Dealers
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Courtesy of Dodge
ColumnBuild it and they will come? Not always in the auto biz
Automakers today are less likely to build multiple vehicle configurations that don’t sell well.
By Steve Finlay • April 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Vann York Automotive Group
Vann York Auto Group acquires Hyundai, Kia stores
Adding human capital supported Vann York Automotive Group's recent Hyundai and Kia store acquisitions.
By Alysha Webb • Updated April 13, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial Intelligence
Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.
By WardsAuto staff -
Pablo Monsalve via Getty Images
Low inventories, income-tax refunds raising used-vehicle values
High prices for new vehicles are prompting new-car shoppers to pivot to used vehicles, and that boosts used-car demand, Cox Automotive said.
By Jim Henry • April 9, 2026 -
Jay L Clendenin via Getty Images
End of EV mandate tempts out-of-state buyers to acquire California dealerships
But other regulations still make the state undesirable to some potential automotive franchise owners.
By Alysha Webb • April 8, 2026 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Iran war casts shadow on sales outlook at NY Auto Forum
Both JD Power and Cox Automotive expect their earlier 2026 new-vehicle sales forecasts to hold — but a drawn-out war could change things.
By Jim Henry • April 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Rivian
State dealer laws add up to $5K to a new vehicle’s price, think tank finds
“Protecting an incumbent distribution channel is not the same as protecting consumers,” the International Center for Law & Economics concluded in an issue brief.
By Eric Walz • April 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jerry Seiner Subaru of Valencia
Three stores, two buyers and one seller: The complex tale of the Hello Auto sale
Ghreiwati Auto Group acquired Mazda and Kia stores in Southern California, while a Subaru store went to a different buyer.
By Alysha Webb • March 31, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
Why the Iran war hasn’t yet affected US vehicle sales forecasts
Cox Automotive notes that it historically takes months of high gas prices to broadly impact new-vehicle sales.
By Jim Henry • March 31, 2026 -
Courtesy of Honda
Base Station travel trailer boasts Honda design and engineering
The pandemic introduced a new generation to the outdoorsy lifestyle, and the Honda-engineered, U.S.-built product could drive these younger active types to the brand and its dealerships.
By Bengt Halvorson • March 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.
Hyundai plans to launch 36 ‘new and enhanced’ vehicles in North America through 2030
The plans are part of a $26 billion investment commitment in U.S. manufacturing the company announced last year.
By Eric Walz • March 27, 2026 -
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
New CarMax CEO Barr looks to tech for better UX
After some rough quarters and a loss of market share to rivals like Carvana, leadership is focused on an interface that’s easier to use.
By Jim Henry • Updated March 31, 2026 -
Courtesy of Tesla
Dealers need to step up and educate on EV charging: JD Power
The firm underscored that EV drivers have a lot to navigate to understand the best home-charging option — and dealers are in the best position to help.
By Bengt Halvorson • March 25, 2026 -
Permission granted by Steve Finlay
ColumnDealers chafe as Scout Motors plans to sell cars factory-direct
Despite legal opposition, dealer-less sales are “100% of the plan,” says Scott Keogh, CEO of the VW Group’s spinoff automaker.
By Steve Finlay • March 25, 2026 -
Permission granted by Luis Somoano
Brand loyalty and family guided this Miami dealer’s acquisition
Luis Somoano, who owns two Miami-area Ford and two Lincoln stores, says he purchased the second Ford store with his daughters' success in mind.
By Alysha Webb • March 23, 2026 -
Obtained from Carmax
CarMax appoints Keith Barr as CEO
He joins the used-car retailer after serving as chief executive of InterContinental Hotels Group.
By Jim Irwin • March 18, 2026 -
Courtesy of Porsche of Greenville
Third-generation dealers branch out with RBM Automotive Group
The first move for brother and sister David Ellis and Casey Frames was to acquire Porsche, Land Rover and Nissan dealers in Greenville, South Carolina from Asbury Automotive Group.
By Alysha Webb • March 17, 2026 -
Tim Boyle via Getty Images
FTC warns 97 auto dealership groups about deceptive pricing
The letters stress the need for truthful and transparent pricing in the automotive industry.
By Jim Irwin • March 16, 2026 -
Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
New-car affordability challenges may drive used-vehicle demand
Meanwhile, high auction prices push dealers to “self-source” used cars.
By Jim Henry • March 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
ColumnHow creating FordDirect helped avert a potential automaker-dealer showdown
Dealer veteran David Kain, the joint venture’s first employee, recounts how the partnership came about during the early stages of internet shopping.
By Steve Finlay • March 11, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Inventory increase drives profitable 2025 for Carvana
Carvana says it had 75,000 used vehicles to sell as of Dec. 31, 2025, up from 53,000 a year earlier and 33,000 at the end of 2023.
By Jim Henry • March 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM merging its CPO dealer sales program with CarBravo
The move will consolidate the automaker’s certified pre-owned vehicle sales under a single, nationwide omnichannel platform for car shoppers.
By Eric Walz • March 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Mazda North America Operations
Mazda North America CEO looks to boost US sales with new CX-5
The refreshed crossover is targeted at young, growing families and starts around 40% below the average new-vehicle transaction price in the U.S.
By Eric Walz • March 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sonic Automotive Inc.
Sonic Automotive has big plans to revitalize used-car unit
Expecting a used-car market boom, executives outlined plans to set the EchoPark brand up for rapid growth through a $10 million-plus marketing campaign and new e-commerce app.
By Jim Henry • March 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of The Wyler Collection
Ferrari stands out as ultra-luxury dealership acquisitions rise
Some dealers will work to acquire other exotics just to own a Ferrari franchise, experts say.
By Alysha Webb • March 2, 2026 -
Permission granted by Matt Bowers
Matt Bowers buys dealership from Asbury Automotive Group, expanding empire
Dealers are increasingly bullish on Stellantis’ brands, especially on the Ram side, said David Hacman, who advised Bowers on the acquisition.
By Alysha Webb • Feb. 27, 2026
