CarMax’s new interim CEO says the used car retailer will reduce its margins to lower prices and spend more money on advertising geared toward private-party sellers. +

The latest new vehicle sales reports show U.S. dealers sold more vehicles in 2025 than in 2024 but performed better in the first three quarters of the year than in Q4 and December. +

Automotive News reports Nissan has revamped its stair-step incentive strategy for 2026, eliminating a $1,200 per vehicle bonus for U.S. dealers who reach 110% of their quarterly sales goals. +

Tesla sold 418,227 new EVs in Q4, down 15% year-over-year, finishing 2025 with sales of 1.6 million new units, an 8.1% decrease from 2024 and less than half the global tally of China’s BYD. +

Spyne’s Sanjay Varnwal believes auto retail’s embrace of AI tools should inspire other industries to invest in solutions designed to autonomously and efficiently engage consumers. +

Founder Jim Lawrence announced the launch of ImagineMyDreamCar, a new AI-driven lead generation platform designed to help dealers target “ultra-high-net-worth” clientele. +

DealNow’s Brad Parker urges dealers to focus on private party and service lane acquisition as traditionally reliable channels grow increasingly competitive. +

Cerence AI will debut two new conversational AI agents — one for dealers and the other for car buyers — at the upcoming CES 2026, which will be held in January in Las Vegas. +

Cox Automotive’s Q4 Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index finds dwindling optimism among retailers as escalating costs, prices and uncertainty affect profits and consumer confidence. +

Automotive News’s latest U.S. new-vehicle sales report shows slowing EV sales in the wake of an expired federal tax credit, offset by steady demand for trucks and hybrids. +