Operations
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Courtesy of Volvo Cars
Polestar 3 global production moves to Volvo’s US plant
The automaker siblings will discontinue production of the EV model in China and make it only in North America.
By Paul Myles • April 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM temporarily lays off 1,300 workers at Factory Zero EV plant
The automaker previously cut around 1,200 jobs, effective Jan. 5, at the former Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant it converted to produce EVs.
By Eric Walz • March 31, 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 Hyundai Motor Co.
Hyundai plans to launch 36 ‘new and enhanced’ vehicles in North America through 2030
The plans are part of a $26 billion investment commitment in U.S. manufacturing the company announced last year.
By Eric Walz • March 27, 2026 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Rivian walks back 2027 profitability target
The EV maker no longer expects to be adjusted EBITDA positive in 2027 as it focuses on autonomous vehicle technology efforts, including a multiyear partnership with Uber.
By Grace Noto • March 26, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sony Honda Mobility
Honda Sony Mobility cancels planned EVs
The partners are reevaluating the future of the JV, which was set to launch the Afeela 1 sedan in California later this year.
By Eric Walz • March 25, 2026 -
Permission granted by Steve Finlay
ColumnDealers chafe as Scout Motors plans to sell cars factory-direct
Despite legal opposition, dealer-less sales are “100% of the plan,” says Scott Keogh, CEO of the VW Group’s spinoff automaker.
By Steve Finlay • March 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toyota
Toyota investing another $1B in its US manufacturing operations
It’s part of a $10 billion commitment over five years. About $800 million will go towards expanding EV and hybrid production in Kentucky.
By Bengt Halvorson • March 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
BlueOval SK delays layoffs at Kentucky battery plant
Ford and SK On had previously decided to dissolve their electric vehicle battery joint venture, which included a planned $11.4 billion investment by the two companies.
By Eric Walz • Updated March 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Renault Group
Renault to sell EVs priced to match hybrids by 2030
The automaker predicts its “futuREady” strategy will see production cost savings passed on to consumers.
By Paul Myles • March 20, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
GM CFO: Lower EV growth presents opportunity
The company is looking to get its EV cash headwind “behind us” by the end of the second quarter, CFO Paul Jacobson said last week.
By Grace Noto • March 19, 2026 -
Sara Samora/WardsAuto
Toyota suppliers seek tariff relief through USMCA review
The automaker’s executives said they want federal officials to keep the agreement trilateral, as the company has 14 manufacturing plants and a supply chain across North America.
By Sara Samora • March 19, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen de México
Mexico’s auto parts sector thinks it will withstand US trade policy instability
The industry hopes 2026 will see a return to growth, though upcoming trade talks will be crucial to resolve critical topics like tariffs and rules around China-based firms’ investments in the country.
By Elizabeth Machuca • March 19, 2026 -
Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
New-car affordability challenges may drive used-vehicle demand
Meanwhile, high auction prices push dealers to “self-source” used cars.
By Jim Henry • March 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
ColumnHow creating FordDirect helped avert a potential automaker-dealer showdown
Dealer veteran David Kain, the joint venture’s first employee, recounts how the partnership came about during the early stages of internet shopping.
By Steve Finlay • March 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co.
Honda limits tariff impact via logistics, procurement tweaks
The automaker is also tackling supply gaps, but warns China rare earth supplies are emerging as a new risk.
By Antone Gonsalves • March 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volvo Cars
Volvo ramps up EX60 production to meet demand
The automaker sees strong demand in Europe for its midsize electric SUV ahead of U.S. launch.
By Paul Myles • March 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM merging its CPO dealer sales program with CarBravo
The move will consolidate the automaker’s certified pre-owned vehicle sales under a single, nationwide omnichannel platform for car shoppers.
By Eric Walz • March 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Brightpick
NAPA expands use of warehouse robots
Following a pilot project last year, the auto parts retailer plans to roll out 100 robots from Brightpick at a new facility.
By Antone Gonsalves • March 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sonic Automotive Inc.
Sonic Automotive has big plans to revitalize used-car unit
Expecting a used-car market boom, executives outlined plans to set the EchoPark brand up for rapid growth through a $10 million-plus marketing campaign and new e-commerce app.
By Jim Henry • March 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Elektrobit
AI doubled auto industry cyberattacks: Upstream
The rise of malicious incidents last year reveals that the mobility industry’s early adoption of the technology has accelerated cybersecurity risks, a new report found.
By Paul Myles • March 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of The Wyler Collection
Ferrari stands out as ultra-luxury dealership acquisitions rise
Some dealers will work to acquire other exotics just to own a Ferrari franchise, experts say.
By Alysha Webb • March 2, 2026 -
Permission granted by Matt Bowers
Matt Bowers buys dealership from Asbury Automotive Group, expanding empire
Dealers are increasingly bullish on Stellantis’ brands, especially on the Ram side, said David Hacman, who advised Bowers on the acquisition.
By Alysha Webb • Feb. 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings
Aston Martin plans 20% cut in workforce as losses mount
The British automaker lists U.S. and China tariffs among the factors creating “unprecedented” uncertainties.
By Paul Myles • Feb. 26, 2026 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
7 reactions: Auto industry takes on Supreme Court tariff ruling
Despite the struck-down tariffs’ limited effects on auto imports, industry stakeholders used the moment to call for greater trade clarity, flexibility and a renegotiated USMCA.
By Bengt Halvorson • Feb. 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Stellantis names former GM exec to lead purchasing and supplier quality for North America
Marcelo Conti spent the past 11 years at General Motors, most recently as the automaker’s head of purchasing for interior, exterior and thermal products.
By Eric Walz • Feb. 19, 2026
