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

Industry Voices | Auto Marketing AI: Data Quality is Key

Automakers who treat AI readiness as a strategic mandate—not just a technical hurdle—will capture long-term value.

By Ellen Gates • Aug. 5, 2025

Fixed Ops Fuels Profits as Big 6 Dealers Post Record Q2

The six largest publicly traded new-car retailers saw record second-quarter results in fixed operations, with Lithia Motors alone reporting nearly $1 billion in aftersales revenue.

By Jim Henry • Aug. 4, 2025

Industry Voices | Tech Overload Is Blocking Profits in Your Service Lane

Disjointed tools force advisors into tedious admin work, stealing face time with customers. Here’s how to restore human connection and boost repair order values.

By Euwart Anderson • July 31, 2025

Used EVs, Not Tax Credits, May Hold Key to Electric Growth

Dealers brace for tariff impact, margin pressure and EV realignment as market plateaus near 15.6 million SAAR.

By Nancy Dunham • July 30, 2025

Megadealers Boost Tech Headcount to Meet Growing Demand

Franchised dealers are reporting big second-quarter gains in service and warranty work, with Sonic, Group 1 and AutoNation all seeing double-digit fixed ops revenue growth.

By Jim Henry • July 29, 2025

Industry Voices | Think Outside Your (Desking) Box

Rethinking dealership desking strategies in a changing marketplace.

By Damon Walker and John Stephens • July 29, 2025

Fraudster Vanishes With Corvette; Capital One Strikes Back

Capital One launches ProtectID, a real-time fraud detection tool to help dealers flag synthetic identities, credit washing and income misrepresentation before vehicles leave the lot.

By Steve Finlay • July 28, 2025

High Credit Scores In, High Inventories Out

Ally and GM Financial are growing loan originations without loosening lending standards.

By Jim Henry • July 25, 2025

OBBBA Supercharges Facility Deductions for Dealers

Bonus depreciation is back at 100%. Dealers can fully deduct qualified asset purchases – including floorplan interest and loaner fleets – acquired after Jan. 20, 2025.

By Alysha Webb • July 24, 2025

Younger Buyers Struggle With Delinquencies, But Lenders Still Say Yes

Millennials now carry the highest average new auto loan balance – over $30,000 – while Gen Z shows the fastest growth in loan activity, despite higher delinquency rates.

By Alysha Webb • July 23, 2025

Gen Z, Millennials want it all – insurance and F&I add-ons

Polly reports 84% of Gen Z and millennial buyers want the option to buy insurance during a vehicle sale – and many say they'd also buy more F&I products if they save on insurance.

By Alysha Webb • July 22, 2025

Better Call Handling Boosts Service Loyalty, Study Finds

Despite OEMs' focus on online scheduling, two-thirds of service appointments still happen by phone.

By Steve Finlay • July 21, 2025

Early July Shows Price Softness – Except for EVs and Trucks

Trucks edge up, EVs lead year-over-year gains despite market-wide dip.

By Nancy Dunham • July 18, 2025

Summer Squeeze: Margins Tighten as Prices Diverge

Dealers face what Cox Automotive’s Erin Keating calls “the big squeeze,” as rising MSRPs clash with flat consumer demand and growing EV uncertainty.

By Nancy Dunham • July 17, 2025

Industry Voices | Smarter Financing: Why Dealers Must Rethink How They Choose the Right Lenders

As lender programs grow more complex, relying on gut instinct or outdated methods in the F&I office can slash margins and sink deals.

By Phillip Battista • July 16, 2025

Manheim Detroit Showcases Scale Amid Industry Uncertainty

Manheim is scaling EV capabilities as it positions itself as the industry’s go-to EV resale partner.

By Nancy Dunham • July 15, 2025

New AI vehicle inspection tool arrives in US

U.S. insurers and dealers now have access to advanced AI tools that detect hidden vehicle damage. The tools are already popular in Europe and Israel.

By Alysha Webb • July 14, 2025

Dealers Target Luxury Stores With Strong Fixed Ops

Major dealership groups are prioritizing acquisitions of luxury-brand stores with robust fixed operations, as they seek to offset softening new-car margins and demand.

By Jim Henry • July 11, 2025

Report: ID. Buzz Exports to U.S. Halted; VW of America Issues Denial

A symbol of VW’s electric ambitions is caught in a transatlantic trade crossfire.

By Greg Kable • July 10, 2025

Mixed Blessings: Dealers Weigh Gains, Losses in Sweeping New Laws

While many dealers and analysts welcome provisions like no tax on tips and auto loan interest deductions, others warn the end of EV credits and tighter battery sourcing rules could leave dealers with unsellable inventory and foreign automakers at a disadvantage.

July 8, 2025

Financing Shifts: Banks Lead Used, Captives Lose New-Car Ground

Banks edged out credit unions in used-vehicle financing and gained in the new-car segment in Q1 2025, while captives saw declines despite remaining dominant in new-vehicle deals.

By Nancy Dunham • July 8, 2025

Elevating the Service Experience with an Enhanced Service Platform

Xtime, the industry’s most comprehensive service platform, brings it all together to elevate the customer experience and drive increased profitability while navigating new consumer trends.

July 7, 2025

Cox Automotive’s President Steve Rowley: Tariffs, Tech and Resilience Define Today’s Market

Industry insiders say despite pressures like tariffs and rising costs, the auto industry continues to show remarkable resiliency.

By Steve Finlay • July 7, 2025

Is Gut Instinct Dead in Auto Retail? Not So Fast

Despite the rise of automated systems, many dealers and executives still trust a used-car manager’s judgment. 

By Steve Finlay • July 2, 2025