Chris Arkell

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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This useful #framework carries a lot of relevance for a #dealership business. It's about moving past "human error" to find the real root cause of issues, which I think is key for improving #automotiveretail operations. ​By applying this to your dealership, you can solve problems more effectively—whether it's a mistake on a customer's finance paperwork, an inefficiency in the service bay, or a miscommunication with the sales team. It helps you get to the heart of the issue, leading to better processes and a smoother experience for your customers. Delve deeper, dont buy into every excuse thrown at you! #ambitcollective

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Yesterday nine automotive brands reported US sales for November, which includes 16 BEV models. In the chart below, I’ve only included totals for 13 of the 16 as the Hyundai IONIQ 9 was not available until May, and the Acura ZDX and Genesis Electrified G80 have both been discontinued in the US. So, across the remaining 13 BEV models: - November sales totaled 10,895 — up 23% from the 8,887 in October. - However, the Lexus RZ 450, Subaru Solterra, and Toyota bZ4x — all built on the same platform — suffered from a safety recall in September and each saw less than 20 units sold in the US in October. The three models rebounded in November: Lexus RZ 450 (147), Subaru Solterra (232), and Toyota bZ4x (1,273). So if you exclude those three models from the analysis, November sales for the remaining 10 models were up only 406 units versus October. - November sales were down 35% from the Q2 2025 average. I compare to Q2 as it is perhaps the more realistic comparison before the announcement that the federal tax credit would end, which led to a significant rush to buy/lease EVs in Q3. Of the 16 models, 10 saw a sales increase in November versus October, including: - The Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 6 were each up 23% in November - Honda Prologue up 12% - Ford Mustang Mach-E was up 4% and had the most sales of the group at 3,014 units - The Kia EV 6 and EV9 were up 19% and 38% respectively. And of the 16 BEV models, five saw sales declines in November vs October (the discontinued Genesis Electrified G80 has had zero sales the last 3 months (due to character limit see the comments for detail on these models). So what does it all mean, is there anything we can learn from November sales of a small number of BEV models? A few thoughts: 1) Yes, when you exclude the models being discontinued and the F-150 Lighting (production halt due to a supplier fire/lower than expected sales) — 10 of the remaining 13 models saw MoM increases. If this trend continues, as I’ve predicted previously — BEV sales should be back to levels at or near those of Q2 2025 in Q2 2026, and then start to increase as compelling and affordable new models become available. 2) Sales of the Mustang Mach-E in November were actually higher than in April, June, and October — and only a few hundred units below Jan and Feb. And similarly, Nov sales of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 were only a few hundred units below its sales in Jan and Feb. If this trend applies to other higher-volume models such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV — then this is a decent sign that demand will return for the more popular BEV models in Q1 and Q2 2026. 3) On the other hand, I expect OEMs to continue pruning low-volume BEV models, and models that are less competitive than they should be — will continue to suffer from poor sales. List of the 16 models also in the comments.

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At today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing, Paul McCarthy , CEO of MEMA. The Vehicle Suppliers Association was the sole automotive voice at the table discussing USMCA’s impact. The data speaks for itself: U.S. parts production is up $37B since 2019, and more than 70% of suppliers now identify North America as their primary sourcing region. Automotive supply chains depend on long-term certainty. As review approaches, maintaining the Automotive Chapter and rules of origin is critical to continued investment and competitiveness. #USMCA #AdvancedManufacturing #Mobility

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🚗 A Wake-Up Call for the Automotive Industry In a recent interview, https://lnkd.in/gNRApeJ3 Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed that many dealerships are facing a two-week backlog in service appointments—not because of demand, but because we simply don’t have enough trained technicians to meet it. It’s an industry-wide challenge that threatens customer satisfaction, dealership profitability, and long-term brand loyalty. The vehicles are evolving. Our workforce strategy must evolve with them. #AutomotiveIndustry #TechnicianShortage #Dealerships #FutureOfWork

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The supplier relationship gap just hit a new high. The 2025 Working Relations Index survey is out, and this year’s results raised eyebrows across the industry. Toyota, Honda, and GM continued to improve. Meanwhile, Nissan, Ford, and Stellantis declined, creating the widest gap in WRI scores since 2007. So, what happened? And what can we learn from the OEMs that are getting it right? Plante Moran's Dr. Angela Johnson walks us through the results and what every OEM and supplier should take from this year’s data. 🎧 Don’t miss the latest episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast. ➡️ bit.ly/4ldlerI

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The new Jeep Cherokee is an instrumental piece of Stellantis’ U.S. sales turnaround. Here’s more on its importance as it begins arriving in dealerships: The Cherokee returns after a three-year hiatus, rejoining the compact and midsize vehicle markets, which represent the largest segments in the U.S. It also marks Jeep’s first traditional hybrid model and its most fuel-efficient, gas-powered vehicle ever in the U.S. The automaker has set a target to increase retail sales by roughly 25% in 2026 to 1.15 million vehicles, driven by updated and new models as well as pricing and product realignments to move vehicles off dealer lots. https://lnkd.in/gwTZfwxW

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Exclusive: Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley told employees in a town hall that companywide bonuses would be set to 130% — mainly due to improved initial vehicle quality, sources told Reuters, as the automaker delivered on its goal to improve vehicle quality https://reut.rs/4re053D

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Nissan Reportedly Planning CEO Shake-Up Amid Financial Struggles Nissan is exploring the replacement of CEO Makoto Uchida following disappointing earnings and the collapse of merger talks with Honda, according to sources familiar with the matter. While no final decision has been made, the automaker is already evaluating potential successors. Key Takeaways: 🔻 Projected ¥80B ($536M) net loss for fiscal 2024, a sharp drop from the previously expected ¥380B profit 🔻 CEO Uchida previously signaled willingness to step down but aimed to stabilize the company first 🔻 Failed merger talks with Honda leave Nissan searching for new strategic options 🔻 Debt challenges & credit downgrades add pressure to Nissan’s turnaround efforts Nissan’s Struggles & Leadership Transition 📉 Financial Setbacks – Nissan is facing record debt payments in 2025, and its credit rating has been downgraded to junk status by major agencies. ⚡ Partnership Uncertainty – The Honda merger collapsed over disagreements, but Nissan will continue collaborating with Honda and Mitsubishi on EV battery and software development. 💰 Potential Investors Eye Nissan – Foxconn has expressed interest in acquiring a stake in Nissan or buying Renault’s 36% share, aiming to expand into EV production. U.S. private equity firm KKR has explored investment options to strengthen Nissan’s financial future. What’s Next for Nissan? As Nissan searches for new leadership, the company faces critical decisions on strategic partnerships, vehicle innovation, and financial stability. Uchida’s successor will play a pivotal role in shaping Nissan’s future amid a rapidly changing auto industry. #Nissan #AutoIndustry #LeadershipChange #MakotoUchida #BusinessNews

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In this special episode of Tim Talks, Tim sits down with dealer principal Tim Pohanka to unpack one of the most creative, daring, and downright fun marketing experiments the automotive world has seen in years. Pohanka and two other Nissan dealer principals each bought a sub-$10,000 used Nissan, added minimal modifications, and embarked on a 1,200-mile off-road endurance challenge across Utah’s most brutal terrain — from the Bonneville Salt Flats to Moab, Little Sahara, Cathedral Valley, and more. With more than 150 hours of drone, in-car, and cinematic footage, the “Tour Detour” chronicles not only the punishing journey but also the surprising durability of these inexpensive vehicles, particularly the much-debated Nissan CVT. What emerges is more than a road trip. It’s a blueprint for modern dealership storytelling: raw, human, adventurous, and anchored in authenticity instead of polished ad scripts. The conversation dives into how this grassroots project reshapes consumer perception, celebrates the joy of the American road trip, and proves that creativity in auto retail still has endless room to grow. It’s part entertainment, part marketing masterclass, and fully a reminder that the car business can — and should — still be fun. Takeaways 0:00 — Why leadership and creativity still define the best dealerships. 0:50 — $6k Nissans pushed through a 1,200-mile off-road challenge. 1:51 — Moab, Little Sahara, Cathedral Valley, UTV parks, Telluride — some of the harshest environments in America. 2:44 — 150 Hours of cinematic footage to tell a story OEMs can’t. 3:57 — The journey starts at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where Tim’s grandfather once raced 4:38 — Nissan’s CVT has taken heat, but the team intentionally tried to break it… and couldn’t. 7:14 — A local Utah man keeps his shop open until 11 PM to rescue the crew. 8:01 — A badly timed jump at Swing Arm City launches Tim’s roof rack into the air. 9:12 — Most people can’t afford a $70k Bronco or Rubicon but a $10k adventure car? That’s relatable and inspiring. 10:46 — How storytelling and authenticity outperform today’s noisy, overly polished ads. 12:12 — The Tour Detour clips now help humanize the dealership and show real-world use cases customers trust. 15:45 — After surviving impossible terrain, Tim can hardly part with his Nissan. 17:50 — A Challenge to Dealerships Everywhere: Every store can tell authentic stories that make cars fun again. Connect with Tim Pohanka on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eBNQhnin Watch the Tour Detour: https://thetourdetour.com/ Connect with Tim Cox on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/e_W5WBgu Listen to more episodes of Tim Talks at: https://lnkd.in/eFR3KGSe

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