ICYMI: Ford holds its 2025 profit outlook despite a second Novelis fire. Hyundai launches 2026 Palisade hybrid. Senate Republicans will challenge the effectiveness and cost of vehicle-safety mandates. Fixed ops is key to dealership profitability, but is often undervalued.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
Ford maintains 2025 profit outlook after second Novelis fire
Ford Motor Co. said on Friday that the second fire at the Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego will not affect its profits. In a joint statement with Novelis, the automaker said the fire was “swiftly contained” and that the cold mill and heat-treatment operations are running normally. The company also confirmed that Novelis continues to ship finished material to Ford. Read More
Hyundai launches 2026 Palisade hybrid to strengthen global market position
At a recent media drive event, Hyundai executives unveiled the 2026 Palisade Hybrid, highlighting the company’s rise in global automotive rankings. Hyundai now ranks as a top-five brand in 26 markets and among the top three in 12, a milestone that illustrates the automaker’s steady climb in the industry hierarchy. Read More
Senate Republicans to challenge vehicle-safety mandates
Senate Republicans plan to hold a hearing on Jan. 14 to question the effectiveness and cost of vehicle-safety mandates, including automatic emergency braking and rear-seat child alerts, according to the Wall Street Journal. The hearing will summon CEOs from Detroit’s Big Three automakers and a senior Tesla executive to explain why new vehicles have reached an average price of $50,000. Read More
Fixed ops remain key to dealership profitability, yet potential is often undervalued
Fixed operations, such as service and parts departments, are the most lucrative areas of dealership profitability, yet many owners and managers undervalue their potential. Experts recommend that a healthy dealership aim for a fixed absorption rate of 100% or higher, meaning service and parts profits cover all operating expenses. In August 2025, the national average fixed absorption rate reached 63.9%, up from 61% in August 2024, with some Virginia dealerships surpassing 105%, according to NADA’s October Dealer Academy data. Read More
Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss
Virginia’s Time Dealer of the Year nominee builds legacy through culture and community – Emily Marlow Beck
Virginia’s Emily Marlow Beck, president of Marlow Motor Company and third-generation owner, has been named her state’s nominee for the 2026 Time Dealer of the Year, the first female nominee from Virginia since 1998. On this upcoming episode of Inside Automotive, she shares insights on managing a family-owned dealership, fostering employee engagement, and navigating the changes surrounding the automotive market.
Lee Harkins shares profit-boosting strategies for service departments
Small operational changes in service and parts can translate into big gains for dealership profitability. On this episode of Service Drive, President and CEO of M5 Management Services, Lee Harkins, outlines the shifts dealerships can make to boost net profits in service and parts. His core message is direct: apply sales-department discipline to fixed ops.Â
