Trade News

Peter Boulware, an NFL veteran turned franchised dealer, wants his two Toyota stores to reach top potential before expanding his holdings. The retired Baltimore Ravens linebacker will consider opportunities if they arise but sees no reason to rush.

"I'm open to anything, but I'd say I'm really more in the mindset of, 'I just want to be excellent with what I have right now,' " Boulware told Automotive News.

Boulware in April 2021 bought the former Fred Anderson Toyota of Columbia, in West Columbia, S.C., a store he renamed Peter Boulware Toyota of Columbia. That deal came nearly two decades after he — while still on the gridiron — became a part owner in the former Legacy Toyota in Tallahassee, Fla., in 2003. In 2020, Boulware became majority owner of the Florida store, renaming it Peter Boulware Toyota.

The 2021 purchase represented a route home for the Columbia, S.C., native, a connection that played a crucial role in his decision to buy the store when …

As automakers continue their digitalization efforts, focus is shifting to the development of in-car applications and subscription services in the hopes of creating lucrative additional revenue streams.

By offering paid apps — either through third parties or created in-house — automakers believe they can develop a closer relationship with customers after they purchase a vehicle while building a revenue stream that extends beyond the original purchase, even to successive owners. Fees could vary between subscription services and upfront payments, depending on the service and company strategy.

Ford Motor Co. projects that the global market for connected functions such as its BlueCruise driver-assist technology, new features and upgraded software content could top $20 billion by 2030.

Yet the apps that will make money for automakers aren't the ones that first looked like the good opportunities, said Ford CEO Jim Farley.

"They're not what we thought,"…

SHANGHAI -- Leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Co. has adjusted product pricing, citing the impact of reduced subsidies for new energy vehicles since November 2022.

Official guidance prices will rise by between 2,000 yuan ($290) and 6,000 yuan for various models beginning Jan. 1, the company said on its official Weibo account.

Tesla Inc. is starting 2023 as it ended 2022: with incentives aimed at propping up sales in China.

The carmaker is offering Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover buyers as much as 10,000 yuan ($1,450) if they take delivery by Feb. 28, according to Tesla’s website. The company is extending a 6,000-yuan subsidy it started offering in early December, and the other 4,000-yuan subsidy tied to purchasing insurance through Tesla was first introduced in November.

The pricing adjustments at the major EV makers come as the Chinese economy faces new headwinds from a surge in COVID cases after the government eased containm…

The University of Virginia professor previews the upcoming Indy Autonomous Challenge at CES, discusses his work with the Cavalier Autonomous Racing team and explores how self-driving technology might migrate from racing to robotaxis.

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WASHINGTON — For the second consecutive year, Ford Motor Co. has reported the most U.S. vehicle recalls of any automaker, partial NHTSA data shows.

Through Dec. 19, Ford had issued 65 recalls affecting more than 8.6 million vehicles in 2022. In 2021, the automaker issued 53 recalls covering nearly 5.4 million vehicles.

The U.S. recall data comes as Ford continues to work on improving manufacturing operations and combating quality issues, particularly on its high-profile vehicles.

In November, Ford recalled nearly 634,000 Bronco Sport and Escape crossovers globally for fire risks. Months before, the automaker had issued a stop-sale to dealers as part of its recall of nearly 50,000 Mustang Mach-E crossovers for potential power loss. Federal investigators also launched an investigation last year into "catastrophic engine failures" in the popular 2021 Bronco SUV.

"While we don't ever want customers inconvenienced by pro…

What it is: A pulse check of the franchised, independent and overall auto retail industry. Each quarter, Cox conveys dealers' sense of the market today and what they expect in three months. It also inquires about other topics, including store profits, inventory and business challenges.

Where it comes from: Cox surveys hundreds of franchised and independent dealers to produce an index each quarter. The answers typically come from department managers or highly ranked staff, and are weighted by dealership type and sales. Most responses are scored between 0 and 100, with higher numbers signifying strength or increases. A 50 signifies stable or average.

How it's used: Dealerships can compare their own situation and market to national sentiments expressed by peers, both on a quarterly basis and over time. The survey allows comparisons between the current market, the pandemic years, and conditions before the COVID-19 pandemic.

How it might…

What it is: A key annual survey gauging the health of the working relationships between suppliers and major automakers in North America — from the perspective of suppliers. The study, released each spring, rates those relationships on a 500-point scale, with a higher score indicating more supplier satisfaction in areas such as communication and the effective resolution of issues that arise.

Where it comes from: Consulting firm Plante Moran surveys hundreds of Tier 1 automotive supplier executives. The 2022 iteration surveyed 673 executives from 436 suppliers, revealing findings on six major automakers: General Motors, Honda, Ford, Nissan, Stellantis and Toyota.

How it's used: The study provides the industry with a quantitative measure of something that's inherently qualitative. Automaker-supplier relationships have been particularly relevant in recent years as both sides manage unprecedented supply chain challenges and supplier financial press…

What it is: Since July 2021, the federal government has been collecting data on crashes involving vehicles that have advanced driver-assistance systems and automated-driving systems. Crash reports include the name of the reporting company, the type of vehicle involved and details such as collision severity and damage and whether injuries or deaths occurred. New data is released on or around the 15th of each month.

Where it comes from: The data is collected through a NHTSA order issued last year requiring vehicle, equipment and software manufacturers of advanced driver-assistance systems and automated-driving systems to report crashes where the system was engaged within 30 seconds of the crash and damage or injury ensued. Companies subject to the order must report to the agency within 24 hours of learning of the incident and provide additional updates by certain time frames.

How it's used: The data helps NHTSA identify potential defect trends an…

The failure of the IRS to establish rules for electric vehicle tax credits by the end of 2022 as ordered by the Inflation Reduction Act is disappointing and raises questions about the execution of Congress' many-layered scheme.

The old EV tax credit was a bit convoluted, but the system crafted by Senate Democrats to meet the demands of Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is a regulatory puzzle to say the least.

The Manchin compromise with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer relieved automakers of volume-related limits on zero-emission vehicle tax credits, which General Motors and Tesla had exceeded, in exchange for no fewer than five limits based on vehicle price, buyer income, source of battery minerals, source of battery components and where the vehicles undergo final assembly.

Some rules are easy to enforce, such as the prohibition on federal support for vehicles assembled outside North America. Others are more complicated, such as documenting what per…