Dealers
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Courtesy of Toyota
Penske Automotive goes private at $16.3B valuation
Mitsui & Co. and Penske Corp. are purchasing the remaining stake they don’t own, dividing Penske Automotive roughly 64-36 Penske-Mitsui.
By Jim Henry • Oct. 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Acura
Acura plans bigger SUV, off-roader, and new generation of hybrids
An 8-passenger SUV and V-6 hybrid powertrain are among the products in the pipeline for Honda’s luxury-performance brand.
By Bengt Halvorson • Oct. 15, 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 -
Robin Warner/WardsAuto
Profile // Wards 10 Best AwardsThe Rivian R2 Performance is excellent from the start
More than a sequel to the R1, the R2 Performance has an impressive power output at an affordable price, landing its propulsion system a prestigious award.
By Gary S. Vasilash • Oct. 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Porsche
Porsche steers toward gas, leans less on sales volume for profitability
The performance brand is no longer relying on a rapid shift to EVs and is instead renewing its focus and investments on combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.
By Greg Kable • Oct. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Wards 10 Best AwardsHistoric shift: 2026 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems awards go entirely to electrified powertrains
It’s the first time in the awards’ 32-year history that no pure internal-combustion engine wins: Four BEVs, four HEVs, and two PHEVs claim the top honors in 2026.
By WardsAuto • Oct. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen
First Drive: 2027 Volkswagen Atlas re-ups SUV formula for the family
VW said that it “perfected the recipe” for the Atlas, with a new look, more power and better fuel economy — but a hybrid version remains a couple years away.
By Tanya Gazdik • Oct. 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
Soaring fuel costs impact some used-car prices in Q3
According to the latest Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, wholesale depreciation accelerated and high gas prices boosted demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.
By Jim Henry • Oct. 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Detroit Auto Show
Top automotive conferences of 2027
The major industry gatherings in the upcoming year will continue to focus on emerging technology, including a rollout of new hybrid powertrains, vehicle connectivity, software, AI and digital retail.
By Eric Walz • Oct. 8, 2026 -
Bengt Halvorson/WardsAuto
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV review: Soft launch, strong vision
Mitsubishi’s first electric vehicle in years is a pragmatic prelude to a brand remake.
By Bengt Halvorson • Oct. 7, 2026 -
Getty Images
Car loan interest tax deduction disappoints dealers, lenders
In its implemented form, the auto loan interest tax deduction included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a dud for many consumers, as it excludes negative equity carried over to new loans.
By Jim Henry • Oct. 6, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
CarMax sales surge, buoyed by cost-cutting
A combination of changes including sourcing more cars from customers, boosting captive financing, and revising warranty and service offerings, have helped the used-car retail giant cut costs.
By Jim Henry • Oct. 5, 2026 -
Permission granted by Ben Sporn/VIP Auto Group
A family dealership revolutionizes its operations with AI
As VIP Auto Group's CMO, Ben Sporn has helped build AI-based solutions to overhaul the company’s e-commerce parts business and improve its fixed operations.
By Alysha Webb • Oct. 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford announces CPO program for commercial vehicles
Ford Pro Advantage will offer customers affordable used trucks and vans through a national sales network of more than 700 commercial vehicle centers.
By Eric Walz • Sept. 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Benzel-Busch Mercedes-Benz
ProfileA Mercedes-Benz dealership’s service director embraces AI to improve turn time
Keeping the customer communication personal but using AI behind the scenes has made all the difference.
By Alysha Webb • Sept. 28, 2026 -
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 -
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
