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[NEWS] The modern GM job isn’t what it used to be: It’s more complex, more people-driven, and far more strategic. In a recent episode of Daily Dealer Live, Sam D’Arc spoke with Jason Graciano (White Plains Honda), Kevin Wruck (Dahl Hyundai Mazda Subaru), and Uli de’ Martino (former GM) about what it really takes to thrive in the role today. 3 lessons learned: 1. Managing dozens of relationships requires solid organizational structures. “Take a look at your whole employee list and ask yourself if you know something unique about each one of those individuals," Kevin said. 2. Leveraging public accountability to improve performance. Jason posts every salesperson's monthly car count on a team WhatsApp chat. Sales managers see department rankings against other district stores in real time. 3. Diagnosing the problem. Is it people or process? Managers can train, but they can’t coach someone into a role they’re not built for. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by @HaigPartners : carguymedia.com/4olWn6K (Data source: Daily Dealer Live)

GM is quietly pulling off a massive turnaround… Across their top brands, the automaker is posting double digit sales growth. And franchise dealership values? They’re climbing too. Here’s the Q1 sales breakdown: - Chevrolet – up 14% - Buick – up 39% - GMC – best Q1 in brand history (!) - Cadillac – up 21% What’s driving it? They’re building cars people actually want to drive — and pricing them to move. Inventory is already down 8% since the end of 2024. My take: GM’s not just course-correcting — they’re gaining speed. But even more shocking — I saw a Buick Envista on the road and did a double take when I saw the badge. Maybe grandpa was just ahead of the curve? _____ Data via @HaigPartners check out their latest Haig Report for profitability insights for all the major auto manufacturers here: carguymedia.com/4jZvrqB

[NEWS] Dealership buy/sell activity is hitting a 10-year low: Only 68 rooftops changed hands in Q1, down 57% YoY. That’s a sharp reversal for what’s typically a busy market. But oddly enough, Haig Partners says the phones haven’t stopped ringing, they’re just not seeing deals close. So what’s holding things back? Mainly, policy uncertainty around regulation and valuation. Even the big publics are pausing, cutting acquisition spend by 91%. Only a few, like AutoNation and Lithia, stayed active. Big picture: Insiders expect a fast snapback once the policy fog clears, because demand’s there. It’s just waiting for the green light. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by @HaigPartners : carguymedia.com/458uAzS (Data: Q1 2025 Haig Report)

Tariffs are splitting the auto industry like never before. Depending on which dealer you ask, the profitability outlook for 2025 sounds wildly different. Back in February, most dealers were somewhat optimistic: - 58% of dealers expected profits to remain the same or higher for 2025 Then came the tariffs. Now? - 48% of dealers are bracing for a hit to their bottom line (!) But interestingly, a growing camp of dealers sees opportunity ahead. With the tariff details still shifting almost daily, forecasting has turned into a moving target — and it’s getting harder for domestic businesses to plan for what’s next. Which camp are you in? Let me know in the comments. Data via @HaigPartners check out their latest Haig Report for profitability insights for all the major auto manufacturers here: carguymedia.com/4jZvrqB

Buy-Sell Boom or Bust? The Truth About Dealership Mergers in 2025 My conversation with Alan Haig, President of @HaigPartners :

The vibe shift in auto retail over the past month has been wild. Ask a dealer in January about 2025 profitability? They’d tell you they were feeling good — maybe even confident. Ask them again in February? Whole different story. Reality is starting to set in: 2025 might be a grind. How will the vibe change in March? ____ Data via CDG partner: @HaigPartners Check out The Haig Partners 2025 Auto Retail Outlook Webinar for more key insights and predictions: carguymedia.com/3QLzaeP

Most dealers are optimistic about profitability in 2025: A new @HaigPartners poll reveals a theme of confidence: - 44% expect profitability to surpass 2024 - 40% predict it will match 2024 - 16% believe it will decline As far as reinvesting those profits, here are some key areas dealers are focusing on: - deploying technologies like AI and robotics to reduce labor/operational costs - pursuing strategic acquisitions, such as adding new brands or rooftops - establishing internal training programs to build up their current employees and more ____ Click here to download @HaigPartners presentation at AutoTeam America's Buy/Sell Summit at NADA 2025, it covers all of the biggest trends dealers should be looking for in the coming year: carguymedia.com/4hd8I9H (Data via CDG partner: @HaigPartners )

JUST IN: CDK Restores Systems for More Dealerships! CDK is steadily bringing systems back online after last week's cyberattack. They've just restored access for another group of dealerships, including a major public dealer – a big win! This is a positive step forward after a challenging week. I’ll keep you posted with more updates as CDK continues its phased restoration.

Toyota reported this AM it sold 11.1 Million cars in a single year. The *most* of any car brand …ever. Absolutely wild. Source: carguymedia.com/3WajbLl

An under-discussed issue in Automotive: Brand loyalty is declining at an astonishing pace. Think back to 2020-22... Everyone experienced the same thing: Inventory shortages. Higher vehicle prices. Lack of available options. The result? For the first time ever, people were forced to reconsider their brand loyalty. In fact - In 2023 alone, consumers who cross-shopped vehicles on Edmunds looked at 2.8 makes and 4.4 models on average. But it doesn't stop there - In the same year, 6 out of 10 car shoppers purchased a vehicle *different* from their initial online search. Here are my takeaways: • Car manufacturers have never been more prone to disruption by new / up-and-coming entrants. The days of "I'm a life-long ____ driver" are behind us. • Car dealers that embrace technology will thrive in an age where most consumers make their purchasing decisions way before hitting the physical car lot. Visit Edmunds for more info: bit.ly/3wB1vxL (Data via CDG Sponsor @Edmunds #EdmundsPartner)

BREAKING: The highest value paid for a BMW and a Honda store ever! Morgan Auto Group, the 8th largest dealer group in America, is acquiring South/Vista Auto in Florida. South/Vista Auto is one of the *most valuable* dealership groups ever purchased and consists of: • 9 Dealerships • 2 Collision Centers The bottom line? Dealerships are consolidating at the fastest pace ever recorded and showing no sign of slowing down. And for those wondering why consolidation is accelerating... here's my perspective: 1) In the face of growing macroeconomic uncertainty, certain dealers are opting to divest (keyword: certain) 2) The car market increasingly favors larger dealer groups who benefit from economies of scale + operating leverage. 3) Lastly, most dealers just had several crazy profitable years... So in many cases, selling now makes sense for them. Haig Partners served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to South/Vista Motors on this sale. Congrats to Brett Morgan, CEO of Morgan Auto Group, and all parties involved.

Who will suffer the most from extended auto worker strikes? Insightful chart showing inventory availability for each car manufacturer: - GM is under most pressure to 'strike' a deal - Stellantis has the most breathing room. - Ford is... being Ford. (chart from @HaigPartners)