Operations
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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 Paul Myles • Oct. 7, 2026 -
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 Jim Henry • Oct. 5, 2026 -
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 Eric Walz • Oct. 2, 2026 -
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 -
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 Eric Walz • Sept. 30, 2026 -
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 Paul Myles • Sept. 29, 2026 -
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 Alysha Webb • Sept. 28, 2026 -
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 -
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 Bengt Halvorson • Sept. 24, 2026 -
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 Paul Myles • Sept. 23, 2026 -
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 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 Paul Myles • Sept. 21, 2026 -
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 Bengt Halvorson • Sept. 21, 2026 -
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 -
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 Jim Henry • Sept. 18, 2026 -
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 Paul Myles • Sept. 18, 2026 -
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 Paul Myles • Sept. 17, 2026 -
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 -
Retrieved from Casa Auto Group on September 16, 2026
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 Alysha Webb • Sept. 16, 2026 -
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 Paul Myles • Sept. 15, 2026 -
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 -
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 Edwin Lopez • Sept. 14, 2026 -
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 Jim Henry • Sept. 11, 2026 -
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 -
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 Eric Walz • Sept. 9, 2026