Add insurance to vehicle affordability concerns

New tool gives buyers options, keeps deals alive amid rising rates.

By Steve Finlay • Sept. 22, 2025

New tech trips up buyers – dealers key to better first impressions

The 2025 J.D. Power APEAL Study shows owner satisfaction is at a five-year high, but tech struggles offer dealers a prime opportunity to boost loyalty.

By Nancy Dunham • Sept. 19, 2025

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

Dealer tool shifts one-time customers to repeat

VehicleLyfe’s automated platform generates quarterly customer updates on service, warranties and equity positions.

By Steve Finlay • Sept. 18, 2025

Prices Hold Steady as Used and EV Sales Surge

Tariffs rise, but August prices hold firm.

By Nancy Dunham • Sept. 16, 2025

Tariff storm brewing for 2026 auto market

Auto sales stay strong, but tariffs may drive prices higher next year.

By Jim Henry • Sept. 16, 2025

EV Lease Surge Builds Ahead of Tax Credit Deadline

Leasing for electric vehicles is climbing as dealers and lenders rush to clear inventory before the Sept. 30 EV tax-credit deadline.

By Jim Henry • Sept. 15, 2025

WardsAuto and Automotive Dive Combine: New Site and Newsletter Coming Soon

Starting in October, readers will be able to access both publications' work under a unified WardsAuto website and redesigned newsletters, as part of a larger combination.

By Edwin Lopez • Sept. 12, 2025

Industry Voices | Jobs for Auto Techs There for the Taking

The staggering levels of student loan debt typically spark suggestions that students should consider learning a trade. One trade often goes overlooked, despite a growing shortage: the auto technician.

By Bill Hanvey • Sept. 12, 2025

Studies, reports reveal persistent dealer pain points

J.D. Power finds wait times, as well as poor EV service, drag down scores. Regulators cite billions lost to hidden fees, while regional enforcement highlights problems from Florida to Ohio.

By Nancy Dunham • Sept. 10, 2025

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