HOUSTON, Texas - Fountain Forward, a Houston-based automotive marketing agency, has released its latest Automotive Market Minute episode, offering dealers and market watchers an in-depth look at the trends shaping the U.S. automotive industry as the new year begins.

Hosts & Key Themes 

The January episode features founder Stephen Jurgella alongside market analysts Phil Trzebiatowski and James Sivco. The discussion unpacks the 2025 year-end review, the surprising resilience of the market in December, and how dealers can prepare for the critical tax season ahead.

Section 1: The "State of the Union" (Sales & Inventory)

• Sales Performance: The team recaps a year of "growth in both new and used vehicle sales" for 2025, noting a "surprising comeback in December sales despite challenges" that closed the year on a stronger note than expected.
• The "Uneven" Reality: While sales grew, dealers faced significant headwinds, including "rising expenses and dealer complaints," creating a complex profitability landscape going into 2026.

Section 2: Incentives, Rates & Financial Trends

• Factory Incentives: The episode provides forecasts for factory support and incentives, a critical factor for maintaining momentum in the new year.
• External Factors: The analysts discuss the "influence of the US dollar on vehicle prices" and what dealerships can expect regarding pricing pressure in the coming months.

Section 3: Consumer Sentiment & Macro Indicators

• Tax Season Peak: A major focus of the episode is the upcoming tax return season, with the team pinpointing February 23 as the "peak of tax refund season" and urging dealers to prepare for this wave of traffic.
• Consumer Behavior: The discussion highlights key vehicle brands to watch, specifically identifying Toyota and Lexus as indicators of current consumer preference trends.

Section 4: Key Metrics Snapshot

• New Car Sales: 2025 showed overall growth despite headwinds.
• Used Car Market: Navigating the used car market remains a key challenge for 2026.
• Vehicle Pricing: Insights into vehicle price increases and the impact of currency strength.

Section 5: Action Steps for Dealers Fountain Forward’s experts conclude the episode with practical recommendations:

• Tax Season Prep: Strategies for "leveraging tax returns to boost sales" and capturing ready-to-buy consumers during the February peak.
• Pricing Strategy: A focus on "the importance of pricing and inventory mix in 2026" to protect margins against rising operational costs.
• Sales Team Readiness: Immediate advice to "get your sales team ready for the wave of traffic" expected around late February.

Availability

• Watch the Episode: The Automotive Market Minute is a complimentary monthly video series helping dealerships decode market data. The latest episode, titled "2026 Automotive Market Insights: Tax Season Strategies and the Road Ahead," is available on YouTube and the Fountain Forward website.

About Fountain Forward Marketing Agency:
Based in Houston, Texas, Fountain Forward Marketing Agency is a team of automotive marketing experts dedicated to helping dealerships succeed. The agency combines data-driven analytics with innovative marketing strategies to boost lead volume, sales, and appointment show rates.

Email: admin@fountainforward.com

Media Contact

Name
Fountain Forward Marketing Agency
Contact name
Stephen Jurgella
Contact phone
(844) 200-2797
Contact address
303 Tabor St.
City
Houston
State
TX
Zip
77009
Country
United States
Url
https://fountainforward.com/