Dealers
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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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 -
Fahroni via Getty Images
Group 1 Automotive overhauls its branding strategy
The company is pivoting away from legacy dealership names while acquiring a large footprint in markets it occupies.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Nissan Motor UK/SMMT
UK automaker discounts on EV purchases not sustainable, trade group warns
Despite a double-digit jump in July new-vehicle registrations, the nation’s industry body claims automakers are “hemorrhaging billions” of pounds.
By Paul Myles • Aug. 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Lithia Motors
Despite record revenues, Lithia works behind the scenes on customer affordability
The biggest U.S. megadealer group is adopting a new dealership management system and reconfiguring its organization.
By Jim Henry • Aug. 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Asbury Automotive Group
Asbury Automotive’s big DMS switch hits the home stretch
The megadealer has converted 70% of its operations to a new, cloud-based system it hopes will access productivity and efficiency gains.
By Jim Henry • July 31, 2026 -
Getty Images
The Niello Company uses AI to make its dealerships’ staff more effective
While the California dealer group already puts AI to use in a range of tasks from compliance insights to crafting pay plans, its sales and finance director has suggestions for the future.
By Alysha Webb • July 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Tesla Inc.
Amid an affordability pinch, premium brands risk losing luster to tech
Car shoppers are reprioritizing expectations, and having advanced technology in their vehicles matters — especially for those under 45, a recent study finds. So what can legacy OEMs do?
By Bengt Halvorson • July 27, 2026 -
Getty Images
Ally Financial sees loan applications rise to record levels in Q2
The lender's increase in applications from the top of the purchase funnel allows it to be more selective while growing volume.
By Jim Henry • July 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toyota
Penske and Mitsui seek to take Penske Auto private in $3.8B deal
Two current owners of global retailer Penske Automotive Group are offering $210 a share, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
By Jim Henry • July 23, 2026 -
Getty Images
Why auto dealer M&A activity could hit record levels in 2026
Dealers are increasingly eyeing luxury brands as well as volume franchises such as Honda and Toyota. But that's only part of the surge.
By Jim Henry • July 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Kia America
Kia recalls nearly 463K Telluride SUVs due to fire risk from overheated power seat motors
To date, Kia has received no reports of injuries or crashes related to the issue despite several reports of fires beneath the front seats.
By Kalena Thomhave • July 17, 2026 -
Permission granted by Jay's Chevrolet
A first-time buyer from Canada becomes a dealer principal in Ohio
Satisfying the longtime owner’s demands was the biggest hurdle, said Jay Trivedi.
By Alysha Webb • July 17, 2026 -
Courtesy of Rivian
California offers $3,500 point-of-sale rebate for first-time EV buyers
The instant rebate is part of a broader $600 million incentive package Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law to keep the state a leader in clean transportation.
By Eric Walz • July 16, 2026 -
Retrieved from Freeport Texas on July 10, 2026
Mitsubishi Motors taps Texas port to boost US auto distribution
The company selected Port Freeport to improve its transportation flows to Gulf and Midwest dealer partners.
By Alejandra Carranza • July 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen
Facing high costs, Volkswagen aims to halve model lineup
The global automaker seeks to cut equipment options by up to 75% and its production capacity to 9 million units.
By Greg Kable • July 14, 2026 -
Permission granted by Eric Gentry
Owner of small dealership group already thinking big
Eric Gentry has expanded the staff and plans more facility upgrades at his newly acquired Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.
By Alysha Webb • Updated July 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford
Gas prices might help offset glut of off-lease EVs
EV lease returns are on the rise — and if pump prices ramp up again, supply and demand might find a balance that’s good for dealers.
By Jim Henry • July 13, 2026 -
Permission granted by Yuriy Demidko
Fox Motors uses AI to tackle problems, capitalize on opportunities
The dealership group's former CIO, Yuriy Demidko, shared his favorite AI fixes with WardsAuto.
By Alysha Webb • July 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM issues recall, stop-sale order for rear power seat fault in Cadillac Vistiq
The third-row power-folding seatback may fail to reverse when a person gets in the way.
By Eric Walz • July 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Serra Automotive Group
Serra Automotive Group grows with decentralized management
A dealer partner across the street from the auto group's latest CDJR acquisition made the store attractive, said president Matt Serra.
By Alysha Webb • July 6, 2026
