Operations

  • An exterior view of the LG Energy Solution battery manufacturing plant in Lansing, Michigan showing the company's corporate logo.
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    Courtesy of LG Energy Solution
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    LG Energy Solution starts production at new Michigan battery factory

    The 35-GWh plant in Lansing will manufacture large-format batteries for energy storage and for electric vehicles, including the Toyota Highlander EV.

    By • Aug. 21, 2026
  • Bentley Designer T.Jon Mayer
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    Courtesy of Bentley Motors
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    Bentley appoints UX chief as new exterior design lead

    T.Jon Mayer is taking on exterior design responsibilities as Domen Rucigaj heads off to a new role in parent company Volkswagen Group.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • Robots in action on the new line at Toyota Kentucky as future Camrys seamlessly roll through the production process. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of Toyota
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    Trendline

    Automotive Manufacturing

    Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.

    By WardsAuto staff
  • Sunny Rahore
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    Courtesy of Sunny Rathore
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    A first-time owner partners with his employer to open a Nissan dealership

    The opportunity appeared when Group 1 unexpectedly closed one of its Austin stores.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • A fifth-generation silver Jeep Cherokee SUV on the inspection line at Stellantis' Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois.
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    Stellantis confirms next-gen Jeep Cherokee will be built at Belvidere plant

    The forthcoming SUV will be the first model for the U.S. built on the automaker's new STLA One global vehicle platform.

    By • Aug. 18, 2026
  • Range Rover Sport Electric Prototype Debuts Goodwood Festival 2026
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    Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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    JLR reports 9.6% revenue slide in Q1 of FY2027

    The automaker pointed to geopolitical, inflationary and regulatory challenges, along with a fire at a supplier’s factory, for the dip in sales during the quarter ending June 30.

    By • Aug. 18, 2026
  • Vehicle in Carvana car vending machine
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    Getty Images
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    Carvana flourishes as used-car inventory grows

    The second quarter saw Carvana set all-time records for revenue, net income and retail units sold.

    By • Aug. 17, 2026
  • A picture of the new EVgo flagship charging station in Warren, Michigan, branded with the corporate logos of GM Energy, EVgo and Meijer.
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    Courtesy of EVgo Inc.
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    EVgo opens flagship EV charging station near GM’s Michigan tech center

    EVgo plans to build additional flagship stations in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan and Texas.

    By • Aug. 17, 2026
  • A red 2024 Lincoln Nautilus SUV driving on a road with a body of water in the background.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford plans to phase out China-built Lincoln models for the US

    Lincoln vehicles imported from China are currently subject to U.S. tariff rate of 52.5%, which significantly reduces the company’s profit margins. 

    By • Aug. 13, 2026
  • An aerial photo of the LaFontaine Buick GMC Highland dealership in Highland, Michigan.
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    Permission granted by LaFontaine Automotive Group
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    Michigan-based LaFontaine Automotive Group joins Amazon Autos

    The partnership promises transparent pricing and a streamlined purchase process, and LaFontaine says it’s the next evolution in an omnichannel retail strategy.

    By • Aug. 11, 2026
  • Vehicle Purchase and Sale, Contract, Sales Representative in Car Showroom, Vehicle Loan , Business Woman
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    Burak Sür via Getty Images
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    Penske Automotive Group is riding a wave of lease returns

    The surge of lease returns is good business even if lessees get their next vehicle at a different dealership.

    By • Aug. 10, 2026
  • A Buick Electra E7 SUV driving on a mountain road with sunlight streaming through clouds in the background.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM and SAIC Motor extend China joint venture through 2047

    SAIC-GM will increase focus on the Buick and Cadillac brands and plan to launch at least 30 new energy vehicles in the China market by 2030.

    By • Aug. 10, 2026
  • An employee in an orange vest pulls a machine down to help assemble a vehicle, which is on the production line.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    Amid Unifor labor talks, experts ask if Detroit 3 investments in Canada are realistic

    Experts say the labor union is playing its hand well in asking for commitments, but wonder whether automakers will be able to honor them in this uncertain environment.

    By Keith Nuthall • Aug. 10, 2026
  • A light green 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid SUV driving on a dusty desert road.
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    Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co.
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    Honda’s Q1 operating profit surges over 117% year over year

    The automaker’s profits reached a record-high for a single quarter, with no EV-related losses incurred after a $1.7 billion write-off from last year.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A silver Lucid Gravity electric SUV parked in front of a cantilevered building with blue sky in the background.
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    Courtesy of Lucid Group, Inc.
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    Lucid details $1.4B ‘operational reset,’ delays midsize Cosmos

    The later market arrival of the midsize model and deliberate dialing-back of production of other models are part of an “operational reset” as Lucid looks to improve its customer experience.

    By • Aug. 5, 2026
  • A woman, dressed in black and red, looks to the left as she stands at a black-and-red podium while speaking.
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    Retrieved from Unifor on August 05, 2026
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    Unifor is playing ‘the long game’ in contract talks — and wants automakers to do the same

    In an exclusive interview with WardsAuto, Unifor National President Lana Payne shares her takeaways from recent negotiations with Ford — and what’s ahead.

    By Keith Nuthall • Aug. 5, 2026
  • Volvo EX60 2026
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    Courtesy of Volvo Cars
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    Volvo reports 4% YoY sales slide from May through July

    The automaker’s global sales during the three-month period were hit by market challenges in China as U.S. sales rebounded.

    By • Aug. 5, 2026
  • 2026 Toyota Camry SE AWD in Supersonic Red
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    Courtesy of Toyota
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    Toyota sees North American profitability, targets cost savings in hybrids

    The automaker anticipates a stronger mix of hybrids across most global regions equipped with even more cost-effective batteries.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Ram Fiat in Anchorage, Alaska
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    Courtesy of Lithia Motors
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    Despite record revenues, Lithia works behind the scenes on customer affordability

    The biggest U.S. megadealer group is adopting a new dealership management system and reconfiguring its organization.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • A 2026 Nissan Pathfinder SUV parked outdoors with a fence and building in the background.
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    Courtesy of Nissan North America
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    Nissan posts recovery in Q1, net revenue up $1.6B YoY

    The automaker returned to profitability following a net loss of $3.38 billion in FY2025 as it continues to execute its “Re:Nissan” recovery plan.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • A white Rivian R2 electric SUV with a black cargo carrier on the roof parked outdoors with trees in the background.
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    Courtesy of Rivian
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    Rivian narrows its losses in Q2 as consolidated revenue jumps 27% YoY

    Although the EV maker continues to reduce its losses, it has never turned a profit and executives expect sustained headwinds due to external cost pressures.

    By • July 31, 2026
  • Mary Barra, General Motors Chair and Chief Executive Officer pictured stand in front of a Cadillac Escalade SUV in a dealership service facility..
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    General Motors drives toward supply chain resiliency

    The automaker is upping its domestic production investments while securing memory supply to shield rising commodity and logistics costs.

    By Phil Neuffer • July 31, 2026
  • A employee polishes a red painted vehicle at GM's Wentzville Assembly plant in Missouri.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM confirms $157M investment in Wentzville Assembly plant

    The investment is focused on paint and modernization upgrades, including new processing equipment and an estimated 28,000-square-foot expansion.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept
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    Courtesy of Stellantis North America
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    Stellantis’ Q2 adjusted operating income triples YoY

    Net revenues are up 32% in North America and brisk vehicle sales are driving the automaker’s performance as its business strategy bears fruit.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • 2026 Ford Bronco Raptor, traversing a demanding off-road trail
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    Courtesy of Ford
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    Ford raises guidance for 2026 as F-Series production recovers

    High margin, off-road trims of trucks and SUVs helped buoy Ford to a strong showing in Q2 — even as the automaker contended with supplier issues and EV-related losses.

    By • July 29, 2026
  • Couple in car at dealership
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    Getty Images
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    The Niello Company uses AI to make its dealerships’ staff more effective

    While the California dealer group already puts AI to use in a range of tasks from compliance insights to crafting pay plans, its sales and finance director has suggestions for the future.

    By • July 29, 2026