Technology
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Courtesy of Asbury Automotive Group
Asbury Automotive’s big DMS switch hits the home stretch
The megadealer has converted 70% of its operations to a new, cloud-based system it hopes will access productivity and efficiency gains.
By Jim Henry • July 31, 2026 -
Retrieved from Jacob Cruz/4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office.
US Army awards prototype contracts to Ford, GM, BC Customs
The automakers are competing for a contract to produce over 600 Heavy Infantry Squad Vehicles for the military agency. The agreement also aligns with Ford and General Motors’ goal to grow in the defense sector.
By Sara Samora • July 30, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Kia Corporation
TrendlineArtificial Intelligence
Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.
By WardsAuto staff -
Courtesy of Audi
2027 Audi Q9 and SQ9 unveiled as brand’s biggest SUVs
The luxury SUV lineup arrives later this year and will take on the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
By Greg Kable • July 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen
Hybrid VW Tiguan US-bound amid EV reset
A hybrid version of the Tiguan is due to face off with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, although electrified versions of the Golf family aren’t set for the U.S.
By Greg Kable • July 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Tesla Inc.
Amid an affordability pinch, premium brands risk losing luster to tech
Car shoppers are reprioritizing expectations, and having advanced technology in their vehicles matters — especially for those under 45, a recent study finds. So what can legacy OEMs do?
By Bengt Halvorson • July 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford, Global Power Products debut home backup solution
More than 800 electric utilities have approved GPP’s GenerLink transfer switch, which provides backup power for outlets and hardwired appliances at significantly lower cost than a standby generator, Ford says.
By Brian Martucci • July 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford integrating Apple Maps into its Universal Electric Vehicle platform
The tech will be added to the infotainment systems of UEV platform vehicles in 2027. Apple Maps will also integrate with Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system.
By Eric Walz • July 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Honda
Honda confirms next-gen Ridgeline pickup
Set to arrive within two years, the third-generation Ridgeline will continue to be built in Alabama.
By Bengt Halvorson • July 23, 2026 -
Permission granted by Paul Myles
Xpeng will enter US auto market, when allowed
The China-based EV and tech start-up is expanding in Europe, but also is eyeing the potential of North America, according to its CEO.
By Paul Myles • July 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai’s new Driving Simulator can pack years of track testing into hours
The automaker can validate dozens of different vehicle configurations in simulation without having to build a single prototype.
By Eric Walz • July 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
JLR adds charging access and tools for customers in Europe
Two expanded commercial partnerships help the automaker improve EV and plug-in hybrid customer experiences.
By Paul Myles • July 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Here Technologies
Here Technologies: No such thing as ‘mapless’ autonomous driving
AI can help to drive the race towards self-driving cars, but high-definition maps will always be at the roots, says Here executive.
By Paul Myles • July 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Geely
Geely claims record-setting performance and efficiency with downsized EV power units
The parent of Volvo Cars and Polestar claims AI-assisted torque management and cooling system improvements.
By Bengt Halvorson • July 17, 2026 -
Courtesy of Lucid
Lucid makes sweeping leadership changes as sales falter
As the EV maker struggles to find anything close to the volume it previously projected for its lauded Gravity SUV, Lucid has replaced nearly its entire C-suite and seeks more accountability.
By Bengt Halvorson • July 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Bosch
$225M in federal funding set to aid production of SiC chips in US
The investment is part of a larger $2 billion commitment by Bosch to transform the company’s wafer fab facility in Roseville, California to produce the chips, which are in high demand.
By Eric Walz • July 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of General Motors
Ford, GM sign memory supply agreements with Micron
The deals will strengthen the automakers’ sources of supply for memory and storage for use in next-generation vehicles.
By Phil Neuffer • July 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volkswagen
Facing high costs, Volkswagen aims to halve model lineup
The global automaker seeks to cut equipment options by up to 75% and its production capacity to 9 million units.
By Greg Kable • July 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai adds connected garage tech to vehicle infotainment screens
The automaker is partnering with Chamberlain Group, a manufacturer of garage door openers and security systems, to add its “myQ” Connected Garage technology to some models.
By Eric Walz • July 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Nissan
Q&ANissan US product chief talks tariffs, hybrids and hands-off driving
Fewer sedans and the return of the body-on-frame Xterra are part of the sweeping changes in store for the automaker's U.S. lineup, according to Ponz Pandikuthira.
By Gary Witzenburg • July 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Polestar
Polestar 4 lineup adds upright SUV body style
European and Asian markets will get the Polestar 4 SUV, but U.S. customers lose out due to the EV brand’s exit from the market.
By Paul Myles • July 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Bentley Motors
Bentley confirms first fully electric model for September reveal
The EV, to be called Torcal, will join the British luxury brand’s Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga.
By Paul Myles • July 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Ford recalls 66K hybrid SUVs for missing pedestrian warning sounds
The recall expands an October 2025 recall for a software error that can prevent pedestrian warning sounds from playing at low speeds.
By Kalena Thomhave • July 9, 2026 -
Courtesy of ChargePoint
ChargePoint, Optimus Energy plan to expand EV charging network in Southeast US
Florida-based Optimus will act as owner-operator of the EV chargers, while ChargePoint will serve as the exclusive provider of hardware, software and services.
By Eric Walz • July 9, 2026 -
Permission granted by Yuriy Demidko
Fox Motors uses AI to tackle problems, capitalize on opportunities
The dealership group's former CIO, Yuriy Demidko, shared his favorite AI fixes with WardsAuto.
By Alysha Webb • July 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toyota
Toyota plans Tacoma production in Texas with $3.6B expansion
The automaker won’t yet say what portion of U.S.-bound Tacomas will shift from Mexico after the buildout, but the company plans to double its San Antonio factory footprint by 2030.
By Bengt Halvorson • July 7, 2026
