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Episode · Saturday, October 3, 2026 · 3:07

Financing Records and a Flagship Opening

Saturday's wire carries a stack of numbers before the doors open. Edmunds finds six new records in financing terms for the third quarter, Auto Remarketing reports, while VinFast adds US dealers despite a steep sales decline. Automotive Dive covers a new Ford manufacturing initiative with JPMorgan Chase and Michigan, and a separate investment in battery production. In the UK, Motor Trader tracks a record month for Chinese brands and electric registrations alongside new store openings from HR Owen and Carsupermarket.com. On the vendor side, DriveCentric and myKaarma both add new tools to the service and acquisition stack, and AutoNation names a new technology chief.

In this episode

Questions from this episode

What did Edmunds find in its third quarter financing data?

Edmunds spotted six new records in the third quarter, with average amounts financed, monthly payments and loan terms all climbing again.

Why is VinFast still adding US dealers despite a sales decline?

The material reports that VinFast is adding US dealers despite a 63% sales decline, without giving a stated reason for the move.

What is the Ford, JPMorgan Chase and Michigan manufacturing initiative?

Ford, JPMorgan Chase and the state of Michigan have set up a new manufacturing initiative.

What record did Chinese brands and electric vehicles set in the UK in September?

Chinese brands hit a new high in September's plate-change month, the same month that set a record for battery-electric registrations.

Who did AutoNation name as its new chief technology officer?

AutoNation has named a former Tesla, Avis Budget and Google executive as its new chief technology officer.

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