Used-Vehicle Prices Remain Elevated

Manheim’s August Used Vehicle Value Index held steady at 207.4, up 1.7% year-over-year, as wholesale prices remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels.

By Jim Henry • Sept. 8, 2025

Industry Voices | Hertz, Amazon and Used Cars

An open letter to Mike Stanton, president of the National Automobile Dealers Assn.

By John F. Possumato • Sept. 5, 2025

Exclusive: Mega Cast Construction Saves on Vehicle Repairs, Study Finds

A two-year study by Thatcham Research suggests benefits for automakers, consumers and their insurers.

By Paul Myles • Sept. 5, 2025

AI Inspections Put Trade-In Process on ’Steroids’

UVeye’s high-resolution scans now feed directly into vAuto, giving dealers precise condition reports and merchandising images.

By Alysha Webb • Sept. 5, 2025

Industry Voices | How Dealerships Can Power the EV Shift

By charging batteries at night during off-peak hours and discharging during expensive peak periods, dealers can protect gross margins even as energy prices fluctuate.

By Stuart Thompson • Sept. 4, 2025

Industry Voices | Five Things to Know About the FTC’s Safeguards Rule

Your customers want to be able to trust you with their data during a purchase. Breaking that trust by exposing their information to hackers could mean losing their business.

By Adam Crowell • Sept. 4, 2025

Tariffs Slow Buy-Sell Deals, But Demand Persists

While dealership transactions dipped in the first half of 2025, brokers say the market is in the seller’s territory.

By Jim Henry • Sept. 3, 2025

Amazon Pushes Deeper Into Auto Sales With Hyundai

Hyundai dealers may soon face competition to get into the invitation-only program.

By Alysha Webb • Sept. 2, 2025

Negative Reviews Put Dealer Incentives at Risk

Reputation experts say now is the time to extinguish practices that led to negative reviews this past summer.

By Steve Finlay • Aug. 28, 2025

AI Summit to Dealers: Embrace the Tech or Fall Behind

Speakers at the 2025 Automotive AI Summit urge dealers to move quickly on AI adoption, noting it’s reshaping everything from customer acquisition to service lane operations.

By Alysha Webb • Aug. 27, 2025

Dealership count holds steady, but big shifts loom

Urban Science reports 18,393 rooftops nationwide – just 19 more than year-end 2024 – though showroom mix could shift due to policy and pricing changes.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 26, 2025

Industry Voices | How to Turn Warranty Work Into a Profit Center

As warranty claims rise, so does OEM reimbursement; however, from an operational standpoint, dealerships must be ready to capture that revenue.

By Jim Roche • Aug. 25, 2025

Service Advisors Embrace Video Innovation

Skepticism shifts to success as the technology builds bridges with customers.

By Alysha Webb • Aug. 22, 2025

Industry Voices | Reclaim Market Share by Moving Ad Spend Upstream

Dealers sticking with local broadcast and OTT are seeing stronger direct leads that close faster and at better margins.

By Adam Armbruster • Aug. 21, 2025

Credit Unions, Independents Push High Loan-to-Value Ratios for Used Vehicles

TransUnion data shows independents and credit unions are outpacing banks and captives in approving high loan-to-value used-vehicle loans.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 20, 2025

Auto affordability still the top hurdle

With the average new-car loan rate hovering around 9.3%, affordability remains the greatest sales barrier. Dealers must navigate rising prices and widening credit gaps to keep sales strong.

By Alysha Webb • Aug. 19, 2025

Industry Voices | Adapting to the Post-Incentive Era of EVs

The One Big Beautiful Bill will deny consumers and fleets access to key credits for vehicles and infrastructure, but advanced manufacturers may still benefit through targeted investment and production incentives.

By Thomas Alongi • Aug. 18, 2025

EV Public Charging Woes Still Stall Dealer Sales

While home charging delivers strong satisfaction, public networks continue to frustrate EV buyers with cost, payment and reliability issues, reports J.D. Power.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 15, 2025

Jack Hollis Joins Accrual Equity to Drive Auto Retail Growth

Fresh off his January retirement from Toyota, Jack Hollis returns to the industry as a managing partner at Accrual Equity Partners.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 14, 2025

Invisible Powerhouse: Parts Departments Drive Dealer Profits

Parts departments may fly under the radar, but they fuel nearly every dealership function. Experts share strategies to boost visibility, efficiency and profitability.

By Steve Finlay • Aug. 13, 2025

Dealers Drive August Momentum with July’s Richest Incentives

Steady prices and pent-up demand set the stage for a strong Q3.

By Nancy Dunham • Aug. 12, 2025

Dealers Navigate Used-Car Squeeze

The Manheim Index hit 207.4 in July, with average wholesale values near $19K. As supply tightens – especially among late-model off-lease vehicles – dealers must choose between preserving margin or chasing volume.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 11, 2025

AI and Alignment: The New Formula for Fixed Ops Success

To succeed with AI in fixed ops, dealerships need emotionally intelligent leaders who embrace change.

By Alysha Webb • Aug. 8, 2025

Auto Loan Market Expands, But So Do Late Payments

Younger buyers lead in delinquencies as originations hit $188B in Q2, reports the New York Fed.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 7, 2025

American Honda’s New Insurance Arm Opens New F&I Opportunities for Dealers

Honda’s entry into the insurance space has dealers optimistic about new ways to enhance F&I profits and customer loyalty, even as program details are finalized.

By Alysha Webb • Aug. 6, 2025