December Newsletter

On the heels of giving many thanks and taking stock on all we are thankful for over this past Thanksgiving weekend; we begin to look forward to arguably the most magical time of the year.

December is typically a robust month for our industries, and this year is setting up to deliver another strong finish. Dealers are seeing a bit more inventory, used car pricing has somewhat settled into a comfortable position, and the recent rise in interest rates hasn’t seemed to slow sales as much as some anticipated. Dealers should consider these headwinds in their 2023 planning and forecasting.

Here are a few items which seem to be picking up energy in our recent conversations with dealers across the country.

As the team at ADS looks back on 2022 and the many successes we’ve had, we are proud to have the partnerships we have with so many dealers and industry leading providers. Without the resolute support of so many, we wouldn’t be able to be so focused on exceeding our dealer’s goals and objectives.

Merry Christmas!

Link to our full newsletter.

FTC Extends Deadline by Six Months for Compliance with Some Changes to Financial Data Security Rule

Financial institutions covered by the Safeguards Rule must comply with certain provisions by June 9, 2023

The Federal Trade Commission today announced it is extending by six months the deadline for companies to comply with some of the changes the agency implemented to strengthen the data security safeguards financial institutions must put in place to protect their customers’ personal information. The deadline for complying with some of the updated requirements of the Safeguards Rule is now June 9, 2023.

The Safeguards Rule requires non-banking financial institutions, such as mortgage brokers, motor vehicle dealers, and payday lenders, to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive security program to keep their customers’ information safe.

The Commission is extending the deadline based on reports, including a letter from the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, that there is a shortage of qualified personnel to implement information security programs and that supply chain issues may lead to delays in obtaining necessary equipment for upgrading security systems. These difficulties were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues may make it difficult for financial institutions, especially small ones, to come into compliance by the deadline.

The FTC approved changes to the Safeguards Rule in October 2021 that include more specific criteria for what safeguards financial institutions must implement as part of their information security programs. While many provisions of the rule went into effect 30 days after publication of the rule in the Federal Register, other sections of the rule were set to go into effect on December 9, 2022. The provisions of the updated rule specifically affected by the six-month extension include requirements that covered financial institutions:

  • designate a qualified individual to oversee their information security program,
  • develop a written risk assessment,
  • limit and monitor who can access sensitive customer information,
  • encrypt all sensitive information,
  • train security personnel,
  • develop an incident response plan,
  • periodically assess the security practices of service providers, and
  • implement multi-factor authentication or another method with equivalent protection for any individual accessing customer information.

The Commission vote to extend the deadline was 4-0.  Commissioner Wilson issued a separate statement.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

Originally posted by the FTC.

Ford postpones deadline for dealers to decide on EV investment

Dealers will get an extra month to decide whether to spend up to $1.2M on chargers and other upgrades the automaker is requiring for certification to sell EVs after 2023.


DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. is giving its dealers an extra month to decide whether they will agree to invest up to $1.2 million and follow other new standards the automaker is imposing so they can sell electric vehicles after next year.

The Oct. 31 deadline has been pushed back to Dec. 2 after some retailers asked for more time to make a decision, according to Ford spokesman Marty Gunsberg.

“We value our relationship with our dealers and have decided to provide additional time for dealers who have not yet decided or asked for more time,” Gunsberg said in a statement.

He declined to say how many dealers have already opted in, saying Ford will provide figures after the enrollment period ends.

The new deadline more closely aligns with the Dec. 15 deadline Lincoln dealers face for a similar program requiring up to $900 million in investment. Dealers who sell both brands would have to invest in each program.

The Ford standards are divided into two tiers with different investment levels in fast chargers and staff training. Dealers who choose the lower dollar amount will be limited in the number of EVs they can sell.

Dealers who don’t make the upgrades will be limited to selling internal-combustion vehicles and hybrids from the Ford brand.

The EV sales cap has rankled some state dealer associations, who argue that it violates state laws. The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association earlier this month sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley and other executives asking them to reconsider the program and revise the rules.

Separately, a group of automotive trade association executives, representing associations in Virginia and 11 other southern states, this week asked Ford to “reconsider the Ford Model e program as it is currently described,” saying it “includes unreasonable restrictions on dealer autonomy.” Model e is the name of the EV division that Farley created this year and oversees as its president.

The new sales standards require dealers to set nonnegotiable prices for EVs. Those who choose the lower-priced certification tier won’t be allowed to carry any EVs in inventory, with their customers having to order exactly what they want for later delivery.

Ford has said each of its roughly 3,000 U.S. dealers can choose whether to opt in to the standards, and it will not force any to do so.

Dealers who opt in will be certified to sell EVs from Jan. 1, 2024, until the end of 2026. Those who don’t will have another opportunity to be certified for EV sales starting in 2027, but again, won’t be required to do so to retain their franchise, officials have said.

Originally posted by Automotive News.

Auto loan delinquencies rise as loan-accommodation programs end

With inflation cutting into the budgets of Americans, a growing percentage of people with auto loans are struggling to make their monthly payments.

TransUnion, which tracks more than 81 million auto loans in the U.S., said Tuesday the percentage of loans that are at least 60 days delinquent hit 1.65% in the third quarter, the highest rate for 60-day delinquencies in more than a decade

“Consumers still want to stay current as best that they can. It’s just this inflationary environment is making it challenging,” Satyan Merchant, senior vice president of TransUnion, told CNBC. “It leaves fewer dollars in their pocket to make the auto loan payment, because they’ve got to pay more for eggs and milk and other things.”

The biggest impact is being felt among among subprime borrowers who have lower credit scores and often have lower income.

In September, the average transaction price for a new vehicle was $47,138, up almost $2,600 compared with the year-earlier period, according to the auto research firm Edmunds. The average price paid for a used vehicle was $30,566, a jump of almost $2,500 from September 2021.

The rise in delinquencies also follows the end of loan-accommodation programs set up during the pandemic. Those programs were designed to help consumers who may have lost their job to avoid having a car repossessed because they couldn’t make the monthly payment. 

“There has been this effect where the delinquency that may have occurred over the last few years is really just pushed out or delayed because that consumer didn’t have to make payments or their status was on an accommodation. So now some of those are hitting,” Merchant said. 

TransUnion said approximately 200,000 auto loans that previously took advantage of the pandemic-era accommodation are now listed as 60 days delinquent. About 100,000 accounts that are more than 60 days delinquent remain in accommodation programs, the credit firm said.

Despite the rise in delinquencies, Merchant believes the auto loan market remains healthy. The average interest rate for a new-vehicle loan climbed to 5.2% in the third quarter, while the average rate for a used vehicle loan hit 9.7%, according to TransUnion. Both are up more than one percentage point compared with the year-earlier period.

Those higher interest rates are pressuring many consumers to stretch out the terms of their loans to at least seven years, Merchant said. Still, delinquency rates have been kept somewhat in check by low unemployment.

“If we get into a position where employment starts to be a challenge in the United States and unemployment increases, that is when the industry will really start to be concerned about a consumer’s ability to pay their auto loans,” he said.

— CNBC’s Meghan Reeder contributed to this report.

Original article published to CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/08/auto-loan-delinquencies-rise-as-loan-accommodation-programs-end-.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.glip.mobile.shareExtension

AutoNation’s CEO Warns of Used-Car Price Drop as Rising Rates Curb Demand

(Bloomberg) — AutoNation Inc., the biggest US chain of car dealerships, warned that used-vehicle prices are softening as rising interest rates curb demand from more price-sensitive buyers.

The company said Thursday that third-quarter earnings rose to $6 a share excluding some items. That was below the $6.29 a share average of analysts’ estimates. Revenue increased 4% to $6.67 billion, roughly in line with the average of Wall Street projections.

Mike Manley, who took over as chief executive officer of AutoNation a year ago, said he’s been aggressively turning over his portfolio of used cars to make sure he doesn’t get stuck selling them for less than he paid.

“We’re beginning to see used-car prices mitigate with faster depreciation” among mainstream and budget cars, Manley said in an interview. “We benefit from the mix of our portfolio being premium luxury.”

Shares of the company, which also said its board approved a stock buyback of up to $1 billion, pared an early gain of as much as 6.7% to trade up 3.2% to $105.64 as of 9:57 a.m. in New York.

Separately, Hertz Global Holdings Inc. said Thursday that its depreciation costs jumped in the third quarter, reflecting the decline in prices its used cars fetch at auction. Still, the rental-car company narrowly beat Wall Street’s estimates for profit in the period.

Pent-Up Demand

AutoNation’s CEO said new-vehicle inventory is still tight, despite the chip shortage beginning to ease, and there is strong, pent-up demand for vehicles priced above $30,000.

“It’s easing rather than becoming a glut,” he said.

New-car inventory will remain below pre-pandemic levels next year as automakers try to preserve margins to pay for electrification, Manley said on an earnings call Thursday.

In the used-car market, it’s just a matter of time before weaker prices at car auctions filter through to the retail market, pressuring margins for dealers, he said.

Last month, used-car retailer CarMax Inc. said profit from wholesale vehicles dropped 30% in its second quarter as buyers encountered “affordability challenges” and its bank of used cars depreciated.

The article was originally posted by Bloomberg. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/autonation-s-ceo-warns-of-used-car-price-drop-as-rising-rates-curb-demand/ar-AA13qSuj?cvid=d80090900b4a4c25cd9c52261cc24e40&ocid=winp2sv1plustaskbar

The Solution to Dealership Success In Today’s Depressed Economy

In the post-pandemic climate of inventory shortages and heightened consumer demand, industry analysts predicted automakers would sell as many vehicles as they could build. But now, just as supply chains and inventories are starting to flow again, there are new pressures on the horizon. Inflation, and the interest rate hikes meant to ease it, are leading to higher auto financing costs and cooling demand for new cars, according to Agent Entrepreneur. 

Last month, the average interest rate on a new vehicle purchase hit 5.7%, an increase from about 4% in 2021. “It seems likely that much of the pent-up demand from limited supply will dissipate quickly as high interest rates erode car buyers’ willingness and ability to buy,” said Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough. Adding to the equation, the average price for new vehicles reached $45,971 in Q3 2022, up 10% from a year earlier and the highest of any quarter on record, according to J.D. Power.

The irony for dealerships is that just when new vehicles are finally becoming more available, most car buyers can no longer afford them. AutoPayPlus offers dealerships a solution to this challenge. 

AutoPayPlus is an F&I service that uses automated biweekly payments to help car buyers better afford their loan payment, purchase additional products, shorten their trade cycle and return to the dealership with less negative equity. A 10-year analysis has shown that dealerships sell approximately 57% more F&I products on AutoPayPlus deals versus standard retail deals. In addition, results from our company’s top dealer groups reveal a 63% increase in per-vehicle financed income on AutoPayPlus customers.

How does it work? Standard auto loans require one payment every month. Biweekly loan payments divide the monthly amount in half and pay it every two weeks. Because there are 52 weeks in a year, the borrower makes 13 payments over the course of a year (instead of 12) with the extra payment applied to the principal. 

These smaller biweekly payments are scheduled to coincide with when the borrower gets paid to make it easier to plan for and ensure timely repayment. On a monthly basis though, the payment amount is the same. Simply put, this biweekly strategy gives dealerships a solution to present affordable payments in challenging times.

A lot has also been written in recent months about the wisdom of generating more revenue from the service department as a way to improve a dealership’s bottom line and, in turn, create customers who return to the dealership to buy their next vehicle. AutoPayPlus can help here, as well.

The company offers dealerships an industry-first fintech solution for increasing profits from customer-pay service and boosting customer retention. AutoPay+PERKS combines the company’s biweekly loan payment service with the added advantage of a Mastercard debit card at no additional cost to the customer or dealer. 

Once a customer’s AutoPayPlus account has been active for six months and it’s time for their first service, AutoPayPlus sends them a debit Mastercard co-branded with the dealership’s logo and preloaded with $100 that can only be used at the selling dealership’s service department. A dealer boost program allows dealers to load additional funds to the card, further incentivizing their customers’ return to the dealership. It’s a guaranteed way for dealerships to drive new customers to the service department that doesn’t interfere with any other existing retention program such as pre-paid maintenance and, best of all, it’s easy and can be cost-free for dealerships to implement.

As interest rates increase, car buyers are facing significantly higher auto loan payments. And, with no notable inventory improvements forecasted for the fourth quarter combined with waning new-vehicle demand, Cox Automotive is projecting sales in 2022 will be down more than 9% versus 2021 and at the lowest level in a decade. 

Yet, in the face of continued market volatility, supply chain and inventory concerns, and questionable consumer financial strength, opportunity still exists. “The key to a dealership’s success today is to maximize its two primary profit sources,” AutoPayPlus CEO Robert M. Steenbergh explains. “Our programs give agents something to offer their dealerships that no other biweekly program can deliver and a solution to continually build customer loyalty.” 

Originally published on Linkedin by John Stephens, CSO of AutoPayPlus. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solution-dealership-success-todays-depressed-economy-john-stephens/

November Newsletter

November ushers in the official holiday season for many; that comes with a packed schedule full of to-do lists, dinners, trips, etc. Amid all the usual holiday chaos, many of you are expected to wrap-up the current year of business as well as lay out budgets, strategies, and forecasts for the coming year.

This November also brings national and local elections to us. One of the greatest gifts we have as Americans is the ability to get out and vote. Sadly, for a myriad of reasons, many Americans (about half of eligible voters) choose not to vote in mid-term elections. A lot of people only think about voting every four-years when the presidency is on the ballot. Fact is, there is a tremendous amount being done at the state, county, and local level. State representatives, judges, city council, etc. are most likely on ballots in your area. Please get out and vote this November.

As we evaluate 2022 and the successes or opportunities we have had, we must turn our attention to 2023 and what lies ahead. As with 2021, and 2022, there is much uncertainty in the economy, supply-chain, monetary policy, etc.

Here are a few questions being asked…

Although nobody knows for certain what the future holds, we do know there will always be consumers looking to purchase vehicles. The number of consumers and the prices they are willing to pay may vary, but the founding principles of our industry will remain strong and the dealers who provide the best experience will create the greatest value.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s to another great month for everyone!

To view, our entire newsletter follow the link https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/november-newsletter.

We encourage you to vote!

This November brings national and local elections to us. One of the greatest gifts we have as Americans is the ability to get out and vote. Sadly, for a myriad of reasons, many Americans (about half of eligible voters) choose not to vote in mid-term elections. A lot of people only think about voting every four-years when the presidency is on the ballot. Fact is, there is a tremendous amount being done at the state, county, and local level. State representatives, judges, city council, etc. are most likely on ballots in your area. Please get out and vote this November.

Automotive Marketing & Industry Trends Shaping 2023

Several automotive industry trends are impacting its future in 2023 and beyond. These trends involve how vehicles are powered, driven, shopped for, and acquired. Plus, there are statistics you must know about if you plan to buy a vehicle in 2023. Here are the top 10 trends shaping the future of the rapidly changing auto industry and some critical motor vehicle-related statistics.

Trends Shaping The Auto Industry In 2023

1. Increased Production Of Electric Cars With Digital Technology

Automakers continue to integrate more digital technology into their vehicles. Technology companies like Google and Tesla are also working on electric and self-driving vehicles. As a result, it’s clear that vehicles produced in 2023 and beyond with be full of technology to address digital touchpoints. There’s fierce competition to develop software and digital and electronic operating systems to power and control the new, innovative zero-emission electric vehicles. These new vehicles will be filled with digital technology.

2. A Rise In Digital Automobile Sales

Automakers in North America and Europe have started giving consumers the option to skip the visit to the car dealership and pick and purchase the vehicles they want online. With a computer or smartphone, buyers can shop at their convenience, explore and select the features they want on a vehicle and get the financing they need. In addition, dealerships now offer online sales, let an online buyer use virtual walk-around technology, facilitate at-home test drives and do home delivery of vehicles they sell. More dealerships will do so in 2023.

3. Increased Sales Of Pre-Owned Vehicles

There is a boom in used car sales going on. Car industry experts anticipate a 9% growth rate in used car sales between 2019 and 2025. The demand for used automobiles is rising, particularly for vehicles four years old or newer. These vehicles have many of the latest automotive technologies but are not as expensive as new ones. This includes pre-owned electric and hybrid automobiles. Dealerships now have inventories full of certified pre-owned autos that look, feel, and function like new cars but cost much less. Low APR financing also helps make pre-owned vehicles very attractive

4. More Connected Cars

Connected cars are vehicles connected to the Internet of Things using wireless means. These vehicles provide a safe, comfortable, convenient multimedia experience by using on-demand features that allow you to do anything you want on the web while in your vehicle. Connected cars can communicate bidirectionally with various other systems outside their local network. The vehicles can share internet access and data with devices inside and outside the car. Connected cars now send digital data and remote diagnostics, vehicle health reports, data-only telematics, access 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspots, get turn-by-turn directions, warn of car health issues and directly intervene to prevent breakdowns. Over a billion customer requests were processed by 2015, and connected car technology will explode on the scene in diverse ways in 2023 using predictive intelligence and maintenance technology

5. More Innovative Online Marketing Strategies

In China, automobile dealers use third-party e-commerce platforms to market cars, schedule visits, and book test drives. Social media influencers will significantly engage consumers and generate interest in the new vehicles hitting the market in 2023. Technology enablers like Roadster, G Forces, Digital Motors, Sophus3, and CitNow power the automotive ecosystem and engage customers digitally with compelling images, captivating presentations, and potent pitches. And car buyers can expect much more of it in 2023.

6. The Emergence Of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

In 2023, the worldwide emergence of fuel cell electric vehicles is poised. More and more people embrace fuel cell electric vehicles because they recharge faster, have up to 5 times the range of other electric vehicles, and only emit water out of their tailpipes. Many cars, truck, and SUV manufacturers are investing in fuel cell electric vehicle development. China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States are backing fuel cell electric auto technology. So, 2023 could be the year they break through.

7. Shared Mobility

Shared mobility is a new business model growing in popularity that’s an alternative to vehicle ownership in the traditional sense. With shared mobility, two or more people use the exact vehicle with short-term access. It’s mobility-as-a-service like Uber or using a personal rental. This demand-driven vehicle-sharing arrangement has become a lot more popular in recent years. New companies offering shared mobility options are popping up daily, creating a creative, affordable, convenient alternative to vehicle ownership’s high costs and many responsibilities. Shared mobility is expected to grow dramatically in 2023.

8. Autonomous Self-Driving Vehicles

Autonomous self-driving vehicles are here and will be more prevalent in 2023 and beyond. Research has shown autonomous vehicles are safer, reduce downtime, expand the last-mile delivery scope, reduce driver fatigue and negligence-related accidents, improve fuel efficiency by 10%, and reduce CO2 emissions by 42 million metric tons annually. Several trucking companies have installed self-driving technology and have tested it at locations nationwide. Beginning in 2023, it will become commonplace to see a fleet of autonomous self-driving commercial trucks or a self-driving Tesla in the lane next to you.

9. Truck Platooning

Another automotive industry trend you will see more in 2023 is truck platooning. This is when multiple trucks use vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity to drive close behind each other while traveling at high speeds. Truck platooning will become more common in 2023 and beyond because research has shown that trucks driving in this type of formation increase their fuel efficiency exponentially. Truck platooning is particularly effective when used in combination with autonomous freight transport. As autonomous self-driving trucks become more commonplace on the road, so will the use of truck platooning.

10. Automakers And Technology Company Partnerships

With the rapid rate at which new technological advancements are being added to cars and other vehicles, it’s not surprising to see automakers and technology companies forming partnerships. Electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles require specialized software and advanced technology to function safely and correctly. Car, truck and SUV manufacturers must either make massive investments in their technology divisions or partner with tech companies that can design and produce the new operating systems the next generation of technologically advanced automobiles will need. In 2023 you will see many more automobile manufacturers and tech company partnerships.

10 Must-Know Statistics

The emerging automotive trends are caused by and are creating several significant changes in the habits of consumers. Here are ten must-know statistics that can help you see those trends’ impact.

  1. In the United States, automobile dealerships and auto parts stores make up 20% of the country’s retail sales. That is the largest sector of the total U.S retail sales.
  2. In 2020, the automotive industry in the United States employed 4.1 million people and contributed $562.2 billion to the country’s gross domestic product. That’s 2.5% of the GDP.
  3. Electric vehicles release 54% fewer CO2 emissions into the atmosphere than even the newest gas-powered vehicles.
  4. There are 1.2 million electric vehicles in use in the United States today. There are expected to be 18.7 million by 2030.
  5. Under the new NAFTA, 75% or more of the components of American cars must be manufactured in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
  6. Currently, vehicles assembled in the U.S. are made with about 40% to 50% of imported parts.
  7. Of the auto workers building those cars, 30% or more must earn $16 an hour. The number will increase to 40% in 2023.
  8. Automobile industry experts predict in 2023 and beyond, car subscriptions will become the most popular alternative to private ownership of autos. They see the car subscription programs having a 23.9% share, with car-sharing and ride-hailing making up only 1% each.
  9. The self-driving truck market globally is anticipated to be over $1,699 billion by 2025.
  10. About 50% of small businesses say that truck fleets will be completely self-driving in 20 years. More than 35% of them say it could happen in 10 years.

Originally posted by Linchpin https://linchpinseo.com/automotive-industry-trends/.