In the latest episode of Riding Shotgun, Alan Haig is joined by John Murphy and Mike Stanton, President & CEO of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), to discuss the current state of the auto retail industry and the critical issues shaping its future.

The conversation dives into dealer profitability, EV incentives, tariffs, and the challenges posed by direct-to-consumer sales models. Mike shares how NADA is advocating for dealers in Washington, fighting government and manufacturer overreach, and ensuring the franchise system continues to provide value for consumers and local communities.

The discussion also covers lessons from the 2025 NADA Show in New Orleans, changes coming for the 2026 convention in Las Vegas, and why dealer engagement in politics is more important than ever. Alan, John, and Mike highlight the resilience of auto retailers through economic and regulatory headwinds and the opportunities ahead for those who remain proactive.

Key Highlights:

• Dealer profitability remains strong despite EV and tariff uncertainty
• The $7,500 EV lease credit is driving sales but may create a future “EV cliff”
• NADA advocacy efforts focus on tariffs, right-to-repair, and catalytic converter theft
• Ongoing fight against direct-to-consumer models to protect the franchise system
• NADA 20 Group program helping dealers learn and improve performance
• Insights from the 2025 NADA Show and major updates planned for 2026
• Why dealer engagement in political advocacy is critical for long-term success