Do EV Tax Credits Still Make Sense? Many Dealers Say It’s Time to Move On

Charging stations, grid capacity are among the true barriers to entry, dealers tell WardsAuto.

By Nancy Dunham • July 1, 2025

Cox Ups 2025 Sales Forecast Despite Tariff Turbulence

Cox economists expect a slower sales pace through late 2025, due to tariff-driven cost increases and near-record loan rates.

By Jim Henry • June 30, 2025

J.D. Power’s IQS Shows Continuing Customer Beefs Over Infotainment... and Cupholders?

The influential annual ranking puts Lexus as best overall brand and Nissan as best mass-market brand.

By David Kiley • June 27, 2025

Rates Hold Steady, But Dealer Pain Persists

With interest rates locked at 4.25%-4.50%, economists warn of slower growth, higher inflation and tightening credit. Retail profits are holding for now, but affordability challenges remain.

By Nancy Dunham • June 27, 2025

Used EVs Opportunity for Savvy, Committed Dealers

Demand for used EVs continues to climb, but only a handful of dealers are capitalizing on the trend.

By David Kiley • June 25, 2025

Industry Voices | Want Quality Referrals and Higher Closing Rates? Try This

Retail referral programs offer dealers exclusive access to high-intent buyers, built-in marketing support and simplified pricing structures – all while reducing sales friction and boosting customer loyalty.

By Honey Mae Kenworthy • June 25, 2025

Want to Win Over Gen Z? Think Used Cars, Service Deals and Smaller SUVs

New-car registrations among 18- to 34-year-olds have fallen below 10%, reports S&P Global Mobility. Dealers should shift focus from new-car sales to building long-term relationships.

By Alysha Webb • June 24, 2025

Industry Voices | Fraud Is Getting Smarter. Your Defense Strategy Should, Too.

It's time to move beyond consumer-first strategies and embrace AI-powered tools that can spot deepfakes, doctored documents and synthetic identities before they derail your deals.

By Tom Oscherwitz • June 23, 2025

Why One Dealer Broke Up With “Kyle,” the AI Assistant

A promising AI tool turned problematic fast, proving that dealers must vet vendors rigorously – because even smart tech can get dumb under pressure.

By Alysha Webb • June 20, 2025

Slowdown, Dead Ahead: Tariffs, Rates and Slow Sales Threaten Dealers

Cox Automotive warns that 2025 could be hit hard as Trump-era tariffs collide with dwindling pre-tariff inventory, elevated interest rates and shaky consumer confidence.

By Jim Henry • June 18, 2025

Tariff Tensions Make ‘American-Made’ More Than a Label

The 2025 Cars.com index gains urgency as tariffs push affordability out of reach – especially for dealers with lower-priced imports.

By Steve Finlay • June 17, 2025

Kiosk Tech + Mobile Service = New Revenue Stream for Dealers

LaFontaine VW, VW Group of America and Reynolds and Reynolds team up to offer mobile service and kiosk scheduling directly at a corporate office, redefining convenience for vehicle maintenance.

By Steve Finlay • June 16, 2025

WardsAuto Podcast: How AI is Getting Better Fixing Our Vehicles with Sonatus CMO John Heinlein

Artificial Intelligence is changing every facet of the auto industry. Vehicle repair is no different, and companies are vying for dealership business.

By Wards Staff • June 16, 2025

Selling Used EVs Not a Lost Cause

Ride-share drivers are snapping up used Teslas, and electrified CPO sales are surging.

By Alysha Webb • June 13, 2025

Captive Lenders Slide as F&I Shifts Toward Banks, Credit Unions, Reports Experian

For F&I managers, this shift presents a chance to strengthen ties with lenders outside the OEM umbrella – especially as incentive levels remain below pre-pandemic norms.

By Jim Henry • June 12, 2025

Prices Flat, Sales Slow

Dealers can expect tighter margins as summer unfolds, report  Kelley Blue Book analysts.

By Nancy Dunham • June 10, 2025

Industry Voices | Auto Shows Aren’t Dead — They’ve Just Moved Down the Funnel

Auto shows are shedding their glitzy, media-centric past and reclaiming their true purpose: driving mid- to lower-funnel engagement.

By Kevin Mazzucola • June 10, 2025

From Dashboard to Destination: Why Dealers Matter in the In-Car Tech Revolution

As vehicles evolve into mobile entertainment hubs, dealers must become trusted guides – helping shoppers unlock emotional, personalized, and safe tech experiences behind the wheel.

By Nancy Dunham • June 9, 2025

Brains Over Wrenches: Niello Builds Superstar Techs

At The Niello Co., technicians are taught that their most powerful tool isn’t in a toolbox – it’s their mind.

By Steve Finlay • June 6, 2025

EV Interest Plateaus in Canada as U.S. Sales Surge, Europe Turns to Hybrids

Canadian incentives pause stalls EV momentum, Tesla drops in shopper rankings, while U.S. and EU markets reveal diverging electrification strategies.

By Nancy Dunham • June 5, 2025

Floorplan Power Plays: What Smart Dealers Do Differently

Don’t let sloppy accounting or stale inventory sink your floorplan leverage.

By Alysha Webb • June 3, 2025

One Click Could Cost You Everything: Cyber Threats Inside and Out

Creating a strong cybersecurity culture – with training, access controls and leadership buy-in – is now critical to staying in business.

By Jim Henry • June 3, 2025

Industry Voices | Demystifying Biweekly Payments

With 60% of Americans paid biweekly, aligning auto loan schedules with income cycles improves budgeting and loyalty.

By Robert Steenbergh • June 2, 2025

European Hybrid Sales Surge as BEVs Remain Below Expectations

Hybrids are a bright spot in a flat sales market as ICE sales continue their slide in first four months of 2025.

By Paul Myles • May 30, 2025

Dealer Profits Remain Strong Amid Tariff Fallout

Despite flat total sales and economic uncertainty, data shows that retail demand is holding steady and dealership profits are climbing.

By Nancy Dunham • May 30, 2025