Author: Robert Arena

Costs reshape the market

Fuel costs and interest rates are reshaping how Canadians shop for vehicles We are in turbulent times. Rising fuel prices and economic instability are having a direct, multi-layered impact on consumer behaviour in the retail automotive market. Buying patterns are …

Chinese EVs and the retail shakeup

What lower-cost imports could mean for Canadian dealers Recently, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government signed a significant trade deal with China that opens the Canadian market to lower-cost electric vehicles. The consensus is that companies like BYD, and others, will …

Cash is king!

In a volatile market, strong cash flow matters more than booked sales or paper profits Today’s automotive ecosystem is volatile.  New tariffs, supply-chain disruptions, recessionary economic indicators and OEM spending restrictions have forced Canadian dealerships to work harder than ever …

Tariff troubles

November 17, 2025

Let’s examine the impact of tariffs on the retail automotive sector Tariffs are, perhaps, the most talked about economic topic of 2025.  They’ve been threatened, debated, imposed, removed, further threatened, increased and decreased multiple times all in the course of …

Tighten the ship

August 20, 2025

How dealers can increase their enterprise value during recessionary periods Today’s volatile economic environment has created significant challenges for dealers.  New tariffs and supply chain issues are raising concerns on dealers’ ability to continue as a going concern. Dealers’ must remain …

What makes a good leader?

Leadership is more important than ever to weather storms Today’s business and political conversations are filled with questions of leadership.  Who are the right leaders to move our country to the next level? Which automotive leaders can help us through …