Pen and paper, but please no cursive: Widespread cyberattack sends car dealers back to 20th century

Jun 21, 2024
A hack on CDK Global, the system many dealerships use to track sales and service, is forcing them back to the analog era.
Fifteen thousand auto dealers across the U.S. and Canada were affected by the CDK Global hack. Service had not been restored as of Friday.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Cars: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em

Aug 15, 2023
Affordability has broken down, but the costs of not having your own vehicle are even higher for many. Marin Cogan of Vox explains.
The average new car costs a record $48,000 — up 25% between May 2020 and May 2023. During the same time, used car prices soared 50%.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Ford wants more online, made-to-order sales. What does that mean for dealerships?

Aug 18, 2021
It's a tradeoff for dealerships. Lower inventory often means lower risk ... but is it an opportunity for competition?
A row of new Ford trucks at a Ford dealership in Colma, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

U.N.'s urgent call for emissions cuts means fewer cars, experts say

Aug 9, 2021
Climate scientists say in the U.S., the transportation sector is the largest source of carbon emissions. Expanding public transit is key, they say.
Investments in public transit could help curb U.S. emissions. Above, a subway train arrives at a Brooklyn station in New York City in November 2020.
Spencer Platt via Getty Images

Why used cars are getting so expensive

Jun 4, 2021
Mark Kugman of Kugman Motors in St. Louis has two answers — one simple and one more complicated.
A used car for sale in El Cerrito, California on March 15, 2021.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Despite pandemic-driven uncertainty, Americans are buying new cars

Feb 10, 2021
The price difference between a new car and a used car isn't as wide as it was before the pandemic.
To some consumers, buying a new car is a way of reclaiming control and increasing safety during the pandemic.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Rocky past in tow, Fisker promises a new electric SUV

Mar 28, 2019
Industry adviser Chelsea Sexton explains why she's skeptical.
A logo is seen on a Fisker EMotion all-electric vehicle that uses LiDAR technology at CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 9, 2018.
David McNew/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

What’s behind the used car sales boom?

Aug 21, 2018
Used car prices hit a record high this summer according to recent data from the business and research firm Cox Automotive. Economists there found car prices for July, which is usually a slow month, were up 5.1 percent from the same month last year. Why is this happening? Click the audio player above to hear the […]
Used cars are displayed on a sales lot on June 9, 2011 in San Rafael, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tesla's China plant will serve the world's biggest electric car market

Jul 11, 2018
This week, Tesla announced its plans to build a plant in Shanghai amid trade tensions between the U.S. and China
A view of a fully electric Tesla car on an assembly line at the new Tesla Motors car factory in Tilburg, the Netherlands, during the opening and launch of the new factory, on Aug. 22, 2013.
Guus Schoonewille/AFP/Getty Images

Automakers fret over threat of Trump tariffs

Jul 3, 2018
Car sales figures for last month are coming out today, but automakers are focusing on the future, especially since President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported cars. GM says if tariffs land, its cars will cost up to $6,000 more, and the company would have to lay off workers. […]