Nancy Dunham

Tucson

Principal Analyst, Retail at WardsAuto

Principal Analyst, Retail — Wards Auto. People magazine reporter. Opinions my own.

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Articles

Dealers Brace for BEV, Tariff Price Crunch

2 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

New-vehicle prices stayed mostly flat in March, but dealers should brace for what’s next: tariff-driven price hikes and continued upward pressure on battery-electric vehicle pricing. According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle in March was $47,462, down slightly from February’s revised ATP of $47,577. Year over year that marks less than a 1% increase.
EV Demand Holds Strong Despite Political Shifts

2 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

Tesla’s dip doesn’t slow overall EV shopper momentum. Electric-vehicle interest may not be surging, but it’s far from fading – even in the face of political upheaval and market uncertainty. While new federal policies, including a rollback of EV incentives and a levy of aggressive import tariffs, are dominating headlines, industry data tells a more nuanced story when it comes to the U.S. EV market. Dealers, take note: Shoppers continue to visit showrooms and search websites with EVs on their minds.
13 Laws You Could Be Breaking - Without Even Realizing It

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Nancy Dunham |Gillian Manning

32,789 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 32,789 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
Tariff Start Date Sparks Dealer Urgency, Opportunities

3 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

As the U.S. auto industry braces for the potential fallout from 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts due to begin next week, dealers face a mix of disruption, uncertainty – and opportunity. With a go-date for next week from the White House, the countdown is on as automakers and dealers prepare for what some say could be one of the most significant economic shakeups in decades.
Why Insurance Costs Are Killing Deals

4 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Industry voices |Nancy Dunham

As auto insurance rates continue to climb, consultants advise dealers to sharpen their focus on consumer education and dealership process improvements. The payoff? Fewer deals derailed at the last minute and higher customer satisfaction. Various dealers have told WardsAuto that some buyers’ attitudes sour during the F&I discussion when they discover insurance rates for their new vehicles.
Tires Can Boost Profits or Drive Customers Away

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

Roll ahead with tire sales but educate customers to steer clear of dealer – and brand – dissatisfaction. As dealers’ reliance on parts and service grows, WardsAuto reports that tire sales are rising as an untapped source of revenue. But that report comes with a caveat – tire traction and handling are concerns that drive customer dissatisfaction, reports the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study.
Spring Bounce Falters as Wholesale Prices Dip

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

As the retail auto market continues to face tariffs, lower profits and other upsets, used car sales have become a lifeline for continued revenue. Retail used-vehicle sales in February increased month-over-month compared to January, according to Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View. Used vehicles sold by both franchised and independent dealers totaled 1.57 million, up 6% year-over-year.
Dealers Brace for Auto Tariffs to Come

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

The U.S. auto market is entering turbulent territory as new tariffs on vehicles and parts from Canada, Mexico and China are slated to take effect as early as April 2. While February showed no major market disruptions, March, April and beyond could be a different story, especially if tariffs linger into the medium term. Dealers now face a rapidly evolving environment where inventory management, pricing strategy, and product mix could make or break sales performance in Q2 and beyond.
Dealer Credit Outlook Improves, But New-Car Financing Gets Tougher

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

Auto dealers saw a welcome shift in credit accessibility in February, with the Dealertrack Credit Availability Index hitting its highest point since December 2022. The All-Loans Index reached 95.9, marking a month-over-month improvement and a 3.0% increase year over year, signaling better financing conditions for many consumers – particularly in the used-vehicle market.
EV Sales Stalled? J.D. Power’s Roadmap Helps Dealers Drive Forward

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Nancy Dunham

The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study lays out a clear roadmap to help dealers move the EVs on their lots – and confidently tackle those tricky regulatory headwinds and shifting incentives.