Weekly roundup: NADA’s Stanton on China and direct sales, dealers weigh affordability and EVs, Wright named TIME Dealer of the Year

ICYMI: Ford and Xiaomi deny Financial Times report of US EV joint venture talks. Dealers weigh affordability and EV strategies ahead of NADA 2026. NADA CEO Mike Stanton outlines strategies to combat Chinese automakers and direct sales. Ford will expand regional field support to help dealers who sell fewer than 300 vehicles annually. Dave Wright Nissan Subaru President, Dave Wright, was named the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year.

Missed NADA 2026? Catch up on our exclusive interviews with the industry’s most influential leaders here.

Ford, Xiaomi deny report of US EV joint venture talks
Ford Motor Co. has held preliminary discussions with Chinese electric vehicle maker Xiaomi regarding a potential joint venture to produce EVs in the United States, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. Such a partnership could create a pathway for Chinese automakers to enter the U.S. market. Both companies quickly denied the report, claiming the speculation was false. Read More

Dealers weigh affordability and EV strategies ahead of NADA 2026
As dealerships prepare for this week’s NADA Show, leaders in the retail automotive industry say high vehicle prices and uncertain EV demand are shaping how they will approach automakers and policymakers in Las Vegas. Affordability continues to dominate dealer concerns; financing hurdles add another layer of complexity; and EV demand has softened in the wake of expiring federal tax credits, creating a challenging environment for dealers as they balance inventory and sales strategies. Read More

NADA CEO Mike Stanton outlines strategies on Chinese automakers, direct sales
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is outlining its approach to support government policies that prevent Chinese automakers from entering the U.S. market and reinforcing its opposition to direct-to-consumer vehicle sales. CEO Mike Stanton announced these strategies on February 3 during the Haig Partners Maximizing Value Conference, with further remarks at the AutoTeam America Dealer/CEO/CFO Forum & Buy-Sell Summit, as reported by Automotive News. Read More

Ford to expand regional field support for small U.S. dealers
At the NADA Show meeting for Ford dealers who sell fewer than 300 vehicles a year, on Feb 3, executives promised to invest more than 100 dedicated field support zone managers to improve service and operational support for retailers. The automaker announced the initiative during the 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas, outlining plans to add 106 zone managers across its 21 U.S. sales regions. Read More

Dave Wright named 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year
Dave Wright, president of Dave Wright Nissan Subaru, was named the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year during the NADA Show on Feb. 5 in Las Vegas, earning one of the automotive industry’s highest honors for dealer leadership and community service. Read More

Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss

Why seamless omnichannel experiences now drive car buyer loyalty — Jeri Reichel | Cox Automotive
Consumer expectations for buying vehicles online have reached a tipping point, pushing digital retailing from optional to essential. Joining Jim Fitzpatrick on this episode of Driving Solutions is Jeri Reichel, AVP of Strategic Planning at Cox Automotive, who explains why dealers that embrace omnichannel retailing now are better positioned to compete as buyer behavior and technology continue to evolve. 

Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello’s blueprint for the ‘7 Cs’ of effective leadership
Welcome to another episode of Loyalty-Based Sales Strategies, with host Jen Suzuki. Today, we’re joined by Sandy Fitzgerald, Vice President and Dealer Operator at Pohanka Automotive Group, and the newly appointed vice chair of NADA. With decades of hands-on experience across every department of dealership operations, Fitzgerald-Angello shares how her career has been shaped by mentorship, community focus, and a people-first leadership approach that drives both growth and loyalty.