Swickard Auto Group Sells Mercedes-Benz of South Austin Group 1 Automotive, a publicly traded auto retailer operating 263 dealerships globally, has bought Mercedes-Benz of South Austin in a sale facilitated by Haig Partners. The dealership, previously owned by Jeff Swickard of Swickard Auto Group, was sold as part of a strategic decision to concentrate business […]

It has been widely documented that AI is changing the face of lending, but now new details are emerging of just how vast and far-reaching this evolution is. Today, there are specific steps AI is taking in the overall risk management and customer experience aspects of lending, and this has stark implications for lenders and […]

The new vehicle market is beginning to normalize in May following a surge in tariff-driven purchases earlier this year. According to J.D. Power and GlobalData, total new-vehicle sales, including retail and fleet transactions, are projected at 1,489,800 units, which is flat from May 2024 when adjusting for selling days. Retail sales alone were slightly up […]

Technology has transformed how dealerships operate, making everything faster, smarter, and more automated. But in the pursuit of efficiency, it’s easy to overlook one important truth: behind every click, form submission, or online inquiry is a real person, not just a lead or a data point. Customers are emotional, connection-seeking human beings, and that need […]

President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on all cars imported to the United States has sent ripples through the global automotive industry. Officially implemented on April 3, this policy is already reshaping manufacturing decisions and trade strategies. Everything seems to be in flux as automakers reevaluate their approach to the U.S. market. Some are shifting production […]

A collaboration between Reynolds and Reynolds, Volkswagen Group of America, and LaFontaine Automotive Group has introduced a new approach to vehicle service, combining cutting-edge kiosk technology with mobile service capabilities. This initiative, launched at Volkswagen’s Auburn Hills operations facility, focuses on a shared commitment to improving both customer satisfaction and employee productivity. The partnership integrates […]

Today’s auto dealers face a myriad of frustrations, challenges, and obstacles, particularly tied to lengthy transaction times for car shoppers. The efficiency of these transactions is paramount, especially in light of current tariffs that pose a significant threat to the bottom line. Dealers must ensure every possible efficiency in their business operations to remain competitive […]

The automotive retail industry entered 2025 at a crossroads. The first quarter of the year did little to clear up that uncertainty. This year’s Q1 Haig Report showcases a market filled with optimism yet balances it with challenges emerging from tariffs and other economic headwinds. Despite strong demand in the buy-sell market, transaction activity plummeted […]

U.S. auto retailers have had a longstanding relationship with local commercial and business fleet customers, especially in the servicing of vehicles in the fleet. Rapidly changing updates to connected vehicle data is offering an opportunity for retailers to further grow this business, but their technology proficiency to properly leverage this data poses great challenges for […]