If the FCA-UAW corruption charges are proven, it has to be seen as a rogue action taken by officials intent on enriching themselves.

Leasing fell in the first half of the year, the first such drop since January-June 2012, according to Edmunds. But lack of consumer interest was only part of the reason.

Car dealers need to prepare for a new way of selling as consumers may not desire car ownership in the future.

Data management and consumer behavior tracking companies will gather tons of user and vehicle information in the emerging ecosystem of mobility options. Missing from the forecasts is what role, if any, franchised dealerships will have.

I am updating my dealership. I agree with certain aspects of the manufacturer's plan, but I find it wasteful to replace 5,900 square feet of showroom tile.

I do believe we need a redo in our industry, but I also think the manufacturers have it wrong.

One can feel the stress inherent in the franchise system -- stress that is certainly felt by manufacturers but especially by dealers.

The mistake manufacturers make is they don't allow market-appropriate facilities. What makes sense in a major market can be a financial death sentence in flyover country.

Governments get mad when you fail to comply with their rules and regulations, doubly so when you intentionally break them.

Dealers' being attuned to their local conditions and needs is one of the fundamental benefits of the franchised dealership system. Carmakers never should have forgotten that.

For Volvo and the industry, there may be no turning back from a future not based on internal combustion engines.

Rarely do we talk about a single vehicle being critical to the mission and possibly the survival of a car company. Yet that is a fair description of the Tesla Model 3.

In heavy manufacturing, you don't just dump all those machines and foundries and everything associated with an engine program. So what happens to all that money invested in internal combustion engines?

The Automotive News article "Hyundai's False Start" published in the July 10 issue did not provide a balanced look at Hyundai's NFL partnership. Our marketing strategy has evolved for the modern shopper.

Consumers have long been able to check their credit and get preapproved for financing through a dealership or lender website, but getting approved on-the-go through mobile devices may become many consumers' first choice when considering an auto loan.

Tesla has painted itself into a corner with the new Model 3 sedan, the company's first high-volume vehicle.

Volvo is betting big on electrified vehicles. Time will tell how it fares.

When this debate concludes, regardless of how it concludes, the result will have a major impact on jobs, employment costs and the disposable income of nearly every American. And that will ultimately affect auto sales.

We won't gush over the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, but on this occasion at least, we ought to acknowledge the profound influence this youthful product has had over the century-old auto industry.

Major retailers are rethinking the value of glitzy flagship stores. Should automakers follow suit?

Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson says that the automaker's decision to electrify all its future powertrains provides a clear message to suppliers. "They can count on Volvo as a customer," he said.

One of the several lessons I learned from a flat-tire experience last week was be more aware of my warranty. But an occasional reminder from the dealership or automaker that summarizes common occurrences the warranty covers would go a long way, giving customers more peace of mind and improving their relationships.

It's going to be many years, decades perhaps, until self-driving vehicles integrate safely onto the nation's roads.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, held last weekend in England, has taken over from where Britain's formal auto show left off in 2008 after losing support from automakers.

The biggest volumes earn the attention of suppliers, technology innovators, deal-makers and governments.