Operations
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Courtesy of Ford
Pickups are behind a surge in high auto loan payments
Nearly a fifth of new-vehicle loans topped $1,000 in Q1 2026, hitting an all-time quarterly high, according to Experian.
By Jim Henry • May 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Nissan Motor
Nissan scraps UK’s $65M EV powertrain production plan
The reversal is part of the automaker's global turnaround strategy, which includes reduced EV investments.
By Paul Myles • May 29, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota
TrendlineAutomotive Manufacturing
Production strategies are changing rapidly as tariffs and shifts in consumer buying patterns affect the industry.
By WardsAuto staff -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Stellantis announces second JV with Dongfeng as Jeep, Peugeot go to China
Two major deals between the automakers aim to make the most of their existing vehicle manufacturing facilities.
By Paul Myles • May 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Vinfast.
North Carolina sues EV maker VinFast over unbuilt factory
The state is looking to acquire the megasite of a proposed automotive and battery facility and protect taxpayer money tied to the delayed $3 billion project.
By Nathan Owens • May 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volvo Cars
Volvo can sell vehicles in the US with China-developed tech
The U.S. Department of Commerce grants specific permission despite the automaker being majority owned by Geely Holding.
By Paul Myles • May 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Stellantis taps tech partners to create ‘digital twins’ of its assembly plants
Pilot deployments of the AI-powered technology are planned for select plants in North America beginning this year.
By Eric Walz • May 26, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Stellantis to invest $70B as part of new 5-year strategic plan
The automaker said the U.S. market leads its expectations for growth and profit powered by a slew of new partnership announcements.
By Paul Myles • May 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Alpine Automotive Group
A Colorado dealership group buys its first Chevrolet store
New co-owner Ivette Dominguez Drawe is counting on an inventory boost to kick-start sales.
By Alysha Webb • May 21, 2026 -
Courtesy of ZF
ColumnReman auto parts business just begging to be ‘discovered’
John McElroy argues that remanufactured parts should be on the minds of more dealerships — but a broader movement to utilize them needs to start with automakers.
By John McElroy • May 21, 2026 -
Courtesy of Slate Auto
Michigan awards $5M to Slate Auto to expand its headquarters
The EV startup plans a total capital investment of $10.4 million in the state, creating at least 392 new jobs across corporate, engineering and design over the next five years.
By Eric Walz • May 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
Toyota eyes $2B plant expansion in San Antonio
That automaker is assessing potential locations and seeking incentives for a new facility in Texas, called Project Orca, with construction set to begin this year.
By Sara Samora • May 18, 2026 -
Courtesy of Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru postpones in-house EV development after profits fall 90%
The automaker recorded $385 million in impairment losses and expenses related to EVs as it shifts its strategy towards ICE and hybrid vehicles.
By Eric Walz • May 18, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
JLR’s Q4 revenue improves as $2.3B in savings promised
Revenue in the final quarter of FY2026 was still down 11% YoY and by nearly 21% for the full-year, but the outlook is showing improvement.
By Paul Myles • May 18, 2026 -
Sponsored by C&R Software
Why most AI investments in auto finance aren’t delivering
When it comes to AI, point solutions tend to create more problems than they solve.
May 18, 2026 -
J.D. Pooley via Getty Images
Goodyear in talks to close North Carolina tire factory that employs 1,700
The tire giant is looking to restructure its manufacturing footprint as increased uncertainty from weak demand and raw material disruptions affect sales.
By Nathan Owens • May 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford launches ‘Ford Energy’ battery energy storage subsidiary
The subsidiary will manufacture battery energy storage systems for data centers, utilities and large industrial and commercial customers in the U.S.
By Eric Walz • May 12, 2026 -
JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
Lithia Motors reorganizes dealerships as part of productivity push
CEO Bryan DeBoer aims to centralize roles and combine others to remove layers, even potentially shifting service advisors to remote work.
By Jim Henry • May 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Renault
Renault denies collapse of expansion plans for Spanish plant
Despite rumors that the automaker is scrapping plans to bring three new models to its Palencia factory, talks with unions are ongoing.
By Paul Myles • May 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Stellantis, Leapmotor JV expands collaboration with first new EV
The two automakers hope to benefit from China’s low-cost production techniques and European dealership distribution networks.
By Paul Myles • May 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sonic Automotive
Sonic Automotive’s focus on used cars led to record profits in Q1
Higher revenue from used vehicles helped the company offset a 10% year-on-year drop in new-car sales.
By Jim Henry • May 7, 2026 -
Bill Pugliano / Stringer via Getty Images
General Motors sourcing 100% renewable energy for US operations
The company claims it is the first U.S. automaker to reach the milestone and said it matched 70% of its global electricity usage with renewables in 2025.
By Zoya Mirza • May 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Rivian
Rivian raising Georgia EV plant’s initial capacity by 50% to 300K vehicles a year
The company said it worked with the Department of Energy to update a loan of up to $4.5 billion to expand the facility and boost U.S. manufacturing jobs.
By Eric Walz • May 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Ram surges 20% YoY as North America drives Stellantis’ Q1 volumes
Despite continuing trading challenges, the company claimed the fastest-growing automaker title, CEO Antonio Filosa said.
By Paul Myles • May 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Maserati
Asbury Automotive sheds some dealerships as an investment in the future
A new dealer management system and funds freed through the sale of some stores will help the automotive retail giant “harvest” greater operating efficiencies.
By Jim Henry • May 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford
Deep DiveInside Ford’s efforts to build an affordable electric truck
WardsAuto's tour of the automaker's Long Beach facility found a skunkworks team that's focused on rapidly testing new ideas as it races to gain a competitive edge.
By Bengt Halvorson • May 5, 2026
