Dealers
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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 -
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 -
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 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
US blocks quick USMCA extension, putting annual review process into motion
The U.S., Mexico and Canada will continue negotiating about potential adjustments to the trilateral free trade agreement, which will remain in place until at least 2036.
By Phil Neuffer • July 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford
ColumnWhy are vehicle recall numbers so high?
Several large-scale safety debacles led to “a paradigm shift” in the way NHTSA tackles recalls. What's followed has been painful to automakers — and a mixed bag to dealers.
By Steve Finlay • July 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jeff Wyler Automotive Family
Dealership group creates its AI solutions in-house
Jeff Wyler Automotive Family employees harness tech training to build AI tools that boost efficiency.
By Alysha Webb • June 30, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
For CarMax, lower profits are part of its short-term growth strategy
The used-car retailer says accepting lower gross profits per unit lets it keep retail prices down and increase sales.
By Jim Henry • June 26, 2026 -
Getty Images
New-car sales: unsteady as she goes
Cox Automotive is sticking to its mildly optimistic new-vehicle sales forecast, despite uncertainty about the U.S. economy.
By Jim Henry • June 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
How first-time buyers secured a Pennsylvania CDJR dealership
Ahmed Fayed was a general manager with a dream. Robert Palmese, a car enthusiast in another industry. The stars aligned for them to create PalmEasy Motors.
By Alysha Webb • June 22, 2026 -
Permission granted by Fette Auto Group
Family-owned Fette Auto Group buys Ford dealership in New York
The barn-like facility will retain its small-town identity, and give the Fette family an opportunity to expand inventory and its service business.
By Alysha Webb • June 18, 2026 -
Roberto Schmidt via Getty Images
Fed ends bias toward more easing, holds benchmark rate steady
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh repeatedly said the central bank’s monetary policy committee will push down inflation toward its 2% goal.
By Jim Tyson • Updated June 17, 2026 -
Permission granted by Brian Benstock
New York dealer boosts customer convenience with mobile service
Software provider Curbee claims almost 40% of repair orders can be done off-site.
By Jim Henry • June 17, 2026 -
Getty Images
Adapting AI to auto dealership operations is a work in progress
Ohio dealer Kyle Pisani uses artificial intelligence to maximize sales, fine-tune operations and measure performance.
By Alysha Webb • June 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi reveals Eclipse Sportback EV based on the Nissan Leaf
A fully electric model under the Eclipse nameplate will be the next to arrive in a series of steps toward the brand’s U.S. renewal and sales growth.
By Bengt Halvorson • June 12, 2026 -
Permission granted by Brandon Steven
Retaining top talent adds dealership value after acquisitions
Having a stable management team can boost service volume and sales for a more profitable business, buy-sell experts noted.
By Alysha Webb • June 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai
Used EV values are rallying, and the timing is right for dealers
Gas prices are driving demand — and prices — for used EVs, just as dealers face an influx of them off-lease.
By Jim Henry • June 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford, Bloomberg investing $5M to train technicians at Detroit schools
Ford says the U.S. auto industry will need more than 350,000 new technicians by 2029 to keep pace with rapid vehicle technological shifts, including 7,000 in Michigan.
By Eric Walz • June 9, 2026 -
Permission granted by Andy Guelcher
Chevrolet dealer acquires bankrupt Cadillac store in New Jersey
New co-owner Andy Guelcher sees big mobile service opportunities.
By Alysha Webb • June 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toyota
Big auto retailers’ growth strategy includes selling dealerships
Penske, Group 1 and Lithia have shown it isn't just acquisitions that drive shareholder performance.
By Jim Henry • June 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai is helping set dealers up for mobile service
The automaker sees mobile service vans as a way of extending the dealership experience — and potentially expanding service capacity.
By Bengt Halvorson • June 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Scaling up: What dealers should know about Stellantis’ big product revamp
The automaker’s U.S. investment focuses on Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep, adding seven more models under $39,000 by 2030, including smaller Ram trucks and new compact Chrysler and Dodge SUVs.
By Bengt Halvorson • June 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford
Pickups are behind a surge in high auto loan payments
Nearly a fifth of new-vehicle loans topped $1,000 in Q1 2026, hitting an all-time quarterly high, according to Experian.
By Jim Henry • May 29, 2026 -
Permission granted by Brandon Steven
Brandon Steven Motors gains Maryland might with 12-dealership deal
With multiple Ford and Chevy stores only part of it, the nearly $500,000 deal achieves what was described as "a lock on all the domestic business in southern Maryland."
By Alysha Webb • May 28, 2026 -
Getty Images
Group 1 Automotive trims 700 jobs in Q1 amid uncertain market
The headcount reduction and other cuts could help slash annual expenses for the Houston-based megadealer by about $50 million.
By Jim Henry • May 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Alpine Automotive Group
A Colorado dealership group buys its first Chevrolet store
New co-owner Ivette Dominguez Drawe is counting on an inventory boost to kick-start sales.
By Alysha Webb • May 21, 2026
