Operations


  • Nissan UK Leaf AD Test Mule
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nissan Motor UK
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nissan UK launches first ‘real-world’ driverless pilot

    Part of a government-funded research project that originated at the University of Warwick, it aims to deploy an autonomous mobility service across the U.K.

    By • Oct. 7, 2026
  • In an aerial view, vehicles are displayed for sale on a lot at a CarMax dealership on April 15, 2026 in Austin, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CarMax sales surge, buoyed by cost-cutting

    A combination of changes including sourcing more cars from customers, boosting captive financing, and revising warranty and service offerings, have helped the used-car retail giant cut costs.

    By • Oct. 5, 2026
  • Two executives pose with workers at BMW's new Plant Irlbach-Straßkirchen battery factory in Bavaria to commemorate the start of cell production.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of BMW Group
    Image attribution tooltip

    BMW lays out AI-based innovation roadmap to boost global competitiveness

    The automaker laid out a plan for profitability and long-term success at its Capital Market Day 2026 event this week in Munich, amid what it calls challenging market conditions.

    By • Oct. 2, 2026
  • Ford Michigan Van Dyke Powertrain Center Sterling Heights Michigan
    Image attribution tooltip

    Provided by Ford Motor Co. 

    Image attribution tooltip

    Ford, JPMorgan Chase and Michigan establish $3B manufacturing initiative

    The automaker and bank are partnering with the state to tackle challenges in scaling robotics and automation, critical minerals processing and other priority areas.

    By Nathan Owens • Sept. 30, 2026
  • A lineup of white Ford commercial trucks parked in front of a Ford Commercial Vehicle Center.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ford announces CPO program for commercial vehicles

    Ford Pro Advantage will offer customers affordable used trucks and vans through a national sales network of more than 700 commercial vehicle centers.

    By • Sept. 30, 2026
  • Lucid Gravity Grand Touring 2026
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lucid Motors
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lucid and Bolt partner for proposed European robotaxi service

    Mobility provider Bolt cited Lucid’s “world-class platform,” but the two companies will co-design the vehicle and software.

    By • Sept. 29, 2026
  • A man talks to someone holding a phone up horizontally, as his left hand reaches up to touch the floor of a vehicle, which is elevated several feet off the ground for service operations.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Benzel-Busch Mercedes-Benz
    Image attribution tooltip
    Profile

    A Mercedes-Benz dealership’s service director embraces AI to improve turn time

    Keeping the customer communication personal but using AI behind the scenes has made all the difference.

    By • Sept. 28, 2026
  • Chevrolet SUVs displayed on the sales lot at Stewart Chevrolet on January 06, 2026 in Colma, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    GM CFO expects improved 2027 cash flow after EV restructuring

    The executive also credits the company’s focus on its portfolio of vehicles for improved cash flow over the past decade.

    By Grace Noto • Sept. 28, 2026
  • Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid GR Sport
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Toyota
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Toyota’s US sales boss talks EVs, hybrid trucks and maintaining affordability

    With multiple EVs, Toyota has “gas-price-proofed our lineup,” its head of U.S. sales told WardsAuto.

    By • Sept. 24, 2026
  • Nissan Motor UK Production Sunderland
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nissan Motor UK
    Image attribution tooltip

    EU could lose billions by excluding UK auto trade

    Breaking deep historical auto industry production relations could risk a staggering sum of lost revenues and jobs for both economies, warns the SMMT.

    By • Sept. 23, 2026
  • Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoids conduct tasks at an automotive plant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Boston Dynamics
    Image attribution tooltip

    Boston Dynamics begins robotics testing at Hyundai, outlines expansion

    The company is training its Atlas humanoids to take over repetitive and heavy tasks at the automaker’s factories, with plans to begin component assembly by 2030.

    By Nathan Owens • Sept. 22, 2026
  • Volvo Cars CEO Klaus Zellmer
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Volvo Cars
    Image attribution tooltip

    Volvo Cars sets former Porsche North America leader as global CEO

    Klaus Zellmer will enter a lengthy transition period as current Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson eyes his second retirement.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz, at the company's CEO Investor Day
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Hyundai
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hyundai sees growth in hybrids, robotaxis and physical AI

    Hyundai Motor Group’s recent CEO Investor Day served to underscore how the company’s recent technology investments fit in with making more cars, more profitably.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • A Kettering University student, Ian Gibson
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kettering University
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Kettering University

    How a Kettering engineering student completed 9 GM rotations before graduation

    Nine GM rotations gave Ian Gibson ’26 a front-row seat to the future of automotive engineering.

    Sept. 21, 2026
  • A Volkswagen sign jets out into the blue sky as a dealership building is seen in the lower-left corner of the image.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Volkswagen dealers lead peers in service scheduling study

    Volvo, Acura, BMW, Mazda and Nissan were other high performers in Pied Piper’s annual study, which also found aftermarket shops outperform dealers in phone scheduling.

    By • Sept. 18, 2026
  • Volvo Cars EX60 BEV 2026
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Volvo Cars
    Image attribution tooltip

    Volvo aims to double profit margins with product blitz

    The automaker sees a stronger lineup with “regionally tailored electrified cars” and synergies with China’s Geely.

    By • Sept. 18, 2026
  • Nissan Kicks E-Power 2026
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nissan Motor Corp.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nissan, McLaren boost investment in UK’s auto industry

    The automakers committed to building additional models in the country: a new hybrid Nissan Kicks and McLaren’s upcoming performance SUV.

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • Kevin Warsh
    Image attribution tooltip
    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fed hikes main interest rate by quarter point, citing stubborn inflation

    The monetary tightening provoked criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on the Fed to cut the main interest rate regardless of price pressures.

    By Jim Tyson • Sept. 17, 2026
  • The exterior of the Casa Chevrolet GMC car dealership on a sunny day, featuring the main building with "Chevrolet," "GMC," and "Certified Service" signs alongside a roadside sign displaying the Casa, Chevrolet, and GMC logos.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Casa Auto Group on September 16, 2026
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casa Auto Group shares 3 AI success stories — and one observation

    Jarrod Kilway, the group’s vice president of digital operations, told WardsAuto he has found AI use cases for sales, marketing and fixed operations.

    By • Sept. 16, 2026
  • Ilika Solid State EV Battery Pack
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Ilika
    Image attribution tooltip

    Europe faces a critical point in solid-state battery development, exec says

    Ilika CEO Graeme Purdy walked WardsAuto through the challenge behind scaling battery production in the region — and why he believes success at it would create a competitive advantage for the industry.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • Electric vehicles parked outside a Tesla store with the named "Tesla" spelled out on the side of the building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Tesla
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tesla preps $1.4M Texas distribution center

    The automotive and technology manufacturer expects the 538,720-square-foot facility to be operational by the end of 2028, per a state filing.

    By Phil Neuffer • Sept. 15, 2026
  • Auto workers inspect and wipe a red car rolling off a production line at a factory.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Stellantis
    Image attribution tooltip

    Stellantis finds buyer for Brampton Assembly Plant

    The idled plant’s potential sale comes as the automaker works to renegotiate its labor contract with Unifor, which has now paused talks citing concerns for the facility’s future.

    By • Sept. 14, 2026
  • 2023 Volkswagen ID.4
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Volkswagen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Used vehicle price increases begin to slow as shoppers eye older cars

    EVs remain the outperformers though, even as a flood of them returns from lease, according to Manheim's latest used-vehicle value index.

    By • Sept. 11, 2026
  • The inside of a Hyundai dealership with cars parked along the right wall.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jeff Schear via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Hyundai is raising its local sourcing goal in North America

    The company plans to source 80% of parts for vehicle manufacturing in the region from local suppliers by 2030, President and CEO José Muñoz said. 

    By Phil Neuffer • Sept. 10, 2026
  • A white Ford Maverick Lobo pickup parked outside the Pierre Ford dealership in Seattle, Washington.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Affordability issues, sales outlook damp dealer optimism in Q3

    In Cox Automotive’s latest survey of sentiment, dealers cited affordability pressures, rising inflation, higher interest rates and economic uncertainty as key factors for what amounts to a decline.

    By • Sept. 9, 2026