Operations
-
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 -
Explore the Trendlineâž”
Provided by NPX Semiconductors
-
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 -
Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
JLR clears distinct powertrain paths for Jaguar, Land Rover despite financial losses
The decision to sell only battery-electric Jaguars means the automaker will have to decide whether to compete as a small-volume, high-end brand — or target volume in the long-run, according to one analyst.
By Paul Myles • Feb. 19, 2026 -
Retrieved from BMW on February 17, 2026
Penske Automotive saw premium luxury sales miss targets in Q4 2025
The dealership group says the result was the product of tariffs, stalled EV sales in the U.S. and weakness in the U.K. market.
By Jim Henry • Feb. 17, 2026 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Tariffs, supplier fire continue to batter Ford
Confusion over the start date for auto part levy offsets caused the automaker to incur higher costs than it originally expected.
By Phil Neuffer • Feb. 13, 2026 -
Getty Images
Asbury Automotive posts record revenues despite new DMS, M&A costs
CEO David Hult said 2025 saw a lot of distractions, but nonetheless, the group was able to record an $18 billion revenue year.
By Jim Henry • Feb. 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of Volvo Cars
Volvo blames US tariffs, exchange rates for 2025 profit slump
The automaker saw operating income fall by over 40% in both the fourth quarter and full year, but expects an electrified product pipeline will help it return to growth in 2026.
By Paul Myles • Feb. 9, 2026 -
Permission granted by U.S. Marine
Mitsubishi dealership acquisition heralds birth of new auto group with used-car focus
Consultant Jen Morley told WardsAuto the owner’s emphasis on used-vehicle sales tracks with strategies used by other Nissan and Mitsubishi dealers.
By Alysha Webb • Feb. 5, 2026 -
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 -
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
