Dealers

Adapting AI to auto dealership operations is a work in progress

Ohio dealer Kyle Pisani uses artificial intelligence to maximize sales, fine-tune operations and measure performance.

By Alysha Webb • June 15, 2026

Mitsubishi reveals Eclipse Sportback EV based on the Nissan Leaf

A fully electric model under the Eclipse nameplate will be the next to arrive in a series of steps toward the brand’s U.S. renewal and sales growth.

By Bengt Halvorson • June 12, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial 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

Retaining top talent adds dealership value after acquisitions

Having a stable management team can boost service volume and sales for a more profitable business, note buy-sell experts.

By Alysha Webb • June 11, 2026

Used EV values are rallying, and the timing is right for dealers

Gas prices are driving demand — and prices — for used EVs, just as dealers face an influx of them off-lease.

By Jim Henry • June 10, 2026

Ford, Bloomberg investing $5M to train technicians at Detroit schools

Ford says the U.S. auto industry will need more than 350,000 new technicians by 2029 to keep pace with rapid vehicle technological shifts, including 7,000 in Michigan.

By Eric Walz • June 9, 2026

Chevrolet dealer acquires bankrupt Cadillac store in New Jersey

New co-owner Andy Guelcher sees big mobile service opportunities.

By Alysha Webb • June 5, 2026

Big auto retailers’ growth strategy includes selling dealerships

Penske, Group 1 and Lithia have shown it isn't just acquisitions that drive shareholder performance.

By Jim Henry • June 4, 2026

Hyundai is helping set dealers up for mobile service

The automaker sees mobile service vans as a way of extending the dealership experience — and potentially expanding service capacity.

By Bengt Halvorson • June 3, 2026

Scaling up: What dealers should know about Stellantis’ big product revamp

The automaker’s U.S. investment focuses on Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep, adding seven more models under $39,000 by 2030, including smaller Ram trucks and new compact Chrysler and Dodge SUVs.

By Bengt Halvorson • June 1, 2026

Pickups are behind a surge in high auto loan payments

Nearly a fifth of new-vehicle loans topped $1,000 in Q1 2026, hitting an all-time quarterly high, according to Experian.

By Jim Henry • May 29, 2026

Brandon Steven Motors gains Maryland might with 12-dealership deal

With multiple Ford and Chevy stores only part of it, the nearly $500,000 deal achieves what was described as "a lock on all the domestic business in southern Maryland."

By Alysha Webb • May 28, 2026

Group 1 Automotive trims 700 jobs in Q1 amid uncertain market

The headcount reduction and other cuts could help slash annual expenses for the Houston-based megadealer by about $50 million.

By Jim Henry • May 22, 2026

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 Alysha Webb • May 21, 2026

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

For dealers and automakers alike, good service is good business

Automakers aren’t just interested in building and selling vehicles, they also pay keen attention to how dealers service them. Here’s why.

By Steve Finlay • May 19, 2026

Auto loan delinquency rates increased more slowly in Q1

New York Fed researchers are closely watching the percentage of loans that transition into delinquency in a given quarter in order to measure the health of the auto finance market.

By Jim Henry • May 14, 2026

UK sales surge 24% in April amid challenging environment

New-car registrations bounced back from a year ago, but questions of sustainability and meeting mandated EV targets persist.

By Paul Myles • May 13, 2026

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 Jim Henry • May 12, 2026

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 Jim Henry • May 7, 2026

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 Jim Henry • May 5, 2026

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 Alysha Webb • Updated May 5, 2026

A single-point dealership sells to a larger auto group to remain competitive

Derek Sylvester, former owner of the Chevy store, will continue working there along with his two daughters and nephew.

By Alysha Webb • April 30, 2026

2027 Infiniti QX65 review: Luxury fastback SUV makes a smooth statement

The QX65 channels FX design flair and delivers refinement and comfort for the road, not necessarily the trail.

By Eric Walz • April 29, 2026

JLR recalls more than 170,000 US mild hybrids over power loss

A remedy for the issue that could lead to DC-DC converter failure is "currently under development," according to a JLR letter filed with NHTSA.

By Paul Myles • April 27, 2026

Fixed Ops, F&I carry the load for dealerships in Q1

Tariffs imposed a year ago temporarily restored some of the pricing power dealers had lost because of higher new-car inventories, a Presidio-NCM study said.

By Jim Henry • April 27, 2026