Oct. 24, 2025 | Nissan’s biggest U.S. plant goes idle; building service drive loyalty
About this episode
Nissan's largest U.S. plant faces a temporary shutdown due to an aluminum shortage, impacting production of key models like the Rogue and Pathfinder. Ford anticipates a $2 billion profit hit from the same supply chain issues, while GM cuts over 200 jobs to streamline operations. The episode also explores the growing trend of customers turning to independent repair shops, driven by rising service costs and a desire for more personalized experiences. Experts discuss strategies for dealerships to enhance customer loyalty and improve service interactions.
Nissan’s largest plant in the Americas goes down due to an aluminum shortage. That same disruption could cost Ford $2 billion. Plus, Alex Snyder and Tom Harsha of VehicleLyfe discuss how dealership service departments can create loyalty with customers.
Nissan Murano
"The plant builds several high volume models, including the Rogue, Pathfinder, Marano, and Infinity QX60."
The Nissan Murano is a stylish SUV that is comfortable and has nice features, making it a good choice for many drivers.
The Nissan Murano is a midsize crossover SUV that features a stylish design, comfortable interior, and advanced technology, making it a popular choice among buyers looking for a blend of luxury and practicality.
Nissan Pathfinder
"... several high volume models, including the Rogue, Pathfinder, Marano, and Infinity QX60. The disruption adds p..."
Nissan Rogue
"... builds several high volume models, including the Rogue, Pathfinder, Marano, and Infinity QX60. The disru..."
Infiniti QX60
"The plant builds several high volume models, including the Rogue, Pathfinder, Marano, and Infinity QX60."
The Infiniti QX60 is a fancy SUV that is comfortable and has many nice features, making it great for families.
The Infiniti QX60 is a luxury midsize SUV that offers a comfortable ride, high-quality interior, and advanced safety features, appealing to families and those seeking a premium driving experience.
Ford
"Ford is also feeling the fallout from that aluminum plant fire."
Ford is a car company from the United States that makes many types of vehicles, especially trucks and sports cars.
Ford is a well-known American automotive manufacturer recognized for its trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles, including the iconic Ford Mustang and the best-selling F-Series trucks.
F-Series
"To offset the hit, Ford plans to add about 1000 jobs in Kentucky and Michigan by 2026 to boost F-series pickup output."
The Ford F-Series is a group of big trucks that are strong and can carry heavy loads, making them very useful for work and everyday use.
The Ford F-Series is a line of full-size pickup trucks known for their durability, towing capacity, and versatility, making them popular among both commercial and personal users.
supply disruptions
"...there are several high profile supply disruptions rocking the industry right now and some could end up touching Nissan."
Supply disruptions happen when companies can't get the parts or materials they need to make their products, which can cause delays and financial problems.
Supply disruptions refer to interruptions in the availability of materials or components needed for manufacturing, which can impact production schedules and financial performance.
Stellantis
"...it affected Stellantis Ford and it's affecting Nissan."
Stellantis is a big car company that makes many different brands of cars, like Jeep and Peugeot, after a merger between two companies.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturer formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, producing vehicles under various brands including Chrysler, Jeep, Peugeot, and Citroën.
Morelli
"...there's some other vehicle components that are also in short supply and they specifically cited a Morelli Morelli is a huge Nissan supplier and it recently filed for bankruptcy."
Morelli is a company that provides parts to Nissan, and it recently went bankrupt, which could cause problems for Nissan in getting the parts they need.
Morelli is a supplier for Nissan that recently filed for bankruptcy, indicating potential disruptions in the supply chain for vehicle components.
bankruptcy
"...Morelli is a huge Nissan supplier and it recently filed for bankruptcy."
Bankruptcy means that a company can't pay back its debts and may have to sell its assets or reorganize to try to recover.
Bankruptcy is a legal status of a person or organization that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors, often leading to reorganization or liquidation of assets.
service drive
"What are you seeing when it comes to the service drive and loyalty with customers?"
The service drive is where you take your car to get it fixed or checked at a dealership. It's important because it helps keep customers coming back for car maintenance.
The service drive is the area of a dealership where customers bring their vehicles for maintenance and repairs. It is crucial for customer retention as it directly impacts the dealership's ability to keep customers returning for service.
warranty
"I know retention is a bear for dealerships. Three year warranty expires typically 70% of those customers go elsewhere for their repair needs."
A warranty is like a promise from the car maker that they'll fix certain problems for free for a few years. After that, you might have to pay for repairs yourself.
A warranty is a guarantee provided by the manufacturer or dealer that covers certain repairs or services for a specified period. In this context, a three-year warranty typically covers repairs for three years after purchase, after which many customers may seek service elsewhere.
retention
"I know retention is a bear for dealerships. Three year warranty expires typically 70% of those customers go elsewhere for their repair needs."
Retention is about keeping customers coming back to the same place for service. If a dealership has good retention, it means people like their service and return when they need repairs.
Retention refers to the ability of a dealership to keep customers returning for service and repairs. High retention rates indicate that customers are satisfied and choose to return, while low rates suggest they may seek service elsewhere.
cost of service
"And what has happened since 2019 is we've seen a significant increase in costs across the board service specifically in 2019."
Cost of service is how much money you have to pay when you take your car in for repairs or maintenance. It's been getting more expensive over the years, which can make people think about going somewhere else.
The cost of service refers to the amount customers pay for maintenance and repairs at a dealership. In this context, it's noted that costs have significantly increased since 2019, impacting customer loyalty and retention.
age of vehicles
"And we're also seeing the age of vehicles go up. So these customers with over a hundred thousand miles on their car."
The age of vehicles is just how old cars are. Older cars usually need more repairs, which can cost more money when you take them in for service.
The age of vehicles refers to how long cars have been on the road since they were manufactured. Older vehicles often require more maintenance and repairs, which can lead to higher service costs for their owners.
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