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

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

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

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

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

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

Tariff Whiplash Hits Car Buyers: Dealers Can Be the Brake and the Beacon

By shifting from sales pitch to educator, dealers can build confidence and keep the conversation grounded – even as 2025 shapes up to be a wild ride.

By Steve Finlay • May 29, 2025

Integrated Tech Solutions Driving Dealership Efficiency

Leading platforms like Cars Commerce, Vincue’s Catalyst and CarNow are revolutionizing dealership operations.

By Alysha Webb • May 27, 2025

Want to Sell More Cars? Start by Answering Your Leads

Latest Pied Piper rankings reveal that quick, consistent digital follow-up is a top predictor of dealership sales success.

By Steven Finlay • May 27, 2025

Industry Voices | Is Your Dealership System Sabotaging Good Staff?

Before pointing fingers at frontline staff for compliance lapses or customer issues, take a hard look at your store's systems.

By Doug Fusco • May 22, 2025

Summer Markets: Uncertainty Ahead, but May Holds the Key

Luxury, SUVs lead year-over-year gains while EV prices up but slip month-to-month.

By Nancy Dunham • May 21, 2025

Industry Voices | The Five Pillars of OEM Digital Retailing Success

Why today’s fragmented systems are falling short – and how automakers can build a platform for long-term transformation.

By George Kang and Hardik Patel • May 20, 2025

Scammers Target Audi’s European Used-Car Markets

Premium German brand unearths widespread vehicle fraud attacks in Germany, Swiss and Austrian used-car markets.

By Paul Myles • May 20, 2025

Stellantis Scraps Rollout of Europe’s Dealer Agency Model

Protests from dealers arguing the restructuring hurt their bottom line force the automaker to change tack.

By Paul Myles • May 19, 2025

Stalled Recall Fixes = Missed Revenue?

As OEMs and regulators push for better outreach, dealerships can capitalize on recall work as free, paid-for service – and a gateway to long-term customer retention and additional repairs.

By Steven Finlay • May 16, 2025

Prime Time: Subprime Shrinks in Q1 Auto Lending

The latest New York Fed data shows Q1 auto loans held steady at $165.6B – but growth came only from borrowers with 760+ credit scores.

By Jim Henry • May 15, 2025

Tariffs, Incentive Cuts and Luxury Imports Push April New-Vehicle Prices Higher

Dealers can capitalize before higher costs hit.

By Nancy Dunham • May 14, 2025

Lucid’s Growth Offers a Glimpse Into the Future of Retail

Lucid Studios delivers more than vehicles – it sells lifestyle and identity through minimalist, one-on-one showrooms and concierge-level online tools.

By Nancy Dunham • May 13, 2025

Industry Voices | Tariffs Raise Prices, But Savvy Car Buyers Still Have the Wheel

Tariffs have already pushed prices higher across segments, but falling interest rates, dealer incentives and evolving buying strategies are giving consumers a fighting chance to stay in the driver’s seat.

By Aaron Bickart • May 12, 2025

Stay Ahead of the Tariff Curve With Smart Messaging and AI Tools

DAS Technology urges dealers to create a game plan now, before the market shifts again.

By Alysha Webb • May 8, 2025

Word-of-Mouth Fuels EV Momentum, But Dealers Still Face Bumps

CDK survey finds 82% of EV owners plan to buy another.

By Steven Finlay • May 7, 2025

Industry Voices | Shortchanged: Are OEMs Undercutting Dealer Warranty Rates?

Warranty underpayments could cost your store six figures a year. Experts say: Fight back.

By Jim Leman • May 6, 2025

Fixed Ops Momentum: Older Cars, Higher Margins and Growing Volume

Public dealership groups report rising service revenues and increased visits from post-warranty vehicles – especially those with 70,000+ miles – thanks to improved scheduling, technician staffing, and complex repairs.

By Jim Henry • May 5, 2025