Most dealers are focused on used-vehicle trades, digital retailing, and AI. But reconditioning (what happens in between acquisition and front line) is where significant profit still slips through the cracks. It’s common to see dealerships relying on spreadsheets, phone calls, and loose estimates to manage this process. But that outdated approach slows the process, misprices […] [Read More]

The automotive industry is no stranger to change, from evolving consumer preferences to technological advancements. However, a less predictable, yet equally impactful force is the ever-shifting landscape of tax legislation. The recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, represents a significant overhaul of federal tax policy. While designed to […] [Read More]

August: the month when summer begins to wind down and school begins. Along with afterschool activities, football practices, etc. And maybe a last-minute family vacation. So that might lead to higher demand (and thus, prices), for minivans and vans, right? But oddly enough, used prices for these vehicles fell $680 month-over-month in August, according to […] [Read More]

While overall dealership sales sagged in the first half of 2025, electric vehicles continued to gain momentum, according to the latest report from Urban Science. The automotive consulting and technology firm’s 2025 Mid-Year Automotive Franchise Activity Report showed dealerships on pace to sell an average of 825 units for the full year based on data […] [Read More]

Turns out car shoppers can get satisfaction. Cox Automotive’s latest report, The 4 Key Drivers of Car Shopping Satisfaction, showed positivity about the car-buying experience has grown over the past decade. The survey of 740 new-vehicle buyers and 350 used-vehicle buyers who purchased from a franchise dealership during the previous 12 months, conducted in January, […] [Read More]

Automotive was well represented on the 2025 Inc. 5000, which ranks companies according to percentage revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. “Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company’s tenacity and clarity of vision,” Inc. editor in chief Mike Hofman said in a […] [Read More]

Artificial intelligence is creeping into vehicles, and according to J.D. Power’s latest study, it’s helping drive customer satisfaction. The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study, in its 10th year, has added a smart vehicle category to evaluate seven AI-based technologies designed to make driving easier and more comfortable. The findings showed several of […] [Read More]

Automotive dealerships invest heavily in acquiring new customers, but a significant challenge lies in retaining them beyond the initial vehicle purchase. Many customers, often dubbed “lost souls,” never return for service or their next vehicle, representing a massive untapped revenue stream which is particularly needed given the impact of tariffs expected later this. In today’s […] [Read More]

Mandy Deveau is marketing manager at DriveHRIS, where she leads dealer communication and engagement. In June, she joined Canada’s Used Car Week Live Stage, presented by SYCN Auto Logistics, to talk about “How Women in Automotive Can Lead with Confidence.” Listen to her conversation with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Joe Overby in the window […] [Read More]

Used-car prices are at near-record levels. But those high-priced vehicles are still the biggest bargains on the market. Edmunds’ Q2 2025 Used Vehicle Report found the average transaction price of 3-year-old used vehicles in the second quarter rose 5.2% year-over-year to $31,216, just $412 short of the all-time high of $31,628, set in Q2 2022. […] [Read More]