Operations


  • The Ram 2500 Black Express from the front, parked on a dirt lot.
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    Stellantis to invest $70B as part of new 5-year strategic plan

    Automaker said the U.S. market leads its expectations for growth and profit powered by a slew of new partnership announcements.

    By May 22, 2026
  • Mike Drawe and Ivette Dominguez Drawe stand with Curtis Harris of GM Financial, at Alpine Chevrolet.
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    Courtesy of Alpine Automotive Group
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    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 May 21, 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
  • A shiny remanufactured clutch housing in the forefront, a tarnished used one in the background
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    Courtesy of ZF
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    Column

    Reman 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
  • A gray Slate Auto electric truck parked outdoors in front of an industrial building with metal siding.
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    Courtesy of Slate Auto
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    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 May 20, 2026
  • A reddish-orange SUV on a production line in a factory.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
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    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
  • A black 2027 Subaru Getaway electric SUV parked outdoors with an orange sky in the background.
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    Courtesy of Subaru of America, Inc.
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    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 May 18, 2026
  • Range Rover SV Ultra Exterior 2027
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    Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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    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 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
  • The Goodyear Trademark sits on top of the Goodyear Hall building across from the company's corporate headquarters in Akron, Ohio.
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    J.D. Pooley via Getty Images
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    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
  • An aerial view of the Ford Energy battery plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    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 May 12, 2026
  • Lithia Motors headquarters Q3 2025
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    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 May 12, 2026
  • Renault Austral Production Palencia Spain
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    Courtesy of Renault
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    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 May 12, 2026
  • Vauxhall C-SUV EV concept
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    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 May 11, 2026
  • A photo of EchoPark's logo in Thornton, Colorado, near Denver.
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    Courtesy of Sonic Automotive
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    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 May 7, 2026
  • an exterior shot of GM headquarters
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    Bill Pugliano / Stringer via Getty Images
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    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
  • Assembly line workers installing parts on Rivian vehicles inside the company's factory in Normal Illinois.
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    Courtesy of Rivian
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    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 May 6, 2026
  • The 2026 Ram 1500 REV Tungsten parked in front of concrete wall,
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    Courtesy of Stellantis
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    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 May 5, 2026
  • Maserati models lined up together in celebration of the brand's 110th birthday
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    Courtesy of Maserati
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    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 May 5, 2026
  • Ford's Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, California
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    Courtesy of Ford
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    Deep Dive

    Inside 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 May 5, 2026
  • 2026 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM’s US manufacturing investments surpass $6B in one year

    The company’s latest commitments totaling $830 million will support SUV and truck production at major facilities in Michigan and Ohio.

    By Nathan Owens • May 4, 2026
  • Two vehicles are parked side by side while a lineup of Ford trucks is parked in the background.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Ford expects $1.3B tariff refund, but supply chain pressure remains

    The automaker is still prepping for a $1 billion hit from tariffs in 2026 while projecting sizable commodity headwinds.

    By Phil Neuffer • May 4, 2026
  • A red, 2026 Nissan Rogue plug-in hybrid SUV parked outdoors on a sunny day.
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    Courtesy of Nissan North America
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    Nissan cancels 2 electric SUVs planned for the US market

    The automaker said the decision would “better align with market conditions, customer demand and its updated strategic direction.”

    By May 1, 2026
  • Diehl Toyota in Wooster, Ohio.
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    Permission granted by Diehl Toyota
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    Diehl Automotive Group adds Toyota, VW dealerships amid buying spree

    CEO Corina Diehl said a refined corporate structure has helped accelerate its M&A process and identify unique opportunities like a collision center addition.

    By Updated May 5, 2026
  • 2026 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM bets on trucks and keeps writing down EVs, amid war and trade unease

    The automaker sees full-size pickups, SUVs and a diversified portfolio as key to maintaining margins in 2026, despite potential challenges.

    By May 1, 2026
  • A blue 2025 Ford Bronco SUV driving over rocky terrain.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Higher-margin trucks, SUVs boost Ford’s revenue in Q1

    Combined sales of the Bronco, Explorer and Expedition rose 17.9% year over year, which was the best first-quarter start for these models since 2002.

    By April 30, 2026