Jason Gillette

According to Cox Automotive Inc.'s July Auto Market Report, the industry saw strong gains: ⏺️ +6.6% new-vehicle sales YoY ⏺️ +2% used retail sales YoY ⏺️ Credit access improved across most lender types Lower prices, higher incentives, and better credit access are creating opportunities for lenders to serve more borrowers—especially in near- and non-prime segments. These trends underscore the importance of adapting lending strategies to meet shifting demand and credit dynamics. Read the full Cox Automotive report here: https://lnkd.in/gEEZ4SGn #AutoLending #AutoFinance #CreditUnions #Banks #OpenLending #LendingInsights #CoxAutomotive

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New car days supply widens by OEM based on Cox Automotive chart. A 4x gap from Toyota 29 days to Audi 120. The brand matters. The Hyundai number is interesting. Has increased from 96 in April to 112 in May? Used car inventory remains tight as supply continues to work through challenges with off lease volume and equity challenges. MAY DAYS’ SUPPLY OF INVENTORY BY BRAND

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The growing tension between Volkswagen and its U.S dealers over VW Group’s controversial plan to sell Scout Motors vehicles directly to consumers reached a new boiling point this week during a meeting on the eve of the NADA Show, with some dealers leaving frustrated and stonewalled. Dealers also remain concerned after VW‘s U.S. sales skidded three straight quarters amid headwinds that include a disappointing ID Buzz launch, the high cost of U.S. tariffs and the lack of a hybrid. The Dealer Principal Summit on Feb. 2 was held for retailers or executive managers only, according to dealers who attended. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gF5aZHhY #Volkswagen #VW #ScoutMotors #automotive #autoindustry #VWdealers

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The best dealers in America don’t buy cars the same way everyone else does. That statement makes some people uncomfortable. But it’s true. When the inventory crisis hit a few years ago, most dealers were saying the same thing: “We can’t find used cars.” Then in 2022, Brian Kramer told me something I’ll never forget. “I don’t have a used vehicle inventory shortage.” A few minutes later he sent me a photo of his lot. It was full. At a time when many dealers were begging auctions, wholesalers, and OEM partners for inventory. His secret? He was buying directly from his own service customers. That was Strategy #1 of the seven acquisition strategies I talked about in hundreds of vlogs between 2020 and 2025. Because the dealers who win long term don’t just sell better. They buy smarter. ⸻ Here’s the uncomfortable truth about used cars: Most dealers still leak profit in the same four places: • Auction fees • Transportation • Reconditioning surprises • Floorplan carrying costs Chris Martinez recently explained it perfectly: “The average gross margin on used vehicles typically falls in the single-digit range, around 6–10%, once you factor in acquisition, reconditioning, transport, and floorplan costs.” And remember — that’s gross margin, not the net profit dealers actually keep. ⸻ @Brian Benstock once said: “You don’t fix your roof when it’s raining.” The dealers who prepared early for the next cycle are the ones positioned best for the 2025–2028 market window. That’s exactly why my partners and I built Vintraxx Acquisitions — to help dealers access late-model inventory with virtually no capital exposure for up to 70 days while reducing those hard acquisition costs. Because the next generation of successful dealers won’t just be great operators. They’ll be great capital managers. ⸻ So I’m curious… Where do the best dealers in your market actually get their used cars? Auctions? Service lane? Private sellers? Trade-in machines? Rental fleets? Or something else entirely? Let’s hear it.

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