Wins in Satisfaction, Smarter Video Ads, and Marketing Moves to Watch 

It’s been a solid stretch for auto and digital marketing pros. From rising owner satisfaction to the surprising impact of short-form ads – and fresh insights shaping the second half of 2025 – there’s a lot to like right now. Let’s get into it. 

New-Vehicle Satisfaction Is Climbing 

According to the latest J.D. Power APEAL study, new-vehicle owner satisfaction just hit its highest level since 2020, jumping four points to 851 out of 1,000. 

For the first time since 2019, all 10 satisfaction categories improved. The biggest boosts came in fuel economy (+13 points), infotainment (+6), and interior ratings (+6). Whether shoppers went premium or mass market, satisfaction is trending up. 

Notably, Mini and Porsche topped their respective segments, while brands like GMC and BMW performed strongly. Carryover models (vs. newly redesigned ones) actually rated higher in key categories like setup/startup and infotainment, signaling that consistency still matters. 

Bottom line: when the experience is great, owners take notice. And when that sentiment spreads, dealers benefit. 

Shorter Facebook Ads Do More Than You Think 

Short-form video is having a moment – again. 

Meta confirmed that Facebook video ads under 30 seconds are set to loop for approximately 90 seconds total. That means a 15-second ad could replay six times, passively reinforcing your message every few seconds. 

While this depends on the viewer not scrolling away, it’s a small but strategic consideration. Shorter ads could get more brand impressions without increasing spend. 

And unlike Instagram (where all videos loop), Facebook’s looping window offers a unique opportunity for repetition and reach on a budget. If your team is producing longer ads, now might be the time to create short, punchy versions too. 

Digital Marketing Trends Shaping H1 

Fresh stats from H1 reveal where marketers are focusing as we head into fall: 

• Social Content Drives Sales: 76 percent of users say social influenced a purchase, and that jumps to 90 percent for Gen Z. 

• Influencer Partnerships are Up: 59 percent of marketers plan to work with more creators in 2025. 

• Video Ad Spend is Booming: Digital video is up 14 percent year-over-year, led by CTV growth and short-form formats. 

• AI is Here to Stay: 71 percent of marketers plan to invest $10 million+ in AI over the next three years, and 83 percent of CMOs are optimistic about the tech. 

Despite economic headlines, 66 percent of U.S. consumers still feel confident paying for essentials and nearly half feel good about non-essentials. 

That’s your green light. 

Strong Automotive Helps You Act on What’s Working 

It’s a great time to push forward. Shoppers are satisfied, digital video is surging, and social influence continues to grow. But timing, format, and message all matter – and that’s where we come in.