If the December numbers for Costco Auto’s certified pre-owned and select pre-owned programs were very good, the January numbers were eye-popping. After demand for CPO and SPO vehicles held steady through much of 2025, Costco reported a strong 10% year-over-year jump in December. That jump transformed into a giant leap in January, when Costco member […] [Read More]

Canadian dealers, franchised and independent, are facing a volatile supply environment and compressed profit margins across multiple fronts.  And more than ever, add-ons and F&I offerings are integral to dealership bottom lines. When done well, the business office often drives repeat sales while building trust and reinforcing its individual brands as a dealer. Jake Stacey, […] [Read More]

Penske Automotive persevered through a challenging fourth quarter of 2025, and the company’s used-vehicle business was no exception. “Used-vehicle sales continue to be constrained by fewer lease returns and affordability,” said Rich Shearing, North American operations officer for Penske Automotive Group. Shearing made that comment during Penske’s fourth quarter 2025 earnings call last week. He […] [Read More]

Mazda dealers have a new way to offer their customers a pick-me-up. On Thursday, Uber for Business announced a partnership with Mazda North American Operation that allows the automaker’s dealers to provide courtesy rides through Uber’s platform. The program is being rolled out to Mazda dealers in the U.S., who can now utilize Uber’s network […] [Read More]

Strong used-vehicle sales saved Lithia & Driveway's otherwise somewhat disappointing fourth quarter results. And while used profits per unit were stagnant, Lithia sees considerable room to improve in that area. Older cars are the key. “I think there's a stage and an evolution that occurs in selling used cars, that I think we've got the […] [Read More]

Here’s some good news: Used-vehicle gross profit for AutoNation was up 5% for the year of 2025, and that reflected increases in used retail and used wholesale, said AutoNation chief financial officer Tom Szlosek. Retail profitability per unit for the year was in line with 2024, but the not-so-good news is that it was modestly […] [Read More]

Affordability will continue to be a big concern for both dealers and consumers in 2026, said panelists at the “2026 Economic Outlook” session at NADA Show last week, and used EVs will offer one solution. They will be less expensive than a new vehicle, whether gas or electric, and used EVs will be plentiful because […] [Read More]

Certified pre-owned sales climbed more than 2% in 2025, and with CPO vehicles remaining a “value signal in a normalizing used market,” J.D. Power is urging dealers and automakers to “lean on CPO as a strategic lever.” There were 2.61 million certified sales last year, which beat 2024 figures by 2.1%, Cox Automotive said, citing […] [Read More]

A global pandemic. Chip shortages. Production and supply issues. Tariff and trade turmoil. The 2020s have been more rollercoaster than roaring for automakers. With the constraints and challenges of the last half decade-plus, OEMs have had to reconsider their approach to marketing and “really maximize the impact of every dollar they’re spending” on advertising, says […] [Read More]

To be frank, it’s a tidy, convenient way for a moderator to wrap up a panel discussion: in the closing 2-3 minutes, give each panelist an opportunity for a parting shot. A key takeaway for the audience, something to watch for in the coming year. It’s also an open-ended way to yield some of the […] [Read More]