Owning and operating an automotive dealership, or group, is a demanding yet rewarding business. However, one of the most critical and often neglected aspects of owning a dealership is succession planning. While many dealers focus on day-to-day operations, few take the necessary steps to ensure long-term success through structured, transitional strategies. Succession planning isn’t just […] [Read More]

Retailing used electric vehicles should be plug-and-play easy for dealers, right? Especially since the latest research from iSeeCars shows used EV prices fell 15.1% over the past year, perhaps making those vehicles some of the most appealing units in your inventory. Well, Cox Automotive’s Q1 2025 Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) indicated that dealerships aren’t necessarily […] [Read More]

Lithia and Driveway, the most active dealership group in the buy-sell market, is at it again — this time as a seller. Lithia has sold three dealerships in West Virginia to Atlantic Coast Automotive Group, a move broker Dave Cantin Group said was “a key strategic divestiture” for the giant group, which operates some 340 […] [Read More]

In an era of “go big or go home,” CDK is going small. The auto industry’s largest dealership software provider, used by major dealership groups throughout North America, has launched a system for the little guys — the CDK Fundamentals Suite, a scalable core business system designed for one- to two-rooftop franchise dealerships and independent […] [Read More]

While certified pre-owned sales ticked up only marginally, Cox Automotive spotted “the largest jump seen in recent years,” when analysts combed over retail used-vehicle sales information for February. And the estimated sales lift might continue to help dealer sentiment that Cox Automotive said already was improving. According to an analysis of Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live […] [Read More]

The auto dealership buy-sell market continues to soar at record pace. Kerrigan Advisors’ 2024 Blue Sky Report showed 2024 was the busiest year ever, with 438 completed dealership transactions, up 10% from 2023’s record total of 397. Those transactions represented 697 franchises sold, the second-most ever and a 2.5% jump from 2023, an increase the […] [Read More]

An Alabama dealership has become a star when it comes to raising funds for charity. Howard Bentley Buick GMC was presented with the Star Award for the most improved 2024-2025 workforce campaign by the United Way of Marshall County, for raising funds for the local community. The dealership credited the leadership and dedication of its […] [Read More]

CarData and Velocity Automotive Marketing are expanding their partnership into Southern California with the acquisition of Tristar Digital Services. CarData, a provider of vehicle inventory photography, said the strategic acquisition strengthens its reach and “enhances its ability to deliver high-quality automotive photography and digital merchandising solutions to dealerships throughout the region.” “Our mission has always […] [Read More]

Automotive Ventures general partner Steve Greenfield works with a wide array of investors and start-up companies. Greenfield can now add Assurant Ventures to his list of industry collaborations. The venture capital investment arm of Assurant on Wednesday announced an investment in Automotive Ventures’ Mobility Fund II. The fund focuses on identifying and supporting innovative early-stage […] [Read More]

Car-shopping marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com honored more than 1,000 dealers throughout North America with its annual Dealer of the Year Awards. The company said the winners were selected based on more than 1.3 million online consumer reviews submitted in 2024 according to drivers of repeat and referral business, including average star rating, total […] [Read More]