While successive US governments have banned vehicle tech from China over worries about spying, it might be the domestic cars that you should really be worried about. Early last year, General Motors was banned from selling data it gleaned from customers. Now Ford and Stellantis are under the microscope, with the Montana Attorney General launching a new investigation into their practices. Your Car Has Loads Of Data, But Whose Data Is It? Automakers are pushing connected car services not just in hopes of making your driving life easier. The data that your vehicle captures every moment is extremely valuable. Just like the information gathered by your phone, your computer, and that smart fridge mistake you made a few years back, there is a market for it, one that can be very lucrative and make your life a privacy nightmare. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said that his office has received reports that customer personal driving data is being collected and sold to third-party companies by Ford and Stellantis. He's launching an investigation under the state's Consumer Protection Act, which he says was intended to safeguard personal and financial information like this. “It appears vehicle owners are unaware that their driving data is being collected and sold to third parties without their consent. If true, this deceitful practice raises serious consumer protection concerns and is also a violation of state law,” Knudsen said in a written statement. The AG's office said that it has received reports that the data is being sold to third parties like LexisNexis as well as insurance companies. Automakers Are Struggling To Get People To Pay For Connected Services A new study from S&P Global reveals that most new car owners are still wary of paying for new connected services and software. The two automakers will have
Apr 14, 2026 · via carbuzz.com
Georgia Tech Selected for Upcoming EcoCAR Challenge Georgia Tech students will once again take part in a national competition that connects them directly with automotive industry leaders to develop the next generation of mobility innovations. For the fourth consecutive cycle, Georgia Tech has been selected to participate in the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition’s EcoCAR Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, Stellantis, MathWorks, and other industry partners. Georgia Tech is among 20 universities chosen for the four-year competition, which challenges students to apply emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and exascale computing — to create intelligent mobility solutions. The Institute is one of 10 schools competing on the General Motors track and has been provided a 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV. During the cycle, the team will modify the vehicle’s propulsion system to optimize efficiency and design connected and automated vehicle technologies without sacrificing safety or driving dynamics, closely mirroring industry goals. Recruitment for the competition will begin this spring, following the conclusion of the current cycle, which culminates in final competition events in Detroit in late May. Made up of more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students from six of Georgia Tech’s Colleges, the team reflects what faculty advisor Antonia Antoniou believes is the essence of the competition. Antoniou is a professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “We have students represented from all over campus, and they have risen to meet every challenge,” she said. “They work together to optimize, design, and execute these tasks. Everything you can think of that we do at Georgia Tech happens while we're working on this car — from engineering and design of hardware and software to communications.” Across six subteams, EcoCAR members have transformed a Cadillac LYRIQ EV to include new motors, a selectable
Apr 14, 2026 · via news.gatech.edu
Imagine this space ... but entirely for pedestrians and cyclists. File Photo/DOT Ain’t it Grand! Grand Army Plaza will become a grander plaza that’s fully connected to Prospect Park, Mayor Mamdani said on Monday — embracing a 20-year-old plan for a safer, more people-first space. On Monday, Mamdani and Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn unveiled a familiar-looking redesign to connect the plaza containing the ceremonial Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch and the adjacent Bailey Fountain to Prospect Park’s northern entrance. The design eliminates motor vehicle traffic between Union Street and Eastern Parkway to allow for much safer, calmer and more rational pedestrian experience. If the project actually breaks ground this time, Mamdani and Flynn will be delivering on an idea that Brooklyn advocates — including a young Mike Flynn — began discussing in earnest in 2006, when Park Slope and Prospect Heights residents formed the Grand Army Plaza Coalition. DOT’s latest plan simplifies the traffic flow in and around the plaza by removing drivers’ ability to travel all the way around the inside of its traffic circle (to view the current layout, click here). Northbound and southbound drivers on Flatbush Avenue would use the east side of the inner circle. Southbound drivers coming from Vanderbilt Avenue and northbound drivers coming off of Union Street would occupy the west side of the circle: Besides unifying the plaza and park, DOT will also add and upgrade bike lanes in the area. Painted bike lanes on Plaza Street East and Plaza Street West will become raised and parking-protected, while DOT will also add raised and parking-protected northbound and southbound bike lanes on the Vanderbilt-to-Union segment. The redesign will dramatically simplify where and how people can cross the street: DOT will entirely eliminate the notorious concrete triangle on Flatbush Avenue between the park and
Apr 14, 2026 · via nyc.streetsblog.org
Using technology to streamline the buying and selling of cars is on the agenda at CarMax, as the used car retailer prepares a new strategic plan under the leadership of a new CEO. Keith Barr, who became president and CEO of CarMax on March 16, said during a Tuesday (April 14) earnings call that technology is one of the company’s initial strategic priorities. CarMax also highlighted that priority in an investor presentation released Tuesday. “We’ll use software, data and AI in practical ways that make it even easier for customers to buy and sell cars and easier for our associates to serve them,” Barr said. “That means reducing friction across the journey, personalizing the experience, improving how we match inventory and pricing to meet customer demand, and ensuring a great experience both in our stores and online.” CarMax enables customers to shop for used cars both online and at the company’s 250-plus stores in 41 states, according to its website. During the fourth quarter, the company sold 303,969 vehicles, up 0.7% year over year, according to a Tuesday earnings release. Barr was named CEO in February and assumed that role in March. He joined CarMax after serving as CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), a hospitality company that operates 6,000 properties across 100 countries. When announcing the appointment, CarMax said in a press release that Barr modernized IHG’s technology, in part by developing a digital reservation system that enhanced the booking experience and enabled guests to personalize their stays. Advertisement: Scroll to Continue During Tuesday’s earnings call, an analyst asked Barr how that experience in the hotel industry might color Barr’s thoughts on how to streamline CarMax’s click-through experience. Barr answered: “One of my rallying cries in my old role was, ‘How do we reduce friction in the customer experience?
Apr 14, 2026 · via pymnts.com
By proceeding, you agree to our Terms And Conditions. Mahindra Vision S compact SUV arriving in early 2027 Vision X previews next-gen Mahindra XUV 3XO In order to further boost sales, Mahindra is planning to add multiple new SUVs in its portfolio. The company has already announced its new NU_IQ platform based products will start arriving from early 2027. While the XUV 3XO has been generating good numbers, the homegrown SUV maker is now preparing to launch two new compact SUVs based on the Vision S and Vision X concepts. While the Vision S previews the brand’s rugged-adventure design, the Vision X based compact SUV presents the brand’s new Urban design philosophy. Both models are based on the brand’s NU_IQ architecture, and testing of the Vision S based lifestyle-SUV has already been started on the Indian roads. The Vision S is rumoured to be the smallest member of the Scorpio family, and could be called the Scorpio Sport. This SUV comes with a boxy, upright silhouette, and the spotted model looks identical to the original concept that debuted in 2025. It gets the inverted L-shaped LED DRLs and a vertical-slat grille with “Twin-Peaks” logo. The SUV has a high ground clearance, chunky wheel arches, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel. The SUV will come with flush-fitting door handles, 18-inch dual-tone alloys, panoramic sunroof, LEVEL-2 ADAS, a 360-degree surround view camera, ventilated front seats and connected car tech. It is built on the brand’s new NU_IQ platform that is compatible with different body styles and powertrains, including hybrid, EV and ICE. It will sit between the XUV 3XO and Scorpio N, and is built for person who wants a rugged lifestyle SUV. 1.2L TGDi petrol - 130hp 1.5L diesel (Not confirmed) - 117hp and 300Nm Hybrid and EV could join at a
Apr 14, 2026 · via carlelo.com
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, La. — A 13-year-old boy believed to be behind a string of vehicle break-ins in Reserve is now in custody, according to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say the juvenile is connected to 11 vehicle burglaries reported over a two-week period in April, all happening in Reserve. The arrest happened early Monday, April 13, after a deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 500 block of West 10th Street around 12:35 a.m. When the deputy arrived, they saw a vehicle with its hazard lights on and observed a person walking down a business driveway. Authorities said when deputies detained the teen, he told them he had a gun in his pocket. Investigators believe the gun may have been stolen during an earlier burglary tied to the juvenile. He was booked with attempted theft of a motor vehicle and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile. He also faces additional charges, including criminal trespass, multiple counts of simple criminal damage to property, and a curfew violation. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS, the Criminal Investigations Division (Sgt. Gilberto Castellanos at 504-494-4170) or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
Apr 14, 2026 · via wwltv.com
As CNBC reported Monday (April 13), company revenue chief Denise Dresser praised the collaboration in a memo to staff Sunday (April 12), while also pointing out the limitations of OpenAI’s long-running relationship with Microsoft. “Our Microsoft partnership has been foundational to our success. But it has also limited our ability to meet enterprises where they are — for many that’s Bedrock,” Dresser said in the memo, which was seen by CNBC, referencing Amazon Web Services’ platform that gives companies access to AI models. “Since we announced the partnership at the end of February, inbound demand from our customers for this offering has been frankly staggering,” Dresser added. Under the terms of the deal with Amazon, the eCommerce giant will invest up to $50 billion in OpenAI. Microsoft, Amazon’s chief cloud competitor, has invested upwards of $13 billion in OpenAI, a relationship that began years before ChatGPT sparked the generative AI boom. A spokesperson for Microsoft declined to comment when reached by PYMNTS. Advertisement: Scroll to Continue The CNBC report characterized OpenAI as “desperate” to capture market share in the enterprise space, where Anthropic has established itself as the leader of late. According to the report, the rise of Anthropic’s Claude model was a popular topic at AI industry conference HumanX in San Francisco last week. Arvind Jain, chief executive of enterprise AI startup Glean, described it as “Claude mania” in an interview at the event. “It has become a religion, that’s the level of that mania,” said Jain. Both OpenAI and Anthropic, the report added, are working to sell investors on their respective strengths as they prepare to go public, possibly later this year. OpenAI was valued at more than $850 billion in a record funding round in late March, while investors valued Anthropic at $380 billion in a February
Apr 14, 2026 · via pymnts.com
Car Damaged, One Transported in Route 50 Wreck By Jeff Toquinto on April 14, 2026 A single-vehicle accident in Harrison County resulted in one medical transport and the need for traffic control. Members of the Reynoldsville Volunteer Fire Department were alerted to the wreck at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 10. The accident in question was reported to be on Route 50 East near the Wilsonburg exit. The report also stated there were injuries. Several members from the RVFD responded to the scene. Upon arrival, the first responders found the vehicle on the eastbound side of Route 50 facing westbound traffic. It had suffered damage to the front end. There was one occupant in the vehicle. That individual had exited the vehicle prior to RVFD showing up on the scene. The Harrison County Emergency Squad arrived and assisted with the individual. That person was taken from the scene for additional medical care and evaluation. RVFD crews worked on clearing debris and fluids from that area of Route 50. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, which is overseeing the investigation, also assisted at the accident. There was no word on the severity of the injuries suffered by the driver. Editor's Note: Photo courtesy of the Reynoldsville Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.
Apr 14, 2026 · via connect-bridgeport.com
Body shop repair dispute ends with 2 arrests after car vanishes, police say EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — An investigation by the El Paso Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force has resulted in the arrest of two individuals connected to a reported vehicle theft and fraud case involving a local body shop. According to officials, the investigation began after a victim reported paying several thousand dollars for vehicle repair and paint services. The victim had been referred to the business by an acquaintance and was repeatedly assured that the work was nearing completion. However, when the victim was shown the vehicle, it remained unfinished. After making multiple attempts to retrieve the vehicle, the victim discovered that the business had vacated its location on Dyer Street. Communication from the business ceased, and the vehicle was never returned, officials said. RECOMMENDED: El Paso man accused of cartel-linked threats after DWI arrest, deputies say Authorities, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, identified and arrested Emmanuel Cervantes, 42, and Gema Fernanda Garcia, 23, in connection with the case. Cervantes faces multiple charges, including: - Deceptive business practices with a previous conviction (bond set at $15,000) - Insurance fraud involving amounts between $150,000 and $300,000 (bond set at $75,000) - Failure to identify as a fugitive and providing false information (bond set at $500) - Theft of property valued between $2,500 and $30,000 (bond set at $5,000) Garcia has been charged with theft of property in the same value range, with bond set at $3,500. All cases are being overseen by local judges, and the investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather information. Cervantes was previously arrested last year for allegedly using a vehicle he was supposed to be repairing. Police urge anyone who may have had similar experiences with the
Apr 14, 2026 · via kfoxtv.com
Nissan Future Product Plans: More Hybrids, Fewer Models, More AI Nissan’s growth plan calls for streamlining its global lineup. It has been a year since Nissan put a new CEO in place and outlined its initial strategy to restore the company to health. Now we are getting a glimpse of the product plan behind the push to return the Japanese automaker to financial vitality in the long term. Nissan is streamlining its global portfolio to 45 models from 56 currently, and more than 80 percent of its volume will come from three families of vehicles. There is no list of the low-performing casualties or timeline for the discontinuations yet, but we do know remaining and future models are being classified into four categories or families, defined by their role in the plan. The global “Core” models will drive volume. By concentrating development around three families, the volume of each model will increase by more than 30 percent. This category includes the new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid e-Power that finally comes to North America, having been on sale as the X-Trail hybrid elsewhere in the world for years. It was revealed, in production form, today at an event at Nissan headquarters in Yokohama. It also includes the Juke EV for Europe; it’s pictured at the top of this post. “Heartbeat” models are designed to embody Nissan’s DNA, imbued with emotion and innovation. The return of the Nissan Xterra SUV for the U.S. and Canada falls into this category. It is on a new body-on-frame platform that will also yield the next-generation Frontier pickup truck and Pathfinder, as well as models for the Infiniti luxury brand. For Japan, one Heartbeat model is the rear-wheel-drive Skyline, which will return as a performance sedan positioned between the Z and GT-R. Another grouping falls under
Apr 14, 2026 · via motortrend.com
For the first time in more than two decades, General Motors and Stellantis are competing in the same program — but their shared goal is cultivating the engineers who will build tomorrow’s cars. The federal government and two of America’s largest automakers announced Monday that they are teaming up to sponsor a national university competition focused on next-generation electric and hybrid vehicle technology, part of a broader push to strengthen the American auto industry’s technical workforce at a critical moment for the sector. The Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory selected 20 universities across the United States and Canada to participate in the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge, the 15th installment in a long-running series of collegiate engineering competitions focused on advanced vehicles. General Motors and Stellantis, typically fierce rivals, will each sponsor one of two competition tracks — the first collaboration between two major automakers in the same program series in more than 25 years. The stakes, organizers say, go beyond trophies. American automakers are racing to close a widening skills gap as the industry transitions from combustion engines to electrified drivetrains, automated systems, and software-defined vehicles. Programs like EcoCAR are designed to produce engineers who can navigate that complexity from day one on the job. “This is an investment in the next era of the American workforce,” said Audrey Robertson, the Department of Energy’s Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “This unprecedented collaboration between GM and Stellantis underscores the importance of building a skilled U.S. workforce and promoting innovation.” Each automaker will provide a vehicle platform for student teams to modify and engineer. General Motors has contributed the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV, a fully electric SUV, while Stellantis is providing the 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid. The two tracks give students exposure to distinct powertrain architectures — battery-electric
Apr 14, 2026 · via autoconnectedcar.com
(TestMiles) – As cars become rolling computers, some drivers are heading in the opposite direction. Early-2000s vehicles are suddenly appealing because they remain largely offline and ensure privacy that many question in newer vehicles. For years the auto industry has pushed relentlessly toward more connectivity. Cars now talk to smartphones, satellites, and the cloud. They can stream music, update their own software, and even send driving data back to manufacturers. But something unusual is happening at the same time. A growing number of drivers are rediscovering cars built between roughly 2000 and 2005. These vehicles represent the last moment before the industry became fully connected. They offer modern drivability without the layers of digital monitoring that define today’s vehicles. This shift has been driven partly by privacy concerns. Modern vehicles collect enormous amounts of operational data. According to research from the NHTSA, electronic safety systems and sensors now form a core part of modern vehicle design. Why does this matter right now? One of the most surprising developments in automotive research involves something many drivers barely notice. Researchers discovered that signals transmitted by tire pressure monitoring systems can potentially identify individual vehicles. These sensors constantly broadcast pressure and temperature data to the car’s computer. The system exists for a simple reason. Underinflated tires can increase stopping distance, reduce fuel economy, and contribute to accidents. That is why tire pressure monitoring systems became mandatory in the United States under regulations overseen by the the Department of Transportation (DOT). Since the sensors communicate using low-power radio signals. Researchers demonstrated that these signals can sometimes act as unique identifiers for a vehicle. In practical terms, the signals are not designed for long-distance tracking. But in environments such as parking garages or controlled monitoring points, the same vehicle could theoretically be recognized repeatedly. This
Apr 14, 2026 · via wreg.com
The administration says no deal is on the table ahead of President Trump’s visit to China. Some senators are still urging him not to consider one, and another’s expected legislation would cement a ban. You still can’t buy a Chinese car in the United States. As we wrote in January there’s a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, and a federal ban on the use of Chinese software in connected vehicles is now in place. It’s an effective ban to Chinese auto imports. But American car costs are high, the price tags on Chinese autos are astoundingly low and the drumbeat of calls to grant them U.S. market access is steady. As if to illustrate this point there’s an animated New York Times opinion on the subject today; a reminder of the story’s importance as President Trump’s visit to China approaches. His January comments to a Detroit audience suggest he’s open to the market access idea. And the president famously likes making deals. The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) believes an auto deal would invite a serious economic threat to domestic auto manufacturers and workers. In a 2024 report we argued “the introduction of cheap Chinese autos – which are so inexpensive because they are backed with the power and funding of the Chinese government – to the American market could end up being an extinction-level event for the U.S. auto sector, whose centrality in the national economy is unimpeachable.” And last month, as China’s auto production overcapacity and exports continued to surge worldwide, AAM President Scott Paul wrote in a Detroit News opinion that “forcing (the domestic auto industry) into competition with vertically integrated rivals that are focused on seizing market share would, from an employment perspective, trigger a disaster on par with the China Shock of the 2000s.”
Apr 14, 2026 · via americanmanufacturing.org
Channel 99 becomes Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio, a 24/7 comedy destination anchored by new weekly flagship, “The Sebastian Maniscalco Show” TORONTO – April 13, 2026 – SiriusXM Canada today announced a new multi-year agreement with the record-breaking comedian Sebastian Maniscalco that will bring his unmistakable brand of comedy to an exclusive, dedicated SiriusXM channel. Beginning April 20, channel 99 becomes Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio, a 24/7 comedy destination curated and headlined by Maniscalco. Watch a trailer HERE Launching April 28 as the channel’s flagship program, “The Sebastian Maniscalco Show” will feature Sebastian alongside contributors like his longtime friend and comedian Pete Correale, plus celebrity drop-ins and recurring segments. New episodes premiere every Tuesday at 12p ET / 9a PT on SiriusXM and are available same day on demand in the SiriusXM app. The full video episodes debut one week later on Sebastian’s YouTube channel, alongside the audio version wherever podcasts are available. “Joining SiriusXM and launching my own channel is a huge moment for me,” said Sebastian Maniscalco. “It’s an incredible opportunity to create a space that brings together everything I love: comedy, storytelling, great conversations, and unexpected moments. I’m excited to give listeners something that feels fresh, fun, and uniquely mine. We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned, and I can’t wait for people to hear what we’re building. Honestly, the real comedy may come from trying to teach my father how to find SiriusXM in his car. That alone could be its own weekly series.” “Sebastian is one of the funniest and most influential voices in comedy today. From sold-out arenas to chart-topping specials, he brings an energy and perspective that audiences relate to and connect with instantly,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer at SiriusXM. “We’re thrilled to build a new comedy destination around
Apr 13, 2026 · via siriusxm.ca
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — An Emory Healthcare Warner Robins surgeon was arrested on Friday and accused of buying stolen cars for his rental car business. Prosecutors says Patrick Narh-Martey then altered the car's VIN numbers to cover it up. Narh-Martey, a surgeon at Emory Healthcare Warner Robins, was arrested on Friday, charged with theft by receiving stolen property and possessing a car with altered VIN numbers. He is accused of buying stolen cars for his rental car side business, Amanor Enterprise LLC, according to Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards and the incident report. But, to obscure the fact that the vehicles were stolen, Edwards says Narh-Martey conspired with others to change the vehicle's VIN numbers so that they could be rented out. Edwards says investigators connected 13 stolen vehicles to Narh-Martey. Edwards says the vehicles were reported stolen from across the nation, ranging from Charlotte to Chicago, but none of them were from Georgia. Court records show Narh-Martey faces 11 counts of theft by receiving stolen property and eight counts for possessing vehicles with altered VIN numbers. According to the Houston County incident report, Narh-Martey was listed as a victim when investigators contacted him in July 2021. The report says a Houston County tag office employee flagged a title from Florida, which they believed was fake. Narh-Martey told investigators that he bought the vehicle — a 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcatt — on Facebook Marketplace, saying he paid a man $44,500 for it. But according to Edwards, investigators determined that Narh-Martey was not a victim but instead knowingly purchased stolen vehicles. Edwards says that others are believed to have coordinated with other people to alter the VIN numbers. He says others could also faces charged, but no one else has been charged yet. 13WMAZ reached out to Emory Healthcare Warner
Apr 13, 2026 · via 13wmaz.com
Dykema Releases 2026 Automotive Trends Report: Industry Pressures Escalate Into Litigation, Compliance Mandates, and Operational Risk Press Releases 4.13.26 Dykema’s Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation (AMT) Group, a four-time recipient of Law360’s Practice Group of the Year for Transportation, is excited to announce the release of its Fourth Annual Automotive Trends Report. The 2026 report examines how the automotive industry’s most persistent business pressures—from tariffs and supply chain disruptions to connected vehicle privacy obligations and AI regulation—have evolved from theoretical concerns to active legal and operational challenges. Based on a survey of OEMs, suppliers, and other key stakeholders, the 2026 report analyzes developments across 10 core areas: Supply Chain, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Intellectual Property, Government Policy, Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement, Advanced Mobility, Risk and Litigation, Artificial Intelligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Labor & Employment. This year’s findings reflect a market actively responding to market disruption. Companies are facing litigation over tariff allocation, supplier distress, and warranty exposure; navigating an increasingly fragmented web of state privacy laws for connected vehicle data; and addressing workforce constraints that threaten ongoing technology transformation. At the same time, AI compliance obligations, autonomous and ADAS liability exposure, and EV-related product claims continue to reshape legal risk across the sector. “Across the industry, issues that once felt emerging or contained to the boardroom are now showing up as immediate legal and business problems,” said Laura Baucus, Director of Dykema's AMT Group. “This year’s report shows that companies are no longer asking what might change next. Instead, they’re figuring out how to navigate regulatory enforcement, commercial disputes, and operational strain right now.” Dykema's 2026 Automotive Trends Report surveyed respondents on the legal and business issues expected to have the greatest impact in the coming year. Key findings include: - Supply Chain Litigation: 61% of respondents cited supply chain
Apr 13, 2026 · via dykema.com
April 13, 2026 04:27 AM EDT
Featured Stories
Here’s our 2026 list of the top 150 dealership groups in the U.S. with analysis and highlights
See who made this year's list of the top 150 dealership groups, ranked by 2025 new-vehicle sales. Read our full coverage and data breakdowns.
Apr 13, 2026 · via autonews.com
The rules of automotive retail have been rewritten. Consumer expectations have shifted faster than most of the industry has been able to respond, and Cox Automotive has been at the forefront of that shift — building the tools, experiences, and data infrastructure that help dealers not just keep up, but stay ahead. Cox Automotive has appointed Jeff Jones as Senior Vice President of Product & Engineering, Consumer & Marketing Solutions, effective April 13. Jones brings more than 30 years of experience building large-scale eCommerce platforms, AI-driven personalization systems, and the data ecosystems that make connected consumer experiences possible. Jones’ leadership of the Consumer & Marketing Solutions team reflects a clear strategic priority. Car shoppers today arrive at dealerships having already done most of their homework online. They’ve researched inventory, explored pricing, estimated trade-in value, and formed real opinions about what they’re willing to pay. And when they walk through the door, they expect all of that context to carry forward with them. Dealers who can deliver on that expectation build trust and close more deals. The eCommerce and digital retail tools and experiences that bridge that gap are exactly what Jones has spent his career building. That work spans the full consumer journey. Buy Online, powered by Accelerate My Deal Elite, handles the complete transaction from financing and trade-in valuation to contracts and compliance — all within a single experience that works alongside the dealer systems already in place. On the consumer discovery side, Cox Automotive has been investing in generative engine optimization (GEO) — ensuring its brands show up as the answer in AI-generated search, not just a listing. Autotrader currently holds the number one position in automotive sales AI answer visibility, and Kelley Blue Book has reclaimed the top spot for overall LLM visibility. Additionally, both brands are
Apr 13, 2026 · via coxautoinc.com
The Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA) in East Lansing has appointed Lawrence Harte as director of automotive media and digital services. In this new position, Harte will lead CVTAâs initiatives in automotive media, in-vehicle streaming, and connected vehicle digital services â expanding the associationâs capabilities in one of the fastest-growing segments of the mobility ecosystem. Harte is a recognized product and service developer, tech-media publisher, and industry expert with extensive experience in connected vehicles, streaming media, and digital service platforms. He brings expertise in developing and monetizing automotive media solutions, including in-vehicle advertising, OTT video services, and data-driven business models. He is the founder and publisher of EV Business magazine and OTT Business magazine, and has led multiple industry research, publishing, and conference initiatives focused on emerging digital ecosystems. âLawrence brings a unique combination of automotive, media, and digital services expertise that aligns perfectly with the next phase of connected vehicle innovation,â says Scott McCormick, president of CVTA. âAs vehicles rapidly evolve into connected digital platforms, his leadership will help CVTA members understand and capitalize on new opportunities in automotive media, streaming, and data-driven services.â In his role as director of automotive media and digital services, Harte is expected to: - Lead industry collaboration and thought leadership on automotive media platforms, in-vehicle streaming, and connected vehicle digital services. - Define frameworks for automotive media ecosystems, including subscription, transaction, and advertising-based revenue models. - Collaborate with OEMs, software platform providers, telecom operators, and OTT/media companies to advance ecosystem partnerships. - Lead working groups focused on in-vehicle video streaming, human-machine interface (HMI), digital advertising, and content distribution. - Publish research and best practices on software-defined vehicles (SDV) and next-generation in-car digital experiences. - Represent CVTA at global industry events, panels, and roundtables. - Support go-to-market strategies and monetization models for connected vehicle
Apr 13, 2026 · via dbusiness.com
As the NAB Show 2026 returns to Las Vegas April 18 through 22, radio and audio professionals will find a packed agenda of sessions aimed at navigating the industry’s most pressing challenges—from artificial intelligence and podcast growth to revenue strategy and evolving distribution platforms. At the center of that conversation is the NAB Small and Medium Market Radio Forum, set for Sunday, April 19 in North Hall. Designed for broadcasters in markets ranked 51 and below, the forum will bring together operators for a focused afternoon of idea-sharing tailored to stations where resources, staffing and revenue models differ sharply from larger markets. The session opens with a panel on AI featuring Sun Sachs and communications attorney David Oxenford, exploring how automation and emerging tools are reshaping programming, workflows and monetization. From there, peer-driven roundtables will tackle digital sales, social media strategy, community events, high school sports programming and audience growth, along with innovation in the connected car. Organizers say the emphasis is on practical, immediately applicable ideas. Radio programming continues throughout the week as part of the Broadcast Management and Monetization Conference. Among the highlights: “Hot Digital Trends: What to Know About Video, Podcasts and AI,” featuring insights from Amazon ART19 and other digital leaders on where stations should invest as audio consumption becomes increasingly platform-agnostic. Another session, “Music Licensing for Internet Radio with SoundExchange,” will guide broadcasters through the complexities of streaming rights, while “America 250” will outline how stations can leverage the nation’s 250th anniversary for content, community engagement and revenue growth. Technical innovation also plays a key role in radio’s presence at the show. The Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference will include sessions on digital audio workflows, IP-based distribution and the growing importance of connected car platforms, alongside broader discussions on AI-driven automation, cloud-native infrastructure and next-generation
Apr 13, 2026 · via insideradio.com