5 Creative Ways Dealerships Can Navigate the New Tariffs

As the latest round of tariffs takes hold under the Trump administration, dealerships are once again forced to do more with less. Parts costs are rising, consumers are hesitant, and internal communication is getting more chaotic by the day. But it’s not all bad news. Read on for tips.

Smart dealerships are treating this moment as a chance to reset, refocus, and double down on the things they can control starting with people and process. Here are five ways you can tackle this new reality with creativity, confidence, and clarity.

1. Lead with Stability, Even If the Market Isn’t

In times of uncertainty, your team looks to you for direction. That doesn't mean having all the answers—but it does mean offering clarity and calm. One of the most powerful things you can do right now is commit to consistent internal messaging and development, even if external conditions are in flux.

RockED Tip: Use journeys like “Managing Through Stress” or “Lead Like a Marine, Listen Like a Therapist” to support your leaders and create calm from the top down.

2. Empower Your Service Team to Be the Voice of Urgency

As prices rise, consumers may delay maintenance they can’t afford to skip. That’s why your service team needs the tools to initiate proactive, meaningful outreach. Not just upselling but educating and empathizing.

RockED Tip: Leverage content like “Offer Solutions” and “Impress the Customer” to help your advisors prioritize conversations with customers driving older cars or overdue for service.

3. Train for Tough Conversations Before They Happen

Tariffs aren’t just an economic issue; they’re emotional. Many customers are confused, frustrated, or fearful. Your team needs to know how to handle affordability concerns, overcome hesitation, and position value with empathy and confidence.

RockED Tip: Deploy “Handling Vehicle Affordability Concerns” and “Dealing with Challenging Situations” to prepare your frontline for what’s coming.

4. Learn Within the 'Flow of Work'

Every dealership is being asked to do more with fewer resources. Whether you're dealing with turnover, onboarding delays, or a lack of formal training time, the solution isn't less development—it’s smarter development.

RockED Tip: With mobile-first delivery and journeys that launch in hours, RockED helps you onboard, coach, and upskill without disrupting your day-to-day.

5. Use Technology to Stay Connected—Not Just Informed

Email updates and morning meetings won’t cut it in this environment. Your employees need access to real-time support, and your leadership needs visibility into progress. Think of RockED as a central nervous system for dealership development. With RockED, you instantly connect teams, align messaging, and keep performance on track.

RockED Tip: Content like “The ‘New’ Needs Analysis” or “Lead With Emotional Intelligence” reinforces consistent messaging that sticks from executives to the service lane.

Final Thought

You can’t control the tariffs, but you can control how your team shows up in response. The dealerships that adapt now will come out stronger, leaner, and more connected than ever. RockED is here to help you lead the charge.

If you don’t have access to RockED today, book some time with us to talk about getting immediate access.