Issue calendar
The Clairmont Automotive Report
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Issue calendar
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In this issue
Each item is a short take. Open a story for the full summary, sources and any chart.
GM prepared for more hybrids, October sales forecasts pointed higher, Penske and Group 1 reported softer F&I results, and longer loans helped buyers manage payments.
Auto industry
Stellantis posts Q3 loss, holds outlook
Stellantis reported a Q3 loss and negative industrial cash flow, but kept its full-year guidance and expects positive industrial cash flow in 2027.
Read the full summary →Mercedes final Q3 numbers
Mercedes reported higher group EBIT despite lower revenue and car sales. China fell sharply while U.S. sales rose.
Read the full summary →GM preps Lansing SUV plant for hybrids
GM is preparing Lansing Delta Township for hybrid production. It has not named models or given a start date.
Read the full summary →Toyota previews next hybrid engines
Toyota's next hybrid-engine family targets fuel-economy gains above 15%. Those are development targets, not gains already in dealer inventory.
Read the full summary →October sales pace seen near 16.1M
Cox forecasts an October sales pace of 16.1 million and higher raw volume, helped by more selling days.
Read the full summary →Mazda folds CX-70 into CX-90
Mazda is folding the two-row CX-70 into the CX-90 lineup for 2027. Stores will explain seating choices within one nameplate.
Read the full summary →Lithia grows in Memphis
Lithia bought four Gossett Kia and Hyundai stores in Memphis, more than doubling its local footprint.
Read the full summary →Group 1 closes Hennessy deal
Group 1 completed its purchase of 10 Hennessy dealerships and now has 15 Atlanta stores.
Read the full summary →Ford reports tonight
Ford reports Q3 results after today's close, with its call at 5 p.m. ET.
Read the full summary →F&I
Penske F&I per unit slips
Penske's total retail F&I revenue and income per unit both fell. Same-store F&I per unit declined to $1,734.
Read the full summary →Penske skips call ahead of buyout
Penske skipped its earnings call ahead of a pending $212-a-share take-private deal expected to close in Q1 2027.
Read the full summary →Group 1 F&I revenue down 10%
Group 1's F&I revenue fell 10.4%, more than the 3.6% decline in income per retail unit.
Read the full summary →Mercedes captive returns hold up
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services reported a 13.8% adjusted return on equity in Q3.
Read the full summary →Auto ABS seen cooling into year-end
S&P expects slower auto asset-backed securities issuance in Q4 after a modest gain through September.
Read the full summary →Longer terms carry affordability
Average loan terms reached 69.5 months as rates eased. Longer terms help payments but extend the time buyers remain in debt.
Read the full summary →CPO turn rates soften
Certified vehicles took about 46 days to sell in Q3. The CPO turn rate softened for a second straight quarter.
Read the full summary →Earnings ahead
Sonic and Credit Acceptance report Oct. 29. AutoNation follows before the open Oct. 30.
Read the full summary →