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- Inventory Up, Traffic Down & How Dealers Win Online in Q4
Inventory Up, Traffic Down & How Dealers Win Online in Q4
The Dealer's Edge is the unfair advantage newsletter of high performing dealerships - consumed in 15 minutes, delivered monthly and powered by Autocorp.ai
Here’s a fun fact to start your week - Google processes over 99,000 searches every second, and nearly 70% of car buyers start their journey online before ever stepping foot in a dealership. That’s a lot of digital tire-kicking.
So as we cruise into Q4 2025, visibility isn’t optional — it’s survival. From rising inventories to Stellantis’ $13 billion move and Ford’s EV overhaul, this quarter’s race isn’t just about selling cars… it’s about being found first. Let’s pop the hood on what’s driving the digital side of auto retail this month.
🗞 TL;DR – What You Need to Know For October
Used Car Inventories Up: 2.26M vehicles in stock (+3% MoM, +10% YoY). Retail sales dropped 5.2% in September - demand softening.
Stellantis Shifts Production: $13B U.S. investment announced; Jeep Compass moving from Brampton 🇨🇦 to Illinois 🇺🇸. Expect ripple effects on Canadian supply and pricing.
Used Car Prices Down Slightly: Canadian Black Book reports –0.30% in wholesale prices for mid-October; signals a cooling market.
Ford’s EV Transformation: $2.3B investment converting Oakville plant for next-gen F-Series Super Duty EVs by May 2026. Dealers should prep for an EV-heavy future.
📉 Used Car Inventories Build as Demand Grows Softer


According to Cox Automotive, used vehicle inventories increased to 2.26 million units at the beginning of October, marking a 3% rise from early September and a 10% increase year-over-year. This uptick in inventory coincides with a 5.2% decline in used vehicle retail sales in September, indicating a softening in consumer demand.
🚨Stellantis’ $13B US Investment & Canadian Production Shift
Stellantis recently announced a massive $13 billion investment to expand U.S. manufacturing over the next four years, including production of five new vehicles and the creation of over 5,000 jobs in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. AP News
At the same time, the company is reallocating production of the Jeep Compass from Brampton, Ontario, to Illinois, triggering backlash from Canadian leaders, who are pressuring Stellantis to honour commitments and support local workers. Reuters+2AP News+2
For dealers in Canada and the U.S., this shift underscores how trade policies and supply chain decisions can ripple through inventory, pricing, and market competitiveness.
📉 Used Car Prices Show Slight Decline
According to Canadian Black Book, the Canadian used wholesale market experienced a slight decline of -0.30% in pricing for the week ending on October 11, 2025. This marks a slightly sharper pace of decline compared to the previous week's -0.15%. Canadian Auto Dealer
Implications for Dealerships:
Inventory Valuation: Dealers should be cautious when appraising trade-ins to ensure competitive pricing.
Sales Strategy: Adjust marketing and sales strategies to reflect current market conditions and maintain profitability.
🛠️ Ford's $2.3B EV Facility Under Construction in Oakville
Ford is investing $2.3 billion to transform its Oakville Assembly Plant into a hub for electric vehicle (EV) production. The facility is set to produce the next-generation F-Series Super Duty trucks, with completion expected by May 2026. This move aligns with Ford's strategy to expand its EV lineup and meet growing consumer demand for electric vehicles.
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Free Webinar - Learn How to Adapt Your Dealership SEO Strategy for AI
Gear up for an insightful session between Alex Vorobiev of Autocorp.ai and Ali Abbas of SEO Button as they discuss "Navigating the AI Road Ahead: Future-Proofing SEO for Automotive Dealerships." Join us for a dynamic hour on November 5, 2025, where we'll dive into the evolving world of SEO strategies tailored for the automotive industry. Discover the latest trends, strategies, and tools that will drive your dealership forward in an ever-changing digital landscape. Whether you're optimizing for local searches or aiming to enhance your online visibility, this event promises practical insights to keep you ahead of the curve.

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🔐 Strengthening Digital Trust: Autocorp.ai Joins DIACC
Autocorp.ai is proud to join the Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC), advancing secure, privacy-first digital identity solutions for automotive retail.
Through this partnership, AVA™ ID leverages AI, biometrics, and OCR to verify identities in seconds, reduce fraud, and ensure compliance with KYC and AML standards. With identity fraud rising across the automotive sector, joining DIACC allows us to help shape national standards that protect businesses and consumers while driving efficiency and trust in digital transactions.
🏁 Final Lap: October Wrap-Up
Focus on SEO, keep your content fresh, and adapt to AI-driven search to dominate the digital landscape. Q4 visibility can make all the difference.
Got a deal, a risk, or a win you want shared? Hit reply, we love bringing real stories from the lot into the Dealer’s Edge.
Until next time,
The Dealers Edge and Autocorp.ai Team
P.S. Share this with your team—insights are better when shared! 🚗✨

