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  • ☀️ Summer’s here... and so is the heat in the market.

☀️ Summer’s here... and so is the heat in the market.

The Dealer's Edge is the unfair advantage newsletter of high performing dealerships - consumed in 15 minutes, delivered monthly and powered by Autocorp.ai

August 19, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

We’re mid-way through the year, the BBQs are hot, and so is the competition. Whether you’re in Toronto, Texas, or anywhere in between, dealers are feeling the push and pull of steady demand, tighter margins, and a rising need for fraud prevention that actually works.

Let’s talk about what’s moving the needle across North America this month - and how you can stay a step ahead.

🗞 TL;DR – What You Need to Know From July

  • 🚗 Steady sales in both Canadian & U.S. used/CPO markets, new vehicle demand is stable but still price-sensitive.

  • 📉 Wholesale prices down another 0.4%, smart dealers are already restocking for fall.

  • 🛡 Fraud in auto retail up 28% YoY - ID verification is moving from “nice-to-have” to “can’t-skip.”

  • 📅 ACE Conference is coming Oct 16–17 in Niagara Falls, yes, we’ll be there! See the agenda here!

🎯 Special offer: AVA™ ID for just $149/month for 6 months (reg. $299). Save $900. Learn more

🚗 Market Watch: Used Cars Are Still King

Across North America, used and certified pre-owned units are leading the way this summer. Margins are tight thanks to reconditioning costs and competitive pricing, but the dealers winning right now are those:

  • Using data-driven trade-in valuations to get fresh, desirable inventory

  • Refreshing aging stock while wholesale prices are soft

  • Doubling down on digital retailing to keep online leads engaged before they walk into another showroom

Pro tip: Check Canadian Black Book or Manheim Market Report weekly so you’re always buying with the latest wholesale intel.

📉 Wholesale Market: More Wiggle Room for Buyers

Another 0.5% dip in wholesale prices this month means there’s breathing room if you’ve been holding off on buying. Retail prices haven’t caught up yet, giving you a short-term margin advantage if you act quickly.

🇺🇸 U.S. Market: Interest Rates Pinch, Used Market Holds

With U.S. interest rates staying high, some dealers are leaning harder into value-driven CPO programs and digital sales funnels. Inventory is flowing, but consumers are choosier, meaning trade-in offers and transparent pricing are winning more deals.

🇨🇦 Canadian Market: Compliance & Margins in the Spotlight

Canadian dealers are facing the same margin squeeze as the U.S., but with an added layer, FINTRAC compliance and ID verification are now a hot topic. The dealers getting ahead are building fraud prevention directly into their sales process, not tacking it on at the end.

 🌟 Tips of the Month – July 2025

1. Tighten Your Fraud Prevention Protocols
Audit your ID process now, look for gaps where fraud could slip in.

2. Buy Before the Fall Rush
Wholesale pricing is down, but it won’t stay there. Restock strategically.

3. Pre-Qualify Leads Early
Using pre-qualification tools on your website keeps your sales team focused on buyers who are ready now.

🎁 Free Resource Of The Month

New eBook –  10 Mistakes That Quietly Kill Dealership Profit

 Profit loss isn’t loud, it’s in the small cracks you don’t see.

📘 What you’ll learn:

  • The follow-up mistake costing you leads in minutes

  • Why over-relying on auctions erodes margins

  • The F&I opportunity you’re missing 1 in 4 times

😁 Goodies From The Autocorp.ai Team

🛡 Fraud Spotlight: Why AVA™ ID Matters More Than Ever

Fraudulent IDs are getting harder to spot and more expensive to miss. Manual checks can’t keep up, especially with cross-border purchases and digital sales.

That’s where AVA™ ID comes in:

  • Instant, accurate ID verification online or in-store
    Helps you stay FINTRAC compliant in Canada and meet U.S. KYC standards

  • Stops bad deals before they happen

💡 Special July Offer: Get AVA™ ID for just $149/month for your first 6 months (regular $299) and save $900, while protecting your store, your team, and your customers. Claim your offer here.

📅 ACE Conference 2025 – Niagara Falls, Oct 16–17

The countdown is on. We’ll be there sharing the latest on fraud prevention, lead conversion, and compliance strategies.

🏁 Final Lap: Your Early Summer Wrap-Up

Thanks for riding along with us this month! Questions, feedback, or just want to share your dealership wins? Hit reply, we’re all ears!

Until next time,

The Dealers Edge and Autocorp.ai Team

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