Dealers
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Courtesy of Toyota
Q&AToyota’s US sales boss talks EVs, hybrid trucks and maintaining affordability
With multiple EVs, Toyota has “gas-price-proofed our lineup,” its head of U.S. sales told WardsAuto.
By Bengt Halvorson • Sept. 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai sees growth in hybrids, robotaxis and physical AI
Hyundai Motor Group’s recent CEO Investor Day served to underscore how the company’s recent technology investments fit in with making more cars, more profitably.
By Bengt Halvorson • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 5 stories from WardsAuto
Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.
By WardsAuto staff -
Courtesy of Genesis
Cox raises 2026 new-car sales forecast on positive indicators
Gas prices aren't slowing sales, and wealthier buyers are accounting for a bigger piece of the market, according to the industry analysts at Cox Automotive.
By Jim Henry • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Volkswagen dealers lead peers in service scheduling study
Volvo, Acura, BMW, Mazda and Nissan were other high performers in Pied Piper’s annual study, which also found aftermarket shops outperform dealers in phone scheduling.
By Jim Henry • Sept. 18, 2026 -
Natalie Behring via Getty Images
Fed hikes main interest rate by quarter point, citing stubborn inflation
The monetary tightening provoked criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on the Fed to cut the main interest rate regardless of price pressures.
By Jim Tyson • Sept. 17, 2026 -
Retrieved from Casa Auto Group on September 16, 2026
Casa Auto Group shares 3 AI success stories — and one observation
Jarrod Kilway, the group’s vice president of digital operations, told WardsAuto he has found AI use cases for sales, marketing and fixed operations.
By Alysha Webb • Sept. 16, 2026 -
Courtesy of Tesla
Tesla preps $1.4M Texas distribution center
The automotive and technology manufacturer expects the 538,720-square-foot facility to be operational by the end of 2028, per a state filing.
By Phil Neuffer • Sept. 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
Vehicle infotainment remains a pain point for drivers: JD Power
Multimedia-related problems account for 25% of total vehicle complaints, according to JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study.
By Eric Walz • Sept. 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen
Used vehicle price increases begin to slow as shoppers eye older cars
EVs remain the outperformers though, even as a flood of them returns from lease, according to Manheim's latest used-vehicle value index.
By Jim Henry • Sept. 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Affordability issues, sales outlook damp dealer optimism in Q3
In Cox Automotive’s latest survey of sentiment, dealers cited affordability pressures, rising inflation, higher interest rates and economic uncertainty as key factors for what amounts to a decline.
By Eric Walz • Sept. 9, 2026 -
Courtesy of Scout Motors
VW Group plans more ‘rugged vehicles’ for US amid sweeping restructure
Volkswagen says concentrating investment on fewer models globally will enable it to achieve higher volumes for individual vehicles, reduce costs and create greater economies of scale.
By Greg Kable • Sept. 9, 2026 -
Getty Images
Carvana’s Stellantis dealers compete for nationwide sales
It’s created a service gap that represents an opportunity for other Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealers.
By Alysha Webb • Sept. 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toyota
Auto finance in Q2 reflects boom in hybrid sales
Hybrids are surging in popularity; their monthly payments are lower on average than EVs and internal combustion engine models.
By Jim Henry • Sept. 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Performance Brokerage Services
Utah-based dealership group acquires CDJR and GMC stores in Idaho
But new car sales are a small part of Mountain West Auto Group’s vertical integration.
By Alysha Webb • Sept. 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai, Amazon Autos aim for international expansion
At this time the automaker and e-commerce tech giant's online sales partnership remains limited to the U.S.
By Bengt Halvorson • Sept. 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of Auto Exchange Chevrolet GMC
General Motors gives first-time dealers a chance to turn around troubled store
Alex Feldman and Michael Gitlevich refused to be discouraged when a broker told them no OEM would approve them as franchise owners.
By Alysha Webb • Aug. 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi confirms US-bound, Nissan-based pickup
The brand plans to shift from four models now to six by the end of 2027 — with a pickup and maybe an SUV in the works.
By Bengt Halvorson • Aug. 26, 2026 -
Getty Images
Why are auto loans surging at the low end of prime?
The industry is keeping an eye on rising loan volumes and borrowers' shifting credit ratings. We asked some experts to help make sense of the trendlines.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Q&AStellantis’ US planning chief plots out Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram future
Highly modular vehicle platforms and flexibility on electrification will be key to seeing the vision through.
By Gary Witzenburg • Aug. 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sunny Rathore
A first-time owner partners with his employer to open a Nissan dealership
The opportunity appeared when Group 1 unexpectedly closed one of its Austin stores.
By Alysha Webb • Aug. 19, 2026 -
Getty Images
Carvana flourishes as used-car inventory grows
The second quarter saw Carvana set all-time records for revenue, net income and retail units sold.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 17, 2026 -
Permission granted by Sonic Automotive
Sonic Automotive aiming for ‘sweet spot’ of used-car market
President Jeff Dyke says used-car sales jump when average prices equal half of new-car prices.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 14, 2026 -
Permission granted by LaFontaine Automotive Group
Michigan-based LaFontaine Automotive Group joins Amazon Autos
The partnership promises transparent pricing and a streamlined purchase process, and LaFontaine says it’s the next evolution in an omnichannel retail strategy.
By Eric Walz • Aug. 11, 2026 -
Getty Images
Manheim index shows used EV values are rising
Gas prices increased in July after easing in June, keeping demand for used EVs firm, an analyst said.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 11, 2026 -
Burak Sür via Getty Images
Penske Automotive Group is riding a wave of lease returns
The surge of lease returns is good business even if lessees get their next vehicle at a different dealership.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 10, 2026
