ICYMI: Trump administration challenges Ford’s partnerships with Chinese companies. Canada retaliates with tariffs as U.S. trade tensions escalate. August sales remain strong despite rising vehicle payments. Dealership buy/sell activity reaches a record 462 transactions as buyers prioritize scale. Used-vehicle demand keeps climbing as dealers eye a steady fall market.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
Trump administration challenges Ford’s partnerships with Chinese companies
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley on Tuesday, criticizing the automaker’s business relationships with China. Duffy identified Ford’s partnerships with CATL, Geely and BYD as potential national security concerns and urged Ford to reduce its reliance on Chinese companies. Duffy raised particular concern about Ford’s use of licensed CATL technology at its BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. Notably, the Department of War, the renamed U.S. Department of Defense, lists CATL as a company with ties to China’s military. Read More
Canada retaliates with tariffs as U.S. trade tensions escalate
Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods just after midnight Tuesday, deepening a trade dispute that erupted last month when negotiations between the two countries collapsed. The new duties carry rates ranging from 15% to 50% and cover products including steel, furniture, clothing and electronics. Canadian and U.S. officials have blamed each other for the breakdown in talks, but neither government has scheduled ministerial or higher-level negotiations. Read More
August sales remain strong despite rising vehicle payments
According to the latest NADA Market Beat forecast, new-vehicle sales remained solid in August, with the industry posting a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.8 million units. The pace was up 1.5% from a year earlier and remained ahead of expectations for 2026. Raw sales reached 1.38 million units, up 1.3% from July. Read More
Dealership buy/sell activity reaches record 462 transactions as buyers prioritize scale
The auto dealership buy/sell market completed a record 462 transactions in the trailing 12 months through June, extending a run that has held steady even as dealership earnings soften, according to the newly released Second Quarter 2026 Blue Sky Report from Kerrigan Advisors. Dealers closed 224 transactions in the first half of 2026, up 2% from 220 a year earlier, running 107% above the 2015-2019 pre-pandemic average. Industry earnings fell between 10% and 20% year over year, yet buyers kept betting on long-term consolidation rather than pulling back. Read More
Used-vehicle demand keeps climbing as dealers eye a steady fall market
According to the latest CarGurus Intelligence Report, new-vehicle inventory carried an unusual mix in August, with next-year models making up just 12.4% of stock, well below the 22.1% to 25.2% range recorded from 2023 through 2025. The shift emerged as new-vehicle demand kept softening and used-vehicle demand extended its yearlong run of steady growth. New-vehicle sales fell nearly 4% year over year in August, erasing the gains seen in May and June. Automakers still pulled back new inventory during the month, dropping it to the lowest level so far this year, though it remained close to 2025 levels. Read More
Next week on CBT Live:
Join CBT News Co-Founders Bridget and Jim Fitzpatrick live at noon Eastern each weekday for the latest in automotive news headlines, plus exclusive live interviews with dealers and industry insiders. Monday’s live guests include Jeremy Beaver, CEO of Del Grande Dealer Group, and Ed Garsten, Senior Contributor at Forbes.com.
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The real reason Chinese cars aren’t available in the U.S.
The debate over whether Chinese automakers should enter the U.S. market is becoming harder for the automotive industry to ignore. Consumers facing record vehicle prices and higher financing costs are looking for more affordable options, while dealers and manufacturers are weighing concerns around national security, data privacy, competition and the future of the U.S. auto industry. David Spisak, President and CEO of Disruptive Growth Solutions, addresses the issue in today’s Inside Automotive episode.
