If you’re looking for a clear signal about where the most resilient dealership profitability comes from in 2026, listen to Rick Hendrick’s recent one-on-one interview on Presidio’s Full Throttle podcast. In Episode 69, Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, Rick underscores a critical theme that echoes across the industry:

In today’s automotive market, relying solely on front-end gross profit is no longer a sustainable strategy. Margin compression, increased transparency, and shifting consumer expectations are forcing dealerships to rethink how they generate and protect profitability. The most successful dealers are not just selling vehicles—they are strategically managing every component of the deal structure to maximize

The automotive retail landscape is shifting faster than many dealers realize. Between rising inflation, evolving compliance standards, and the rapid integration of AI, one thing is becoming clear: the traditional dealership negotiation model is under pressure—and affordability is now at the center of every conversation. Recent industry insights, including those highlighted in CBT News and

If you follow the legal industry, you’ve probably seen the headlines: AI “attorneys” like Harvey and Legora are raising eye‑popping rounds and racing to “reinvent” how law gets done. Big Law is spinning up AI academies for associates, in‑house teams are testing tools as fast as they can get them through compliance, and investors are

In today’s automotive retail environment, the gap between average and exceptional service departments continues to widen. The real difference? Not technology alone, but a relentless focus on efficiency, technician development, and attention to the small details that customers actually notice. Recent coverage from CBT News highlights exactly this dynamic. Dealerships like Toyota of Puyallup and

U.S. gas prices have jumped sharply since the outbreak of war in Iran, and car dealers are feeling the impact on showroom traffic, lead quality, and gross profit. When fuel goes up fast, shopper psychology changes overnight – and if your dealership doesn’t adapt its sales and P&L strategy just as fast, profitability erodes with

Earlier this month, we attended the 2026 Connecticut Dealer Symposium and Membership Luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bristol, Connecticut, hosted by the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association. The event brought together dealership leaders, vendors, and industry professionals for a full day of education, insight, and connection. From artificial intelligence and employment law to market trends,

As a long-standing partner of the automotive community, GW Marketing Services always looks forward to the annual Vermont Auto Conference. This year’s event, which took place on May 28, 2026, delivered what was undoubtedly one of the most vital, timely, and excellent lineups of sessions to date. While we proudly supported the gathering as a

Why this CBT segment matters CBT News recently featured Steve Greenfield, CEO of Automotive Ventures, talking about how AI is “democratizing” software development and reshaping dealer labor costs and profitability. GW Marketing Services takes a view on this: the space can be both fast-paced and confusing, and this is our expert interpretation. Steve argues that

Automotive retail is heading into a 2026 tipping point where OEM discipline, dealer productivity limits, and consumer expectations collide, reshaping who wins in the next cycle. For car dealers, “more volume at any price” is giving way to a more strategic model that trades raw throughput for healthier margins, smarter inventory, and sharper customer experience.​