NADA Show 2024 recap: EV policy; sales forecasts, affordability and news from make meetings

The 2024 NADA Show wrapped up Sunday with make meetings from Honda, Audi, Alfa Romeo Mazda, Acura and Mitsubishi. Honda dealers are ready for their first EV while Mazda has boosted its U.S. sales goal for the year. Earlier this weekend New NADA Chairman Gary Gilchrist made it clear that taking on upcoming EPA and NHTSA rules will be a key focus are of his tenure and Time announced its Dealer of the Year. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm talked with dealers and said the Biden administration is not "tapping the brakes" on EVs. Dealers at panels and events also discussed vehicle affordability, employee retention, and sales forecasts. Scroll down for all of the news from this year's event. Acura seeking to position itself as the brand of the futureMon, Feb 5, 12:39 amAcura told dealers at its make meeting on Sunday at the NADA Show that it does not plan on speeding into electrification as it readies itself to launch its first electric vehicle, the ZDX, this spring.Full storyMitsubishi plans to reveal new product plans in the springSun, Feb 4, 11:02 pmMitsubishi told dealers it will reveal a five-to-seven-year product plan in the spring.Full storyAudi dealers aim for modest new sales improvement in 2024Sun, Feb 4, 10:20 pmAudi's retail network, fresh off a record amount of new vehicle sold in 2023, could have an even better sales year in 2024, said Audi National Dealer Council Chairman Tom McCollum. McCollum, CEO of Forbes Todd Automotive Group which includes Audi Dallas, said dealers are looking for a modest sales improvement in 2024.Full storyMazda boosts U.S. sales goal for 2024Sun, Feb 4, 10:14 pmMazda told a dealer make meeting Sundayit had set a 2024 sales goal of 450,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2024.Full storyHonda dealers ready for their first EVSun, Feb 4, 10:05 pmHonda highlighted its success and quick recovery in 2023 and discussed its long-awaited next move â€” the Prologue electric crossover â€” with dealers.Full storyAlfa Romeo looks to build momentumSun, Feb 4, 10:04 pmAlfa Romeo Tonale sales reached 2,096 last year in its short time on the market.Full storyVolvo sees a big 2024 in the U.S. as more electric models launchSun, Feb 4, 2:32 pmVolvo Cars is "poised for growth" this year, the brand's U.S. chief Michael Cottone told retailers Saturday. "We just came off of an incredible 2023," Cottone told Automotive News after the meeting. "When you add in new, used and certified pre-owned....we've never sold more cars through our dealerships."Full storyHyundai touts early success with Amazon retailing pilot programSun, Feb 4, 1:28 pmHyundai Motor North America has taken important first steps in its partnership with Amazon, the company told dealers Saturday. The automaker and the online retail giant are developing a way to enable Hyundai dealers to sell vehicles to consumers via the popular shopping platform.Full storyElectric vehicle charging top of mind for BMW dealersSun, Feb 4, 1:26 pmRetailers asked questions about the outlook for EV infrastructure, including plans from BMW and other providers such as Electrify America, Shaun Bugbee, BMW of North America executive vice president of operations, told Automotive News after the meeting.Full storySubaru looks to grow '24 sales to 680,000 with more inventory, EVsSun, Feb 4, 1:18 pmSubaru laid out its plan to grow its U.S. sales to 680,000 vehicles in 2024 to dealers at the brand's make meeting at the NADA Show. The key will be greatly reducing production interruptions to allow dealers to sell new vehicles from their inventories again. Last year, Subaru reported U.S. sales of 632,086 vehicles, up 14 percent from 2022.Full storyCadillac to focus on elevating luxury experienceSun, Feb 4, 2:09 amThe brand will work on a training component this year to ensure a high-end customer experience is delivered consistently across Cadillac showrooms.Full storyInfiniti aims for 10 percent hike in retail sales in 2024Sun, Feb 4, 2:01 amThis summer, Infiniti will launch a redesigned QX80 SUV that retailers say is a major step up in features, luxury and sticker price.Full storyChevy sees 2024 EV launches as â€˜unique opportunity' for conquestsSun, Feb 4, 12:56 amBrand leaders said Chevy has an opportunity to conquest customers as it prepares to launch EVs in some of the biggest crossover and pickup segments this year.Full storyVW dealers expect big U.S. sales growth in 2024Sun, Feb 4, 12:49 amVolkswagen's U.S. dealers are expected to finally start receiving shipments of the ID Buzz electric minivan in late 2024.Full storyKia tells dealers its strategy is for both electrification and combustionSun, Feb 4, 12:49 amKia America told dealers its strategy is to continue development of internal combustion vehicles and bring new electrified models to market.Full storyMini gears up dealers for big year of launchesSun, Feb 4, 12:28 amThe message for Mini's U.S. dealers during Saturday's franchise meeting was simple: Game on.Full storyIneos Grenadier SUV sales get off the ground in the U.S.Sun, Feb 4, 12:27 amStartup vehicle manufacturer Ineos Automotive has delivered more than 1,000 Grenadier SUVs to customers in North America and is anticipating bigger volumes as it ramps up sales.Full storyEV sales could benefit from lower prices and easier used valuationSat, Feb 3, 11:35 pmFor cost-concerned consumers interested in an electric vehicle, buying used is a way to sidestep their premium prices. But dealers say they are having trouble answering all the EV-related questions those buyers pose.Full storyBlack dealers talk EVs, industry challenges on NADA panelSat, Feb 3, 11:13 pmA NADA Show panel discussion with two Black dealers highlighted some of the obstacles they have overcome and foresee in the future.Full storyMany in auto retail hesitant to adopt digital processing toolsSat, Feb 3, 11:11 pmManaging auto deals by hand causes more errors, but many in automotive finance are still hesitant to adopt digital tools, experts say.Full storyDanica Patrick says staying passionate keeps her in the raceSat, Feb 3, 11:08 pmDanica Patrick, IndyCar champion, entrepreneur, author and podcast host, said to dealers during a fireside chat Saturday at the NADA Show Main Stage session to stay passionate about their business and themselves and continue to chase the dream â€” whatever it might be.Full storyMini gears up dealers for big year of launchesSat, Feb 3, 10:05 pmAfter contending with an older vehicle portfolio and inventory shortages, Mini officials say the brand is building momentum with new models on the horizon.Full storyGen Z has purchasing powerSat, Feb 3, 9:54 pmTracy Fred, senior vice president of dealer solutions at Cox Automotive, presented insight on Generation Zâ€™s emerging vehicle buying habits to Saturday attendees of the NADA Showâ€™s Dealer Learning Lab. Members of Gen Z â€“ which she defined as individuals between the ages of 12 and 25 â€“ have purchasing ability that is not to be ignored, she said.CDK CEO shifts focus to growthSat, Feb 3, 9:28 pm""Many of them are young working professionals who are actually first-time car buyers, and they have tremendous buying power,â€ Fred told Automotive News.Full storyRita Case named Time Dealer of the YearSat, Feb 3, 8:16 pmGen Z makes up 18 percent of the U.S. population, and their purchasing power is $473 billion, Fred said.Full storyNADA's new chairman vows to take on EPA, NHTSA plansSat, Feb 3, 8:15 pm""More than 80 percent of them are looking for new and used options,"" she said.Full storyGM's Rory Harvey: EV shift requires consistency, adaptationSat, Feb 3, 7:56 pm-C.J. MooreFull story2024 NADA Show: The sights on the floorSat, Feb 3, 4:46 pmThe NADA Show in Las Vegas was is about auto retail, mixed with a bit of spectacle and even a few airplanes. Here are a few of the sights.Full storyNew Stellantis N.A. chief seeks more dealer dialogueSat, Feb 3, 3:46 pmStellantis North America COO Carlos Zarlenga said he wants to listen to dealers and open a dialogue that can help the company grow in North America.Full storyMercedes-Benz dealers expect sales comeback in 2024Sat, Feb 3, 1:01 pmMercedes-Benz told dealers Friday that a variety of fresh products will be arriving in 2024, ranging from the redesigned E-class sedan to the electric G-Class SUV, as the automaker sets the stage for a sales rebound. The models are at the core of the luxury brand's growth strategy for 2024, Senol Bayrak, Mercedes' vice president of sales and product, told Automotive News after the automaker's dealer make meeting Friday.Full storyAutomotive retailers don't need to panic about industry woes, study saysSat, Feb 3, 1:00 pmAutomotive retail faces a slew of existential threats, from electric vehicle worries to an uncertain economy and more. But there's no need to panic, according to the results of a study released Thursday during the NADA Show in Las Vegas.Full storyToyota dealers ask about leasing support, EVs, rival's Amazon dealSat, Feb 3, 12:47 pmToyota and Lexus dealers questioned plans to regrow leasing, expressed concerns about battery-electric vehicles and asked about Hyundai's new association with retail behemoth Amazon, according to dealers and executives in the joint make meeting Friday.Full storyNissan's moonshot: 6.1 percent U.S. retail share in fiscal 2024Sat, Feb 3, 12:46 pmThe sales momentum would ride on the backs of the brand's most affordable models â€” the Sentra, Versa, and Kicks.Full storyHenrik Fisker offers dealers a shot at fighting TeslaSat, Feb 3, 2:10 amElectric vehicle startup Fisker Inc. is offering U.S. dealers a true Tesla competitor with its Ocean crossover and future products that include a midsize pickup, CEO Henrik Fisker said at the NADA Show.Full storyFord promises EV adjustments, more dealer engagementSat, Feb 3, 2:03 amFord Motor Co. executives on Friday acknowledged that the automaker has caused "pain points" for dealers and promised to adapt its transition to electric vehicles in response to their concerns.Full storyNew Stellantis N.A. chief seeks more dealer dialogueSat, Feb 3, 2:02 amStellantis North America COO Carlos Zarlenga, who previously was president of Stellantis Mexico, says he wants to listen to dealers and open a dialogue that can help the company grow in North American.Full storyTensions between dealers and automakers still stewing in some statesSat, Feb 3, 12:56 amDespite some legislative wins and compromises, state dealer association executives still have serious concerns about evolving sales models and lingering tensions between retailers and automakers. Dealers and their state associations have been working to strengthen protections in franchise laws, addressing emerging issues such as automakers' ability to sell directly to consumers and requirements for dealers to meet costly sales standards for electric vehicles.Full storyEnergy Secretary Granholm: Biden administration not â€˜tapping brakes' on EVsFri, Feb 2, 10:19 pmDespite simmering dealer and consumer concerns over electric vehicle affordability and access to charging infrastructure, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the Biden administration should not be "tapping the brakes" on EVs. "This is a question of personal choice. No, we're not jamming EVs down anybody," Granholm said Friday during a discussion with dealers at the NADA Show.Full storyJon Taffer of â€˜Bar Rescue' to dealers: You sell reactions, not carsFri, Feb 2, 10:01 pmJon Taffer, executive producer of Paramount Network's "Bar Rescue," fervently pressed a packed house of dealers ahead of the official opening of the NADA Show on Friday to consider a different way of looking at their business.Full storyNADA's outgoing chairman takes issue with federal regulations, potential impact of Chinese EV brandsFri, Feb 2, 9:57 pmDealer Geoffrey Pohanka, outgoing chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, voiced his frustration with the U.S. government moving too fast to push electric vehicles and urged caution around the potential new competition from Chinese EV manufacturers.Full storyEarly look at the Toyota Land CruiserFri, Feb 2, 8:52 pmToyota has the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser at its West Hall booth, where show-goers have been busy with in-person inspections.Car brand loyalty may hinge on offering more affordable choicesFri, Feb 2, 8:44 pmReintroduced in August after a two-year hiatus, the venerated off-roader wont be on dealer lots till later this spring.Full storyJ.D. Power panel: Expect private dealership groups to growFri, Feb 2, 8:43 pmThe 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller, more nimble and equipped with a hybridized turbocharged powertrain, a host of infotainment and driver assistance features and a boxy look that evokes its early heritage.Imported from Japan and based on the Land Cruiser Prado that Toyota sells in Japan and other global markets â€” badged in the U.S. as the Lexus GX â€” the U.S. version of the Land Cruiser will start in the mid-$50,000 range, Toyota said. In comparison, when Toyota suspended U.S. sales of Land Cruiser in 2021 after a 63-year run, the low-volume off-roader started at $86,880, including shipping.-Larry P. VellequetteFull storyJim Farley: dealers give â€˜meaningâ€™ to high-pressure workFri, Feb 2, 7:33 pmFord Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley briefly addressed a small group of retailers Thursday evening as part of the automakerâ€™s annual Salute to Dealers celebration with a candid message about how he views the industry â€“ and their role as partners.â€œTransforming Ford is not an easy thing,â€ Farley said at the conclusion of a reception honoring six dealers for community service efforts. â€œWe got out of India, got out of manufacturing in Brazil; a lot of families were affected over the restructuring the last several years. To lead Ford, thereâ€™s a lot of pressure, like your businesses.â€Farley said he recently asked his leadership team â€œWhy is it worth it? Why are you here?â€ and that many had the same response.â€œA surprising number of them said â€˜Iâ€™m here because our work together with our dealers affects millions of people in a positive way.â€™ â€¦ Thank you for giving meaning to our work.â€- Michael MartinezEV sales focus of new NADA program for dealership sales staffFri, Feb 2, 6:11 pmNADA unveiled a training program to help dealership staff sell electric vehicles and educate consumers on the technology.Full storyPenske president Robert Kurnick: 'Affordability is a big concern of ours'Fri, Feb 2, 6:10 pmInventory has ceased to be a problem for Penske Automotive Group, but vehicle affordability poses a challenge to the retailer and the industry, Penske President Robert Kurnick Jr. told the American Financial Services Association Vehicle Finance Conference & Expo.Full storyNADA economist predicts 15.9 million new light-vehicle sales in 2024Fri, Feb 2, 6:09 pmNew light-vehicle sales in the U.S. could reach 15.9 million in 2024, a nearly 3 percent increase over last year, the National Automobile Dealers Association's top economist predicts.Full storyToyota's Dave Christ: Time to â€˜rev up' sales machineFri, Feb 2, 2:23 pmToyota Motor North America executives are convinced the U.S. auto market can get back to perhaps 16 million sales in 2024, and that its share of that expanded market could add as many as 150,000 vehicles to its nearly 2.25 million total volume from 2023.Full storyDealers prep for what could be a â€˜banner year' for buy-sellsFri, Feb 2, 2:20 amExecutives from three of the largest U.S. auto retailers indicate they are actively looking to acquire dealerships in what could be yet another strong year for mergers and acquisitions.Full storyNissan dealers want volume turned upFri, Feb 2, 1:26 amAt Nissan's make meeting Friday, retailers will want to hear the brand's plan to drive their top and bottom lines.Full storyThe EV transition will require dealer support, experts sayFri, Feb 2, 1:25 amThe transition to electric vehicles, Tesla's alternative sales model, the expansion of charging infrastructure and more are pushing the automotive retail industry to evolve.Full storyToyota's EV strategy guided by dealers and customers, not regulations, says Jack HollisFri, Feb 2, 12:36 amToyota Motor North America sales chief Jack Hollis says emissions regulations aimed at forcing wider EV adoption are far ahead of where consumers are.Full storyDissecting ongoing challenges for dealers in EV adoptionFri, Feb 2, 12:28 amLAS VEGAS -- Early manufacturers of electric vehicles jumped at the chance to sell the new technology. But in hindsight, automakers' pace of switching to fully battery-electric vehicles â€” with encouragement and subsidies from the U.S. government â€” appears to have been more than the general public is ready for, said Ricart Automotive Group President Rick Ricart.Full storyAutomaker to update Nissan@Home shopping platformFri, Feb 2, 12:27 amNissan in March plans to launch an updated version of its Nissan@Home digital shopping platform after working with dealers to improve the remote car buying tool, Judy Wheeler, vice president of Nissan sales and regional operations in the U.S., said at the Automotive News Retail Forum: NADA.Full storyInfiniti chief Craig Keeys says customer experience as important as new productFri, Feb 2, 12:25 amJapanese premium brand Infiniti recently announced a slate of new products to help re-spark sales in the coming years. But new product is only one of the tools that Craig Keeys, Infiniti Americas group vice president, will count on for the company's next growth cycle, he told an audience at the J.D. Power Auto Summit Thursday.Full storyFor dealerships, a â€˜flexible' job can be many things, panelists sayThu, Feb 1, 11:53 pmAs dealers continue to struggle with recruiting and retaining staff, many potential employees demand flexibility.Full storyGM still committed to driverless vehicle technology despite Cruise woes, Reuss saysThu, Feb 1, 11:52 pmGeneral Motors President Mark Reuss said Thursday the company remains committed to autonomous vehicle technology despite the trouble at its Cruise business and that he expects to be back operating on roads in the next few years.Full storyEV sales will keep growing, J.D. Power projects, but issues remainThu, Feb 1, 11:18 pmStewart Stropp of J.D. Power predicts that EV share in the U.S. will continue to grow quickly despite ongoing consumer concerns over price and the reliability and density of public charging infrastructure.Full storyJay Leno â€˜very optimisticâ€™Thu, Feb 1, 11:11 pmJay Leno lightened the mood at the J.D. Power Auto Summit Thursday and covered topics as diverse as Kim Kardashian, Willie Nelson and fluorescent spiders. But when it came to the future of the U.S. auto industry, he turned serious: â€œWe have a self-esteem problem,â€ he said of the industry. â€œWe have the greatest engineers. Iâ€™m very optimistic about the American auto industry.â€-Tom CarlKen Garff Automotive, Swickard Auto, Reynolds and Reynolds execs tout value of retail dataThu, Feb 1, 11:09 pmAuto retail leaders joined Reynolds and Reynolds President Chris Walsh to discuss the importance of using customer data for dealerships.Full storyShelley Zalis: More women in auto retail is â€˜good for business'Thu, Feb 1, 10:02 pmCar dealers looking to boost dealership profits might want to consider more inclusive hiring strategies.Full storyUsed vehicle prices will fall 5.7% in 2024, expert saysThu, Feb 1, 10:00 pmUsed-vehicle prices will continue falling this year, but affordability remains an issue for many buyers, said Jonathan Banks, vice president of product development and valuation services at J.D. Power.Full storyUpcoming Dodge Charger EV is 'next generation of muscle,' exec saysThu, Feb 1, 9:50 pmDodge is about a month away from entering the electric era. On March 5 the plans to reveal the production version of the Charger Daytona SRT Concept it unveiled in 2022. The vehicle represents the future of the brand, Matt McAlear, senior vice president of Dodge/SRT sales and marketing, said at the J.D. Power Auto Summit in Las Vegas.Full storyExpect mixed bag of auto retail industry conditions in 2024, analyst saysThu, Feb 1, 8:22 pmThe big picture: 2024 will be a year of mixed conditions such as near-record low unemployment and wage growth but weaker consumer credit and some volatility in the used-vehicle market.Full storyJ.D. Power: New-car, F&I profits will drop 35% in 2024, and that's OKThu, Feb 1, 7:35 pmAutomotive retailer gross new-vehicle and F&I profits are projected to shrink by 35 percent in 2024 to $26 billion in part because of growing inventories and incentives that are inequitably distributed, according to J.D. Power.Full storyFormer NADA chair Paul Walser urges young dealership leaders to â€˜be patient'Thu, Feb 1, 7:34 pmFormer National Automobile Dealers Association Chairman Paul Walser encourages 40 Under 40 winners and alumni to â€˜be patient' when waiting for promotions.Full storyAfter signing Mills group as 1st U.S. dealer, Fisker heads to NADA Show to recruit moreThu, Feb 1, 12:18 pmIn Fisker's pivot to franchised dealers from direct sales, the EV startup is pursuing dealers, first at an open house and then at the NADA Show.Full storyGoing to the NADA Show? Here's your guideThu, Feb 1, 12:15 pmCheck out our Go Guide on where to go and what to do in Las Vegas during NADA 2024.Full story8 cool things at the 2024 NADA Show in VegasThu, Feb 1, 12:13 pmMore than 500 vendors will promote their offerings and innovations in 700,000 square feet of exhibition space at the 2024 NADA Show in Las Vegas. Here are eight standoutsFull storyAuto finance experts say affordability is still a concernThu, Feb 1, 12:11 pmVehicle affordability remains a key concern despite slowing economic challenges, experts said at an industry pulse panel at the 2024 American Financial Services Association conference Tuesday.Full storyFord EV dealer certification begins with delaysThu, Feb 1, 12:10 pmFord Motor Co.'s electric vehicle certification program for dealers is likely to again dominate conversations at the NADA Show, so much so that the automaker added a separate franchise meeting to address smaller retailers.Full storyGM investments have eased vehicle delivery problems, dealers sayThu, Feb 1, 12:08 pmGeneral Motors dealers say they're having an easier time getting vehicles to their lots from the factory.Full storyStellantis dealers prepare for EV rush in 2024Thu, Feb 1, 12:05 pmWith Stellantis EVs arriving this year, dealerships have to meet training requirements for sales associates, technicians, service advisers and management.Full storyLive talk Friday at 2 p.m. EST: What's on car dealers' minds at the NADA ShowThu, Feb 1, 12:03 pmJoin Automotive News at 2 p.m. EST Friday for a live chat from the NADA Show floor as we discuss the key issues facing dealerships in 2024.Full storyCDK Global bets dealers will embrace new virtual assistant toolThu, Feb 1, 12:01 pmThe Artificial Intelligence Virtual Assistant, or AIVA, is making its official debut at the 2024 NADA Show.Full storyDMS players plan big splash at 2024 NADA ShowThu, Feb 1, 12:00 pmThe dealership management system and software developers view NADA as a crucial time of year to reach existing clients and attract new ones.Full story

NADA Show 2024 recap: EV policy; sales forecasts, affordability and news from make meetings

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