Nancy Dunham

2 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

Dealers can expect tighter margins as summer unfolds, report  Kelley Blue Book analysts. The average transaction price (ATP) for new vehicles held steady in May at $48,799, virtually unchanged from April’s revised figure of $48,811, according to new data from Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. Adding to retail woes is a slow new-vehicle sales pace, raising fresh concerns about dealer profitability heading into the summer.

2 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

NOVI, MI – The car is no longer just a machine – it’s a media platform, a mobile living room and potentially the most immersive entertainment space consumers own. But for auto dealers, that transformation raises significant questions: What role do they play in helping customers adopt new in-vehicle tech? How can they demonstrate value to tech-phobic shoppers? And how can OEMs, tech partners and dealers come together to deliver content-rich, personalized and safe experiences behind the wheel?

3 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

U.S. dealers aren’t the only ones who face a rollercoaster ride throughout the electric-vehicle sales landscape. Canadian interest in EVs remains largely unchanged in 2025, according to the J.D. Power 2025 Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) Study, with 28% of new-vehicle shoppers saying they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider an EV – down just one point from a year ago.

4 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

Despite flat total sales and economic uncertainty, data shows that retail demand is holding steady and dealership profits are climbing. Don’t let the recent news reports saying auto sales are on a downward spiral spook you. Retail demand for new vehicles remains resilient despite a flattening total sales volume and growing uncertainty around tariffs, according to a joint May 2025 forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData.

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

Even the best analysts can’t say how the traditionally busy summer auto retail market will evolve, but Cox Automotive’s Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index offers clues. Mid-month data – on a mixed-, mileage- and seasonally adjusted basis – shows the Index fell to 205.9. That’s still 4.4% higher than the full month of May 2024. The seasonal adjustment pulled the reading lower than raw trends suggested, as the market remained stronger than typical for this time of year, analysts say.