We witnessed some truly unexpected surges in vehicle sales across various segments, painting a vibrant picture of consumer demand. Simultaneously, the global trade landscape continued its dynamic evolution, introducing both opportunities and complexities for dealerships and manufacturers alike.

In this months edition of The Dealer's Edge, we're committed to dissecting these pivotal shifts with you. We'll delve into the specific factors that fuelled those surprising sales increases, analyzing consumer behaviour and market trends to provide you with actionable insights.

So, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, find a comfortable spot, and let's delve into the details together, ensuring you stay ahead in this ever-evolving automotive landscape.

📌 TL;DR – What You Need to Know

🚗 Canadian new-vehicle sales jumped 10% YoY in April as buyers rushed to beat U.S. tariff-related price hikes.

⚠️ New tariffs between Canada and the U.S. are creating uncertainty and could slash Canadian auto sales by 25% this year.

📉 Used vehicle prices in Canada dipped 0.15% in early May, signaling slight softening in the wholesale market.

🇺🇸 U.S. new-vehicle sales remain strong, but inventory is tightening—expect price pressures.

📅 Canada’s Used Car Week returns June 17–18 in Toronto—don’t miss the industry insights.

🎯 Free dealership tools built to power smarter automotive decisions

⚠️ Trade Tensions: Tariffs Impacting the Auto Industry

The U.S. implemented a 25% tariff on Canadian automobiles on April 3, 2025, affecting over 500,000 Canadian auto industry workers. In response, Canada announced counter-tariffs on certain U.S.-made vehicles, effective April 9, 2025. 

The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) warns that these trade measures could slash new-vehicle sales by about 25% this year, urging for expanded access to foreign markets to mitigate the impact. 

🇺🇸 U.S. Market Highlights

Strong New-Vehicle Sales Amid Inventory Challenges

April 2025 saw U.S. new light-vehicle sales reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17.3 million units, marking the second consecutive month at this level. This surge is attributed to consumers accelerating purchases ahead of anticipated price increases. However, the rapid sales pace has led to declining inventory levels, potentially pushing prices higher in the coming months. 

Nissan's Dealership Program Overhaul

Nissan is set to launch the "Nissan One" initiative on June 3, 2025, replacing three legacy programs. This move aims to streamline operations and enhance dealer profitability. Dealers are encouraged to complete crucial vehicle checks before the changes take effect. 

🧠 Tips of the Month

Use AI to Boost Your SEO
Search engines love fresh, relevant content. Use AI-driven tools to generate localized blog posts, landing pages, and inventory descriptions that improve your organic visibility and drive high-intent traffic.

Automate for Speed and Scale
Leverage tools that automate lead follow-ups, appointment scheduling, and inventory matching. The right sales automation tech not only saves time but also ensures hot leads don’t go cold—freeing up your team to focus on closing.

Invest in Your Prime Finance Team’s Subprime Skills
Don’t let declined apps go cold. With AVA™ MatchBook, even your prime finance reps can match tough deals to qualified vehicles in seconds—unlocking more approvals and more deals closed.

🛠️ New Free Tools for Dealers

Free Tools Built to Power Smarter Automotive Decisions

Make every lead, deal, and dollar count with quick calculators designed to simplify the math behind your margins, inventory, commissions, and more.

Upcoming Events

📣 Canada’s Used Car Week Returns This June

Get ready—Canada’s Used Car Week is coming back on June 17-18th at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. With industry leaders, workshops, and trend-focused panels, this event is a must for dealerships aiming to sharpen their used car strategy and stay current on digital tools, wholesale insights, and inventory trends.

📣 AutoTech 2025 Drives Innovation in Michigan

 AutoTech 2025 rolls into Novi, Michigan from June 3–5, bringing together over 3,000 automotive professionals at the forefront of tech and mobility. From AI and software-defined vehicles to in-car UX and cybersecurity, this event is packed with keynotes, panels, and networking for forward-thinking dealers and OEMs. Don’t miss the Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX Awards and three days of insight into the future of auto retail.

🏁 Final Lap: Your March Wrap-Up

Thanks for cruising through this month’s newsletter! If you’ve got questions, feedback, or just want to share your favourite meme, just hit the button below—we’d love to hear from you.

Until next time,

The Dealers Edge and Autocorp.ai Team

P.S. Share this with your team—insights are better when shared! 🚗✨