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Episode #1304: The FTC gave NADA clarity on their recent warning letters, GM has significantly cut down on their technician shortage and Gen Alpha is flexing their spending power.

The FTC gave NADA direct clarity on advertising expectations, and the agency drew a bright line: the price customers see first must be the real price they can actually pay.

• After the Federal Trade Commission sent warning letters to 97 dealerships on March 13, NADA reached out for clarification, according to ComplyAuto
• The FTC says the most prominent advertised price must be the all-in price—only taxes, title, and registration can be excluded.
• Doc fees must now be included in that headline number, regardless of state-level nuances.
• Additional pricing details are allowed, but must be less prominent, clearly explained, and not misleading.
• The FTC framed this initiative as part of the Trump Administration's broader push for transparent pricing in the marketplace and enforcement actions against dealers are expected to follow.
• NADA is hosting a webinar on Monday, April 6 with a senior FTC attorney to provide more information about the warning letters and the agency's views of dealer advertising

GM dealers are gaining ground in the technician shortage, with stronger pipelines and more trained talent hitting the floor. But as EVs and advanced tech ramp up, the need for skilled service pros is still outpacing supply.

• GM dealers now employ 23% more technicians than in 2021, showing real traction from training investments.
• Apprenticeships are up 18%, and “world-class” technicians—top certification level—have doubled.
• The gap remains steep: industry needs ~76K techs yearly, but only ~39K are graduating from programs.
• GM is attacking the problem from all angles—schools, military programs, and hands-on training with 250 donated vehicles annually.
• “If we want the future workforce to be ready and able to service our vehicles, they have to have the product to work on.” — Aaron Charbonneau, GM director of dealer, service and warranty operations

Gen Alpha isn’t waiting to grow up—they’re already shaping buying decisions and making purchases. A new PwC report shows kids as young as 7 are actively influencing carts, clicks, and brand loyalty in ways dealers (and brands) can’t ignore.

• 52% of kids 7–14 have added items to shared online carts.
• A quarter have ordered food themselves through apps.
• Smartphone ownership hits 89% by ages 13–14, fueling direct purchasing.
• YouTube, gaming, and streaming dominate attention—traditional ads miss them.
• The report says, “Generation Alpha isn’t a future consumer segment…they’re participating now.”

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