Auto dealer news

Here are some recent news articles and updates from the auto dealer industry:

Industry Trends

• Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity, with many dealerships investing in EV charging infrastructure and training staff to sell and service EVs. (Source: Automotive News)
• The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards online car buying, with many dealerships adopting digital sales platforms and virtual test drives. (Source: Forbes)
• Autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality, with many dealerships preparing to sell and service self-driving cars. (Source: The Verge)

Dealership News

• CarMax, the used car retailer, has announced plans to expand its operations into new markets, including the Northeast and Midwest. (Source: Business Insider)
• Group 1 Automotive, a large dealership group, has reported a 10% increase in same-store sales for the first quarter of 2023. (Source: Automotive News)
• Sonic Automotive, another large dealership group, has announced plans to launch a new digital retailing platform to improve the car-buying experience. (Source: Automotive News)

Regulatory Updates

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued new guidelines for dealerships to comply with the Motor Vehicle Sales and Service Contract Rule, which aims to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices. (Source: FTC)
• The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has launched a new campaign to promote the importance of dealership certification and training for sales and service staff. (Source: NADA)
• The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed new regulations to reduce emissions from new vehicles, which could impact dealerships that sell non-compliant vehicles. (Source: CARB)

Technology and Innovation

• Dealerships are adopting new technologies, such as artificial intelligence-powered chatbots and virtual reality test drives, to improve the car-buying experience. (Source: Automotive News)
• Carvana, the online used car retailer, has launched a new platform that allows customers to purchase and finance vehicles entirely online. (Source: Carvana)
• Dealerships are also investing in data analytics and customer relationship management (CRM) software to improve sales and marketing efforts. (Source: Automotive News)

Awards and Recognition

• The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has announced its 2023 Dealer of the Year award winners, recognizing outstanding dealerships for their sales, service, and community involvement. (Source: NADA)
• The Automotive News PACE Awards have recognized innovative products and technologies in the auto industry, including those developed by dealerships and their suppliers. (Source: Automotive News)

I hope this provides a good overview of recent news and updates from the auto dealer industry!