Operations
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Sean Gardner via Getty Images
At NADA Show 2026, dealers will seek out lessons in operational excellence
Auto retailers are convening in Las Vegas to talk business, but for many, improving fixed operations and falling margins remains top of mind.
By Jim Henry • Feb. 3, 2026 -
Getty Images
Group 1 Automotive’s record 2025 revenues driven by Fixed Ops, F&I
Fixed Ops improved performance last year reflected ongoing efforts to add and retain service technicians.
By Jim Henry • Feb. 2, 2026 -
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Provided by NPX Semiconductors
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Courtesy of Aumovio
Aumovio to cut 4,000 jobs as part of R&D spending rollback
The company, spun off from Tier 1 supplier Continental, said the layoffs are meant to bring R&D spending to below 10% of sales from 11.9% in Q3 2025.
By Paul Myles • Feb. 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
The top automotive industry trends to follow in 2026
With automakers navigating tariffs, a sea of regulatory changes, supply chain uncertainties and waning EV demand, we’ve rounded up articles that dive into the topics OEMs and dealers are watching.
By Eric Walz • Jan. 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Todd Blue
Todd Blue has big plans for Ferrari of Rancho Mirage
Now that he finally owns it, Blue told WardsAuto he hopes to put Ferrari of Rancho Mirage at the center of a luxury-auto ecosystem focused on customer experiences.
By Alysha Webb • Jan. 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sony Honda Mobility
Sony Honda Mobility partners aligned on EV vision
It’s taken some effort to merge cultures from to two since its launch in 2022, but Sony Honda Mobility of America’s CEO says it’s going better than expected.
By Dave Zoia • Jan. 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM’s Buick Envision production shifting from China to US in 2028
The onshoring of production is designed in part to mitigate tariffs that have driven up the price of the compact SUV and cut into sales.
By Eric Walz • Jan. 23, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
FordDirect names new chief operating officer
Tracy Noonan Fred will oversee teams dedicated to product development, dealer engagement, marketing, analytics and data strategy.
By Eric Walz • Jan. 20, 2026 -
Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Hyundai via Getty Images
Hyundai hires Tesla Autopilot pioneer for top driverless role
Minwoo Park will lead software-defined vehicle and autonomous driving efforts as head of Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced vehicle platform division and as CEO of 42dot.
By Paul Myles • Jan. 16, 2026 -
Getty Images
Dealership M&A headed for banner 2026
Transactions will rise as the valuation gap between buyers and sellers narrows, experts said.
By Alysha Webb • Jan. 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Rivian
Rivian hires chief customer officer ahead of R2 launch
Greg Revelle will oversee the EV maker’s go-to-market strategy, including leading sales, marketing and operations.
By Eric Walz • Jan. 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM expects a total charge of $7.1B in Q4 as it realigns its North America strategy
The automaker cited slowing demand and the termination of consumer tax incentives for its shift away from EVs.
By Eric Walz • Jan. 9, 2026 -
Getty Images
ColumnGM and Ford should reconsider parts consolidation
In 2015, the late FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne proposed sharing common parts across models to reduce costs. Now, standardization deserves a closer look, writes John McElroy.
By John McElroy • Jan. 9, 2026 -
Getty Images
Thomas Ingenlath returns to Volvo Cars as head designer
Ingenlath previously headed Volvo Cars’ Polestar subsidiary and was chief designer at Volvo parent Geely.
By Paul Myles • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Getty Images
Dealers’ most-read stories of 2025 reflect focus on innovation, affordability
WardsAuto's dealer readers engaged with stories on family ties and the technological innovations that helped manage a retail environment complicated by shifting regulations, non-traditional competitors and pressure to make vehicles affordable.
By Jim Irwin • Jan. 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
US manufacturing activity drops to lowest point of 2025: PMI
Weak demand and tariff effects are weighing on manufacturing companies nationwide, including those making transportation equipment.
By Nathan Owens • Jan. 7, 2026 -
Getty Images
CarMax promises price relief for used-car customers
The used-car retailer's CEO says lower prices and margins will be accompanied by an increased marketing spend.
By Jim Henry • Jan. 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of LG Energy Solution
Honda buying LG Energy Solution’s stake in Ohio EV battery plant building for $2.85B
The transaction includes the building and infrastructure assets related to the battery joint venture, but excludes the land and equipment.
By Eric Walz • Jan. 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Steel brings in $582M Posco investment for Louisiana mill
As global automakers in the U.S. seek domestic supply, steel manufacturers are moving in. The electric arc furnace project will supply steel plates for automakers such as Hyundai and Kia.
By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Permission granted by Tom Sparks/Sparks Media Group
New England dealership group enters California with BMW acquisition
The Premier Companies group has a growing love affair with the German brand.
By Alysha Webb • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford scraps EV plans, shifts to hybrids, EREVs and low-cost models
The automaker will focus its North American EV development on a new family of smaller, highly efficient and less expensive models.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Provided by Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan names VP to oversee US manufacturing overhaul
Victor Taylor will lead the automaker’s supply chain, production engineering and pilot operational changes across all U.S. plants.
By Antone Gonsalves • Dec. 15, 2025 -
Courtesy of BlueOval SK
Ford, SK On dissolving BlueOval SK battery joint venture
The automaker’s planned investment in the joint venture announced in 2021 was the largest-ever manufacturing commitment in company history, Ford said at the time.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 12, 2025 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group appoints new head of group and product strategy
Ludwig Fazel will report directly to Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume in the new role.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 8, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Tariffs swing volumes up and down for auto haulers
Carriers and brokers serving automakers face volatile demand, driving them to focus on what they can control.
By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 3, 2025
