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Car industry trends, automotive marketing and advertising: what is working right now for dealers and car brands. New posts every Tuesday and Friday.
Industry · November 3, 2026 · 8 min read
Car Dealership Marketing Strategies for 2026 (by the Data)
Where buyers actually shop, how much dealers spend on advertising, and the six marketing shifts that matter in 2026, sourced from Cox Automotive, NADA and CarGurus.
Dealer playbook · November 2, 2026 · 6 min read
Dealer Sentiment Q3 2026: Win With Fewer Shoppers
Cox's Q3 2026 dealer survey shows soft traffic and hard-to-find cars under $20,000. Here is how independent dealers can turn more of the shoppers they get.
Industry · November 1, 2026 · 6 min read
Car Buyer Journey 2026: What Shoppers Do Online First
Cox Automotive's 2026 buyer study shows used shoppers visit about 5 sites before buying. See what they want online and how dealers can win the first look.
Dealer playbook · October 31, 2026 · 5 min read
Aged Inventory Playbook: Move Used Cars Before Day 60
Used car supply hit 49 days in September 2026. Here is a practical 30/60/90-day plan to stop aged inventory from eating your front-end gross.
Dealer playbook · October 30, 2026 · 6 min read
Advertised Price Rules for Car Dealers in 2026: FTC Checklist
The FTC warned 97 auto groups about advertised prices in 2026. See what counts as a total price, the six practices flagged, and a 6-step audit for your ads.
Car marketing · October 23, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Take Pictures of a Car to Sell: 20-Shot Checklist
The exact angles, lighting and background that get car listings clicked, for dealers and private sellers, with a 20-shot checklist you can follow on your phone.
Dealer playbook · October 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Used Car Window Sticker & Buyers Guide Checklist (2026)
What the FTC Buyers Guide requires, what a used car window sticker should show, and California's new total-price rule, in one practical checklist.
Advertising · October 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Car Dealership Video Ideas: 4 Formats Compared for 2026
Walkaround, 360°, 15-second commercial or cinematic reel? Compare each video format by goal, length, platform and cost per car.
Industry · October 16, 2026 · 7 min read
Used Car Market 2026: Prices, Supply & What Dealers Do Next
Latest used car prices, days' supply and the 2026 forecast from Cox Automotive and Edmunds, plus five moves independent dealers can make this month.