners identified, such as sporadic glitches with the car’s screens and difficulties with DC fast charging. Read More
