2026 Pub. 8 Issue 2

The California Auto Outlook offers comprehensive information on the California new vehicle market. This report covers the first quarter of 2026, and includes information about forecasts for light vehicle registrations, the top-selling brands in key segments, top-selling models in state and U.S. markets, and more. Click to view and download the California Auto Outlook.

Beginning on October 1, dealers will face additional obligations under the California CARS Act (“the Act”). California dealers are no strangers to the complex regulatory environment, and staying prepared has always been important if government regulators or private plaintiff attorneys come knocking. There are many ways dealers can protect their business, but proper documentation remains

In California, conversations around warranty reimbursement are increasingly tied to a broader challenge dealers face every day: the shortage of certified technicians and the rising cost of retaining them.

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Vehicle dealers regularly encounter situations involving unlicensed prospective drivers, whether during test drives, the sales process or vehicle delivery.

Anthony Bento Chief Legal Officer Hometown: Sacramento, CaliforniaWith CNCDA since: January 2017 Tell us about your background. How did you end up at CNCDA? I double-majored in film and digital media and in politics in college. After college, I worked as a photographer in New York, but I realized it wasn’t a great career choice.