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- 🌊 Tariff Storms, Sales Surges, and Honda’s Massive Investment Play
🌊 Tariff Storms, Sales Surges, and Honda’s Massive Investment Play
The Dealer's Edge is the unfair advantage newsletter of high performing dealerships - consumed in 15 minutes, delivered monthly and powered by Autocorp.ai
If you're reading this over an afternoon coffee, you're joining us for a wild ride through January's biggest automotive stories. From tariff drama to Honda's billion-dollar bet on Ohio, we've got the scoop on what's moving markets and shaping our industry.
Buckle up – let's dive in!
North American Auto Trade Gets Complicated: What You Need to Know
In a major shift for the automotive industry, the U.S. has implemented 25% tariffs on vehicles and parts from Canada and Mexico, creating ripples throughout North American auto trade. For dealers, this means a $25,000 vehicle imported from Mexico now carries an additional $6,450 in costs – a change that's fundamentally altering inventory and pricing strategies.
Key Points:
Canada has retaliated with its own 25% tariff, particularly targeting EVs
Mexico is expected to follow with similar measures
Dealers are shifting focus to domestic models and used inventory
Extended buying cycles and increased leasing demand emerging
For dealerships, the key to navigating these changes lies in strategic inventory management and transparent customer communication.
January Buyers Break RecordsGood news from the showroom floor – CDK's latest research shows their Ease of Purchase score hit an unprecedented 92% in January. The data tells an interesting story:
| Honda Bets Big on OhioHonda's making waves with a $1B investment in their Ohio facilities, installing six massive giga-presses and launching a flexible "cell" manufacturing system. The Marysville plant will soon produce EVs, hybrids, and gas models on the same line, starting with the Acura RSX EV. |
🚀 Sales Hack: Engage Consumers and Drive Results in 2025
Focus on domestic inventory alternatives
Build transparent pricing strategies
Leverage used inventory opportunities
Create clear customer communication about price changes
📢 🛠️ Marketing Hack: Build Loyalty and Reach New Customers in 2025
With 85% of car buyers starting their journey online, ensure your digital presence is optimized for today's shopper:
Update inventory in real-time
Showcase clear pricing and fees
Highlight domestic model advantages
Maintain active social media engagement
Did You Know?
There are over 5,000 DeLoreans still on the road today, proving that Back to the Future fans are seriously dedicated.
Meme of the Month:
When a customer says ‘it just needs a little work’ but the engine sounds like a rock tumbler full of marbles.
Dealer Conversations - How Car City Canada is Combatting Automotive Fraud
From our blog
Social Media Strategies Every Car Dealership Needs to Drive Sales
Social media isn’t just for influencers and food bloggers anymore—it’s where car dealerships shine too. Think about it: browsing Instagram reels or Facebook ads is like strolling through a digital showroom. That’s where your audience already is, scrolling through their feed, dreaming about their next car. The trick? You’ve got to grab their attention and make them stop mid-scroll. Whether it’s showing off your latest deals, sharing customer success stories, or creating fun polls about car features, social media is your chance to connect. Done right, it’s not just about likes—it drives actual sales and builds trust. Isn’t that what every dealership wants?
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 by forwarding this email—insights are better when shared! 🚗✨