At NADA Show 2026, dealers will seek out lessons in operational excellence

Auto retailers are convening in Las Vegas to talk business, but for many, improving fixed operations and falling margins remains top of mind.

By Jim Henry • Feb. 3, 2026

Group 1 Automotive’s record 2025 revenues driven by Fixed Ops, F&I

Fixed Ops improved performance last year reflected ongoing efforts to add and retain service technicians.

By Jim Henry • Feb. 2, 2026

The top automotive industry trends to follow in 2026

With automakers navigating tariffs, a sea of regulatory changes, supply chain uncertainties and waning EV demand, we’ve rounded up articles that dive into the topics OEMs and dealers are watching.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 30, 2026

GM Financial net income up 10.6% YoY in 2025

For all of 2025, retail auto loan and lease originations for the captive finance company totaled $55.9 billion, down 0.3% and nearly even with 2024.

By Jim Henry • Jan. 29, 2026

Todd Blue has big plans for Ferrari of Rancho Mirage

Now that he finally owns it, Blue told WardsAuto he hopes to put Ferrari of Rancho Mirage at the center of a luxury-auto ecosystem focused on customer experiences.

By Alysha Webb • Jan. 29, 2026

Trump vows to hike South Korea tariffs to 25%

The U.S. president said he would raise levies, including those on cars, because South Korea’s National Assembly has not enacted terms of a framework trade deal.

By Phil Neuffer • Jan. 27, 2026

It looks like dealers’ facility upgrades do sell more cars

Many car dealers initially resisted automakers’ push to establish a common look for sales facilities, but Mazda and others’ recent experiences show the initiatives pay off.

By Steve Finlay • Jan. 23, 2026

High vehicle prices paid during pandemic come back to haunt borrowers

Owing more on their trade-in than the car is worth is making it harder for new-car buyers to get affordable financing, per Edmunds researchers.

By Jim Henry • Jan. 22, 2026

Most OEMs reported sales growth in 2025 despite tariff-fueled headwinds

Ford Motor Co. reported its best sales year since 2019, while GM’s U.S. sales were up 6% year over year to 2.85 million vehicles.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 21, 2026

Demand remains strong for nearly-new vehicles: Manheim

Wholesale used-vehicle values are expected to remain high in 2026, reflecting robust demand by both consumers and dealers.

By Jim Henry • Jan. 20, 2026

FordDirect names new chief operating officer

Tracy Noonan Fred will oversee teams dedicated to product development, dealer engagement, marketing, analytics and data strategy.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 20, 2026

Dealership M&A headed for banner 2026

Transactions will rise as the valuation gap between buyers and sellers narrows, experts said.

By Alysha Webb • Jan. 15, 2026

How a first-time owner took over Ford, Chevy dealerships in California

Ford and Chevrolet franchises are in demand nationally, one broker said. For Ramon Gitesatani, the path to owning some started with a few key meetings — and a push from his wife, Masouda Gitesatani.

By Alysha Webb • Jan. 14, 2026

GM’s CarBravo doubles warranties on used vehicles

Older, higher-mileage vehicles that do not meet the platform's standard certification criteria are eligible for a 30 day/1,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 13, 2026

Inside Habberstad Auto Group’s acquisition of a New York Kia dealer

Adding Kia to its new-vehicle franchises was a plus, as it is one of the fastest-growing brands in the U.S., said Chairman Erik Habberstad.

By Alysha Webb • Jan. 13, 2026

Dealers’ most-read stories of 2025 reflect focus on innovation, affordability

WardsAuto's dealer readers engaged with stories on family ties and the technological innovations that helped manage a retail environment complicated by shifting regulations, non-traditional competitors and pressure to make vehicles affordable.

By Jim Irwin • Jan. 7, 2026

CarMax promises price relief for used-car customers

The used-car retailer's CEO says lower prices and margins will be accompanied by an increased marketing spend.

By Jim Henry • Jan. 7, 2026

High prices will continue to affect new car sales in 2026: Cox

Years of supply chain constraints and government policy shifts have created a “new baseline” for vehicle pricing, according to the industry analysts.

By Jim Henry • Jan. 5, 2026

How AI could help improve dealer operations

Dealers and vendors are testing powerful new tools for sourcing and selling more vehicles, as well as improving customer satisfaction.

By Alysha Webb • Dec. 23, 2025

New England dealership group enters California with BMW acquisition

The Premier Companies group has a growing love affair with the German brand.

By Alysha Webb • Dec. 18, 2025

Car-loan delinquencies will see little movement in 2026: TransUnion​

Flat auto delinquencies would be an indication that U.S. households are putting the economic effects of the pandemic behind them, TransUnion vice president Michele Raneri said.

By Jim Henry • Dec. 15, 2025

Expert advice: Unlocking AI’s full potential in automotive retail for 2026

Discover how AI can help dealers build trust, streamline operations, and drive sales from the experts at from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book® Instant Cash Offer.

By Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer • Dec. 15, 2025

One Penske dealer group acquires another Penske dealer group

The acquired Toyota and Lexus dealerships collectively sold more than 28,000 new and used vehicles in 2024.

By Alysha Webb • Dec. 12, 2025

Asbury Automotive promotes Dan Clara to CEO

He becomes the dealership group’s new president and CEO after serving since February as chief operating officer.

By Jim Henry • Dec. 11, 2025

Fed trims main rate by quarter-point, forecasts one cut in 2026

Policymakers reduced borrowing costs for the third time in 2025 amid persistent signs of cooling in the labor market.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 11, 2025