Dealers’ most-read stories of 2025 reflect focus on innovation, affordability – WardsAuto
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Auto dealers relied on family ties and technological innovations to help them manage a complicated retail environment.
The auto industry saw many trends in 2025 that affected dealers, who responded by adjusting their strategies and striving to keep cars within the reach of consumers’ budgets.
Dealerships continued to change hands, with some of them expanding into new markets and others absorbing existing businesses. Used Ford cars became available on Amazon Autos and Carvana made further gains in the used market.
By year’s end, new-vehicle prices had declined somewhat from September’s record levels. But affordability still remained a challenge for consumers, particularly for subprime borrowers facing tightened credit from lenders.
As we start 2026, WardsAuto decided to collect last year’s top-performing dealer stories, which reflected the trends above. Take a look at the 12 most-read stories from 2025 below.
The mega-dealer group’s acquisition of auction site Adesa is starting to pay dividends, per a recent earnings call. Read the full article ➔
The head of a major dealership group credits technology for taking auto retailing to greater efficiencies. Read the full article ➔
While Asbury saw record third-quarter revenues, CFO Michael Welch said the industry's vehicle sales remain short of the 17 million reached in 2019. Read the full article ➔
Uncertainty fueled by many factors, including tariffs and cooling demand for electric vehicles, is behind the focus. Read the full article ➔
As part of a new partnership with the e-commerce giant, customers can purchase a CPO Ford vehicle online, then pick up in-person at a local dealer. Read the full article ➔
Amanda Grappone Osmer sells off Toyota franchise to keep control of the group for future generations. Read the full article ➔
The acquired Toyota and Lexus dealerships collectively sold more than 28,000 new and used vehicles in 2024. Read the full article ➔
The Premier Companies group has a growing love affair with the German brand. Read the full article ➔
The average new car cost topped $50,000 for the first time ever last month, according to Cox Automotive. Read the full article ➔
Increases in auto delinquencies spook credit companies, while the New York Federal Reserve reports 90-day late payments are the highest since Q2 2020. Read the full article ➔
In some instances, low-risk consumers on paper may actually be fraudulent borrowers, according to TransUnion. Read the full article ➔
The new technologies are slated to appear in vehicles sold in the North America market in the second half of the 2020s. Read the full article ➔
The feature is available on all Nissan and Infiniti vehicles equipped with Google built-in, including the new 2026 Leaf EV. Read the full article ➔
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The site in Dearborn, Michigan, has served as the center of the automaker’s global operations since 1956.
Provided by Rivian.
With lessons learned from its first generation vehicles, the EV maker is banking on scale to reduce costs and drive profits.
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The site in Dearborn, Michigan, has served as the center of the automaker’s global operations since 1956.
Provided by Rivian.
With lessons learned from its first generation vehicles, the EV maker is banking on scale to reduce costs and drive profits.
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