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les, fixed ops, parts, management, leasing and finance. CBT News was created to deliver daily content that dealers can count on for help in running their dealerships better. If you are looking for a community where you can learn the latest auto news and get ahead in the car business, subscribe today.

01/08/2026

Riding the Vegas Loop! 🚗⚡️
Elon Musk & Tesla are turning underground travel into the future—fast, electric, and zero traffic.

Ford Targets 2028 for Level 3 Self-Driving Technology on Highway RoutesFord announced plans to introduce Level 3 driver-...
01/08/2026

Ford Targets 2028 for Level 3 Self-Driving Technology on Highway Routes

Ford announced plans to introduce Level 3 driver-assistance technology in 2028, enabling hands-free and eyes-off driving on select highways. The system will debut on Ford's next-generation EV platform, first appearing on a midsize electric pickup truck launching in 2027 with a $30,000 starting price.

The Level 3 feature will be an optional add-on, with Ford still deciding between one-time purchase or subscription pricing. Unlike Tesla's camera-based approach, Ford will use lidar technology and develop much of the system in-house to reduce costs and improve update speeds.

Ford joins competitors like Mercedes-Benz and GM in pursuing highway-focused autonomous driving capabilities, while Stellantis has paused its Level 3 program due to cost concerns and uncertain consumer demand.

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Tesla CEO Musk shrugs off Nvidia’s autonomous push unveiled at CESTesla CEO Elon Musk dismissed Nvidia's newly announced...
01/08/2026

Tesla CEO Musk shrugs off Nvidia’s autonomous push unveiled at CES

Tesla CEO Elon Musk dismissed Nvidia's newly announced Alphamayo autonomous driving AI models as meaningful competition, claiming they won't threaten Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology for at least five to six years.

Nvidia unveiled Alphamayo at CES, a vision-language-action model designed to handle complex driving scenarios with "humanlike thinking." The company positions itself as a technology supplier to automakers rather than a vehicle manufacturer.

Musk argued that legacy automakers will need additional years to integrate the necessary cameras and AI hardware at scale, further delaying any competitive pressure on Tesla's vertically integrated approach.

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Lithia Motors Settles Alaska Pricing Deception Case for $300,000Lithia Motors agreed to pay $300,000 in penalties and pr...
01/08/2026

Lithia Motors Settles Alaska Pricing Deception Case for $300,000

Lithia Motors agreed to pay $300,000 in penalties and provide consumer restitution following allegations that five Alaska dealerships misled buyers about vehicle pricing by charging undisclosed dealer fees.

The Alaska Attorney General's investigation found dealerships charged document fees not included in advertised prices, violating state law requiring all mandatory fees be disclosed upfront. Hundreds of consumers may have paid more than advertised.

Under the settlement, Lithia must identify and reimburse affected customers from sales dating back to January 2019, complete regular advertising audits, and finish the restitution process within 270 days of court approval.

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CarMax Cuts Prices and Boosts Marketing to Reverse Sales DeclineCarMax is implementing targeted price cuts and increased...
01/08/2026

CarMax Cuts Prices and Boosts Marketing to Reverse Sales Decline

CarMax is implementing targeted price cuts and increased marketing spending to combat declining used-vehicle sales heading into 2026. The retailer reported Q3 net sales of $5.8 billion, down 6.9% year-over-year, with net earnings falling 50.4% to $62.2 million.

Used-vehicle unit sales dropped 8% to 169,557 vehicles, prompting leadership changes and strategic pivots. Former CEO Bill Nash stepped down in November, with David McCreight taking over as interim president and CEO, while Tom Folliard returned as interim executive chair.

The company plans variable price reductions across inventory rather than uniform cuts, supported by enhanced marketing investment. CarMax aims to reduce SG&A expenses by $150 million annually while restoring its position as a preferred used-vehicle destination.

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Sony Honda Mobility Debuts New EV Prototype Despite Industry SlowdownSony Honda Mobility unveiled its latest electric ve...
01/07/2026

Sony Honda Mobility Debuts New EV Prototype Despite Industry Slowdown

Sony Honda Mobility unveiled its latest electric vehicle prototype at CES 2026, positioning itself against the trend of U.S. automakers pausing EV plans amid weakening demand. The joint venture plans to deliver a new production model based on the Afeela prototype to U.S. customers by 2028.

The company's first vehicle, the Afeela 1, is priced at $89,900 and begins California deliveries later this year. The prototype showcases the partnership's strategy of combining Honda's manufacturing expertise with Sony's software and digital capabilities.

The debut comes as policy shifts, including the elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit under the Trump administration, have further dampened consumer interest in electric vehicles across the industry.

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01/07/2026

We had a blast with BMW showcasing their all-new iX3 at CES in Las Vegas 🔥

Ford Posts 6% Sales Growth Despite EV Struggles and Production ChallengesFord reported strong 2025 performance with U.S....
01/07/2026

Ford Posts 6% Sales Growth Despite EV Struggles and Production Challenges

Ford reported strong 2025 performance with U.S. vehicle sales rising 6% to 2.2 million units, the highest total since 2019. The automaker secured third place in the U.S. market behind Toyota and GM, with results meeting analyst expectations.

The company's flagship F-Series trucks drove growth with 8.3% annual sales increase, despite production disruptions from supplier fires. However, EV sales dropped 14.1% for the year, falling 52% in Q4 alone due to pricing pressure and shifting consumer demand.

Ford offset EV weakness with 22% growth in hybrid sales, reflecting consumer preference for fuel efficiency without full electric transition. Traditional ICE vehicles still dominated at 86% of total volume, positioning Ford to focus on production stability and core truck lineup in 2026.

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Senate Postpones Historic Auto CEO Hearing After Industry PushbackA Senate Commerce Committee hearing bringing together ...
01/07/2026

Senate Postpones Historic Auto CEO Hearing After Industry Pushback

A Senate Commerce Committee hearing bringing together CEOs from Ford, GM, and Stellantis has been postponed following objections from the Detroit Three automakers over timing and scope.

The January 14 hearing conflicted with the Detroit Auto Show and other major industry events. Ford criticized the timing and questioned why Tesla's CEO wasn't invited, while GM's Mary Barra agreed to attend only if other CEOs participated.

The hearing, titled "Pedal to the Policy," was set to cover vehicle affordability, fuel economy regulations, and the EV transition. If rescheduled with all three CEOs, it would mark their first joint testimony since the 2008 financial crisis.

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Cox Automotive Forecasts 2.4% Decline in U.S. Vehicle Sales for 2026Cox Automotive projects U.S. new-vehicle sales will ...
01/07/2026

Cox Automotive Forecasts 2.4% Decline in U.S. Vehicle Sales for 2026

Cox Automotive projects U.S. new-vehicle sales will drop to 15.8 million units in 2026, down 2.4% from 2025, as market fragmentation constrains growth despite easing interest rates and stronger tax returns providing first-half support.

The outlook reveals a widening consumer divide. Higher-income households will benefit from wealth gains and lower borrowing costs, while lower-income consumers face ongoing affordability pressures from inflation and elevated vehicle prices, accelerating trade-down behavior.

Policy uncertainty around tariffs, USMCA renegotiation, and fading EV incentives will create volatility. Meanwhile, sluggish job growth from productivity-driven expansion will weigh on household confidence despite stock market gains.

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U.S. Auto Sales Rise 2% Despite Industry HeadwindsU.S. new-vehicle sales increased roughly 2% in 2025, reaching about 16...
01/06/2026

U.S. Auto Sales Rise 2% Despite Industry Headwinds

U.S. new-vehicle sales increased roughly 2% in 2025, reaching about 16 million units despite supply chain disruptions, shifting tariffs, and changes to EV incentives.

Toyota and Hyundai led growth with 8% increases each, while GM posted 6% gains driven by pickup and SUV demand. Stellantis saw 3% decline but gained momentum under new leadership.

EV sales dropped significantly to 6.6% market share from 11.2% following elimination of tax credits. Vehicle prices rose modestly to $47,104 average. 2026 outlook remains mixed among analysts.

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Nissan Overhauls Dealer Incentive Program After Profitability ConcernsNissan has revised its controversial U.S. dealer i...
01/06/2026

Nissan Overhauls Dealer Incentive Program After Profitability Concerns

Nissan has revised its controversial U.S. dealer incentive strategy for 2026 following widespread retailer backlash over the Nissan One program launched in June 2025. Dealers criticized the original structure for reducing payouts and forcing reliance on unprofitable discount sales to meet unrealistic targets.

The automaker eliminated the top incentive tier and lowered performance thresholds, with dealers now earning $500-$1,000 per vehicle at 80-100% of monthly targets. Payouts increased up to $400 per vehicle despite reduced maximum bonuses, and calculations shifted from quarterly to monthly.

While Nissan's U.S. market share grew to 4.9% in November, dealership profitability remained near break-even levels, with half of dealers abandoning bonus pursuit by late 2025.

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