Latest News

Philip's custom Land Rover hearse gets called into duty
Posted on Sunday April 18, 2021

The Duke of Edinburgh began working with the automaker in 2003 to design his own hearse based on a Defender TD5 130 chassis cab.

Nissan's 600-hp hamburger helper
Posted on Sunday April 18, 2021

In Japan, toy versions the of storied sports car are now being marketed as freebies in McDonald's Happy Meals.

Dealer anniversaries
Posted on Sunday April 18, 2021

Dealers featured this week are Tom Jones, dealer principal of Jones Ford Wickenburg in Arizona; and Bryan Hardeman, dealer principal of First Texas Honda in Austin, Texas.

Mercedes bypasses crossover route, enters EVs sedan-first
Posted on Sunday April 18, 2021

The German luxury brand is taking a contrarian approach to the U.S. electric vehicle market: first a sedan, then crossovers later.

Right fit key to online F&I experience
Posted on Sunday April 18, 2021

Dealerships face the challenge of designing an online F&I experience that is simple and transparent and doesn't slow down the process of buying a vehicle.

Dealer News

Dealer Steve Kalafer, critic of stair-step incentives, dies at 71
Posted on Thursday April 22, 2021

Publicly, he railed against the "havoc" created by automakers' programs. Inside his dealerships, his motto was: "Be kind, be fair, work hard, earn money and do good."

Cheryl Miller resigns as CFO of JM Family after 3 months
Posted on Thursday April 22, 2021

The former AutoNation chief, who left the retailer last July after a medical leave, has stepped down from the company she rejoined in January. She'll consult for JM Family through 2021.

VW sets Taos pricing at $2,250 less than Tiguan
Posted on Wednesday April 21, 2021

The 2022 VW Taos goes on sale in June and will carry a base price of $24,190, including delivery.

MUSA Auto Finance rebrands under new leadership
Posted on Wednesday April 21, 2021

The Dallas new- and used-vehicle leasing company has changed its name to Drivrz Financial and replaced its top executive as it ramps up its used-car leasing business.

Auto booming at 3 major U.S. lenders
Posted on Wednesday April 21, 2021

Chase Auto, Wells Fargo Auto and Ally Financial all posted strong first-quarter earnings last week, and signaled high customer demand will carry into the second quarter.

Mobility Report

Two U.S. senators make new push to advance self-driving cars
Posted on Thursday April 22, 2021

Sens. Gary Peters and John Thune have circulated a draft amendment that would grant NHTSA the power to initially exempt 15,000 self-driving vehicles per manufacturer from safety standards written with human drivers in mind.

Canoo names new CEO, outlines push to make its own vehicles
Posted on Thursday April 22, 2021

Executive Chairman Tony Aquila, a former software CEO, will immediately take over as chief executive, replacing Ulrich Kranz, who co-founded the company and exits at the end of the month.

It's time to rethink EV range
Posted on Tuesday April 20, 2021

The industry's arms race to pack more range into EVs in order to appeal to consumers is a waste, and taking us in the wrong direction. Here's a solution.

Volvo will provide XC90s for Didi's self-driving test fleet
Posted on Monday April 19, 2021

Volvo will provide XC90s to the autonomous driving technology unit of China's top ride-hailing firm, Didi Chuxing, for its self-driving test fleet.

Staria people mover previews Hyundai's approach to new mobility era
Posted on Sunday April 18, 2021

The van captures the brand's strategy for repositioning itself in an era of ride-sharing, on-the-go workspaces, eco-delivery models and a whole new segment that the company calls purpose-built vehicles.

Used Car Market

CarLotz shares start trading after reverse merger
Posted on Friday January 22, 2021

The company began trading shares Friday under the "LOTZ" ticker symbol. CarLotz CEO Michael Bor said going public should help raise the online used-car retailer's profile and visibility.

Used-car consignment store CarLotz to go public via merger
Posted on Wednesday October 21, 2020

The deal would make CarLotz the third major U.S. online car seller to go public this year, following in the trails of Vroom and Shift Technologies as online vehicle sales boom during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cars.com looks to shed part of Chicago headquarters
Posted on Wednesday September 16, 2020

The move comes four months after the company announced a round of layoffs triggered by the COVID-19 crisis.

McLaren North America rebrands certified pre-owned program
Posted on Monday September 14, 2020

The British exotic brand, in the latest tweak to its North American retail operations, is retiring McLaren Qualified after seven years.

Intent to buy used stabilizes while new-car intent weakens, study finds
Posted on Wednesday August 05, 2020

Between June and July, new-vehicle purchase intent in the U.S. declined 4 percent while used-vehicle intent rose 2 percent, according to a survey by McKinsey & Co. on how consumers are responding to COVID-19.