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

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial 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

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

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

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 18 hours ago

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

Dealers 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

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

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

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

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

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

How 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 reactions: Auto industry takes on Supreme Court tariff ruling

Despite the struck-down tariffs’ limited effects on auto imports, industry stakeholders used the moment to call for greater trade clarity, flexibility and a renegotiated USMCA.

By Bengt Halvorson • Feb. 24, 2026

‘A deal is a deal’: EU halts US pact over Trump’s new global tariff

The bloc said it needed “full clarity” on the United States’ tariff plans after a Supreme Court ruling last week struck down many levies.

By Phil Neuffer • Feb. 23, 2026

Trump sets fresh 10% global tariff — and plans to increase further

The new duties will go into effect Feb. 24, although the president has since signaled he will raise the rate to 15%.

By Antone Gonsalves , Phil Neuffer • Feb. 23, 2026

Lithia zigs toward older used cars while others zag

Lithia Motors’ president and CEO says some of its dealerships don't charge enough for older used cars and should sell more — while rivals like AutoNation and Penske Automotive are old-car skeptics.

By Jim Henry • Feb. 20, 2026

‘A very rare opportunity’: Fletcher Jones nabs BMW dealership in Southern California

It’s rare to find a single-point, family-owned luxury franchise for sale in an affluent market. Now, the new owners are looking to leverage it by improving the customer experience.

By Alysha Webb • Feb. 20, 2026

Automakers and dealers rely on each other. Can they get along better?

As hot-button issues like direct-to-consumer sales flare up, WardsAuto’s Steve Finlay spoke with dealership and OEM executives for tips on how to improve the ever-important relationship.

By Steve Finlay • Feb. 19, 2026