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The latest report from the JD Power Consultancy shows that automakers have managed to retain retail sales in the face of the Trump mis-administration foreign policy, trade, tariff and shooting wars. The JD Power Automotive OEM Intelligence Report* reviews supply chain management and segment mix, careful use of incentives and a focus on moving the right vehicles off dealer lots were among the key success factors. [The collateral damage is the consumer as the 2025 average consumer transaction price (CFTP – Customer-Facing Transaction Price – is Power’s term) was ~$45,500, and it has increased to $46,400 year-to-date in 2026, Worse, Power forecasts it will be $46,600 to $46,900 by year’s end – AutoCrat.]**
“While it isn’t time to don party hats and start tossing confetti, there is no doubt that the auto industry has been able to negotiate the slings and arrows of 2026 much more nimbly than might have been anticipated. A potentially toxic combination of historic supply chain challenges, spiraling fuel costs, record high new-vehicle prices and economic uncertainty could have caused retail sales to plummet. Instead, year-over-year retail sales volumes are in line with forecasts. In fact, fourth quarter retail sales are expected to be stronger than last year, bringing the full year result to nearly flat in 2026,” said Power this morning. Continue reading
GM launches OnStar Fleet Intelligence Platform with AI
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General Motors (NYSE: GM)* said that fleet customers can streamline fleet management with the newly launched OnStar Fleet Intelligence platform with AI.**
“Our fleet customers need simple, intuitive tools to manage their vehicles and efficiently manage operating costs,” said Ian Hucker, global vice president, GM Fleet. “The OnStar Fleet Intelligence platform meets this need head-on, streamlining complex data into one accessible dashboard so business owners can focus less on administrative hurdles and more on efficiently scaling their operations.” Continue reading →