ICYMI: Ford’s U.S. sales fell 10.2% in July as the automaker adjusts its retail strategy heading into the second half of the year. GM extended its joint venture with SAIC Motor by 20 years, expanding China-built vehicle exports as global competition intensifies. U.S. auto sales slipped 1.4% in July, with hybrids gaining ground while EV demand continued to cool. Global EV sales hit record highs even as U.S. demand stalled at just 5.8% of the market. Nissan posted its first quarterly profit in two years, despite lowering its sales outlook for the year ahead.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
Ford reports 10.2% July sales decline as retail strategy shifts
Ford sold 169,951 vehicles in the U.S. in July, which is down 10.2% from a year prior. The Detroit automaker stated that this decrease is a result of intentional business decisions rather than a drop in retail demand. Ford reduced sales of low-margin daily rental fleet vehicles and discontinued the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair in preparation for upcoming product launches. Read More
GM extends SAIC partnership 20 years, expands China-built exports amid global competition
General Motors (GM) and SAIC Motor have extended their joint venture for another 20 years. This renewal agreement follows GM’s restructuring of its operations in China, which includes plant closures and reductions in its vehicle lineup. Read More
July U.S. auto sales slip 1.4% as hybrids gain momentum and EV demand continues to cool
U.S. light-vehicle sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.3 million units in July, down 1.4% from a year earlier, according to the latest NADA Market Beat report. Year-to-date SAAR through July stands at 16.0 million units, a 2.2% decline compared with the same period in 2025, and NADA notes that July sales finished slightly below expectations even as they stayed consistent with forecasts for a 16 million-unit market in 2026. Read More
EV sales hit record highs globally as U.S. demand stalls at 5.8%
Global EV sales hit record highs in 50 countries during the second quarter of 2026, but the U.S. market continues to lag far behind, according to a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report cited by Kelley Blue Book. The IEA projects EVs will account for 29% of new vehicle sales worldwide in 2026. Read More
Nissan posts first quarterly profit in two years despite lower sales outlook
Nissan has reported its first quarterly net profit in two years, posting ¥3.76 billion ($23.9 million) for the fiscal first quarter. The automaker exceeded analyst expectations and has maintained its full-year earnings forecast, despite lowering its global sales outlook. Executives attribute the improved results to ongoing restructuring efforts and cost reductions. Read More
Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss
Why fluid testing and transparency are replacing the old service menu
For decades, service departments have relied heavily on standard maintenance menus and rigid mileage intervals to drive recommendations. But as consumer expectations evolve and vehicle technology advances, top-performing dealerships are shifting toward a data-driven, highly transparent model. On an upcoming episode of Service Drive, Nolan Armpriester, General Manager of Twin Pine Ford in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, joins us to discuss how fluid testing, dedicated video walk-around teams, and mobile service operations are transforming fixed operations into a primary revenue driver.
Retention expert reveals future-focused strategy dealers need to keep top talent
Losing a top performer costs more than most dealers realize, often more than double an employee’s salary. Turnover is something most dealerships will eventually face, but having a framework to keep great people on your team should be part of your overall strategy for long-term growth. Retention Expert David Alemian, creator of the Alemian Retention System™ and author of Talent Retention: How to Attract and Retain Highly Skilled Professionals joins us on the next episode of Inside Automotive. Alemian says the driver behind who stays and who leaves isn’t just pay, but whether they see a stronger future inside the dealership or outside of it.
