Dealers: Page 7
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Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial 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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Sponsored by Xtime by Cox Automotive
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Column
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opinion
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opinion
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Podcast
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
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 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Prices Flat, Sales Slow
Dealers can expect tighter margins as summer unfolds, report Kelley Blue Book analysts.
By Nancy Dunham • June 10, 2025 -
Courtesy of WardsAuto
Opinion
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
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