AutoNation showed off its newest showpiece with a grand reopening ceremony. The national vehicle retailer debuted its new Porsche Newport Beach retail and service center in Newport Beach, Calif., last week following a “ground-up redevelopment” designed to deliver an “unparalleled luxury automotive experience.” The grand reopening included “curated culinary stations” and comedy from America’s Got […] [Read More]

Dealer Alchemist has conjured up a new partnership with an OEM. The automotive digital marketing company announced it has been certified as a website, digital advertising and search engine optimization partner for Mitsubishi Digital Solutions, Mitsubishi Motors North America’s managed services program, allowing U.S. Mitsubishi dealers to access Dealer Alchemist products directly through the MiDS […] [Read More]

Dealership technology provider Kenect has introduced Voice AI, an artificial intelligence system designed to improve service department operations and customer interactions. Voice AI serves as a virtual receptionist, available 24/7 to handle inbound calls, answer routine questions, schedule service appointments and route inquiries to the appropriate department. The company said automating those tasks allows dealerships […] [Read More]

Lyft and Waymo plan to operate in harmony in the Music City. Lyft announced it is joining the self-driving technology company in a partnership to bring Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service to Nashville, beginning in 2026. With the collaboration, Waymo, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc., will use Lyft’s proprietary integrated fleet management services through […] [Read More]

Car Pros Automotive Group made back to school a lot better for kids in Southern California and Western Washington. The dealership group’s charitable arm, Car Pros Cares, last month held its second annual Back-to-School Supply Drive, collecting and distributing school supplies to students. Donation boxes at Car Pros’ nine dealerships collected 12,142 items for local […] [Read More]

Hyundai’s nonprofit foundation to battle childhood cancer is backing its hope with money. Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit supported by Hyundai Motor America and its 850 U.S. dealers, announced the 2025 recipients of its annual research and programmatic grants, with 106 medical institutions nationwide set to receive donations totaling $27 million to improve outcomes […] [Read More]

Hiley Automotive Group has added to its portfolio of North Texas dealerships. The Texas-based business has acquired Lakeside Chevrolet in Rockwall, just east of Dallas, from Carol Grady, Michael Grady and Bob Holliman, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which advised on the transaction. The purchase gives Hiley 11 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, along […] [Read More]

A coalition of executives involved in streaming media, data and advertising technology has formed the Automotive Streaming Council, a new alliance created to establish guidelines, uphold ethical standards and promote greater transparency and performance in streaming advertising for the auto industry. In a news release, the ASC said it is a self-regulatory body that will […] [Read More]

AutoNation’s vast collection of dealerships has grown again. The national retailer announced it has acquired two more luxury stores in Chicago, purchasing Fletcher Jones Audi and Mercedes-Benz of Chicago from Fletcher Jones Automotive Group. The additions, which represent some $325 million in revenue and 4,500 retail new and used vehicle sales annually, give AutoNation 10 […] [Read More]

Automotive marketing firm Mudd Advertising has acquired DealerTrend, a technology company known for its dealer websites, inventory management and application programming interface-driven digital tools. In a news release, Mudd said the Reno, Nev.-based DealerTrend, founded in 2001, was built to help dealers simplify technology and compete more effectively online, and the acquisition adds to Mudd’s […] [Read More]