Category: Automotive News

Toyota predicts $50,000-plus average new-car price this year

By on October 12, 2025

Top executives at Toyota’s North American operations anticipate new-vehicle average transaction prices will break the $50,000 barrier and continue to rise, that demand will outstrip supply again this year even as the supply chain recovers and that there now may be as many as 6 million potential new-vehicle buyers sidelined by inventory and pricing. Speaking to reporters Monday to give a periodic update on the Japanese automaker’s business, Jack Hollis, head of sales for Toyota Motor North America, said 2023 would likely see Toyota and Lexus pick up another 100,000 sales above the 2.1 million it sold in the last…

Ford recalls: 1.3M Fusions, Lincoln MKZs called back for brakes

By on October 5, 2025

Ford is also recalling about 280,000 F-150 pickups globally from the 2021 model year, according to a separate recall report made public Thursday. The recall covers about 222,000 vehicles in the US, 50,000 in Canada and 2,000 in Mexico, Ford said. The windshield wiper arms on those vehicles may break, reducing visibility in certain conditions and increasing the risk of a crash. Potential indicators of the issue include erratic or slow wiper speed. Ford told NHTSA that as of Jan. 25, it was aware of 576 global reports of inoperative or detached windshield wiper arms related to this condition. Trico…

Cox Automotive wields ax as it reviews Canadian operations

By on October 3, 2025

Cox Automotive is laying off 80 staff in Canada and closing its Manheim Edmonton auction operation as it re-evaluates its Canadian footprint following the sale of much of its software business in the country late last year. Matt Trapp, Cox’s regional vice-president for the eastern United States and Canada, said the company has spent the past few months assessing its long-term strategy for Canada, and changes in the local wholesale market mean Manheim Edmonton no longer fits Cox’s growth plan . “It’s never easy when we make these decisions. … Unfortunately, Edmonton is not going to be a part of…

ABB Robotics to invest $20M, add 72 jobs in suburban Detroit

By on October 2, 2025

Zurich-based robotics giant ABB is planning to invest $20 million and create 72 jobs at its Auburn Hills, Michigan, plant in response to the growth of automation in the automotive industry and others. The company will increase robot production at its 538,000-square-foot building, adding new equipment to its manufacturing space and renovating its offices and demonstration center, said John Bubnikovich, ABB’s US Robotics division president. The renovations at the plant, where the company has operated since 1993, are expected to be complete by November. The project is being supported with a $450,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.…

Guide to Windshield Replacement in Arizona

By on September 29, 2025

Many drivers think they will be perfectly safe driving around with a crack or chip in their windshield, this often isn’t the case. Any obstruction in the windshield can result in unsafe driving conditions and could ultimately cause an accident. Because chips and cracks are prone to spreading over time, especially when exposed to the extreme weather conditions typically found in Arizona, it’s essential to consider windshield replacement, especially if the situation cannot be resolved with an auto glass repair. While this is a simple process, many people wonder if they really need to replace their windshield at all. The…

Lithia Motors buys UK dealership group Jardine Motors

By on September 28, 2025

Jardine Motors has more than 40 new-vehicle franchise points in the UK, with a portfolio of luxury brands including Aston Martin, Porsche and BMW, DeBoer said. Part of the conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings, Jardine is Europe’s 23rd-largest dealership group by annual revenue, according to Automotive News Europe’s 2022 Guide to Europe’s Biggest Dealers. The deal will add $2 billion to Lithia’s annual revenue, DeBoer said. In 2022, the company’s revenue surged 24% to $28.23 billion. “And more importantly, it gives us a foundation to grow more in the United Kingdom, which is helping us drive towards our $50 billion target…

29 Ford dealers leave EV program after changes

By on September 12, 2025

A Ford spokesperson said the company was still pleased with the figures. “It is important that dealers have the option to do what they believe is best for their business and their customers for the 2024-2026 period,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “As we continue to scale our EV volumes, our second enrollment period will open up for 2027-2029.” Among the changes: Ford said dealers no longer had to operate public electric vehicle chargers around the clock, and those in the Certified tier would not be capped at selling 25 EVs per year. Some retailers remain concerned about the…

Randy Marion Automotive buys 4 North Carolina dealerships

By on August 17, 2025

Growing Randy Marion Automotive Group bought four North Carolina dealerships in two separate first-quarter transactions to expand its portfolio in the state. Randy Marion Automotive in Mooresville, NC, on March 6 bought Gerry Wood Dodge of Salisbury, which also sells Chrysler, Jeep and Ram vehicles; Gerry Wood Honda; and Gerry Wood Kia from Gerry Wood, according to Randy Marion Automotive COO DJ Heller. The dealerships, all in Salisbury, NC, were renamed Randy Marion Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of Salisbury, Randy Marion Honda and Randy Marion Kia. Salisbury is northeast of Charlotte. Honda and Kia are both new brands for the group, Heller said.…