Automotive news and trends

Contrasting Strategies by CarParts.com and Carvana Highlight Auto Industry Shifts
Ecosystems // October 31, 2024

In the auto parts and retail industry, companies face unique challenges and opportunities as they respond to changing consumer preferences and economic pressures. Recent third-quarter financial results from CarParts.com and Carvana highlight their differing strategies and performances in a competitive environment. As each company works...

Earnings Season Shows Consumer Pressures on Auto Loan Payments
Loans // October 21, 2024

Earnings reports this season, particularly from banks, have taken note of the resilience in consumer spending, especially on debit and credit cards, in various areas of discretionary activity, including dining out and travel. But some stats and commentary from banks also hint at the pressures...

Tesla’s ‘Cybercab’ Event Shows Autonomy Still More Hollywood Than High-Impact
Transportation // October 11, 2024

What has four wheels, two seats, no steering wheel and arrived a few years late? Tesla’s long-awaited robotaxi, which CEO Elon Musk had predicted in 2019 would be launched by 2020. But it wasn’t until this Thursday evening (Oct. 10), in the year 2024, that Musk...

Rising Car Prices Could Mean Stalling Sales for Automakers
Retail // October 01, 2024

For automakers, pre-pandemic sales highs might be in the rearview mirror. As The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday (Oct. 1), the steep price of new vehicles and elevated borrowing costs have left consumers hesitant, suggesting that 2024 could be another year of lukewarm sales for car...

Interviews & Exclusives
Discover Global Network: Connected Devices lead the way to the Future of Commerce

November 04, 2024
From touchless digital payments experiences to connected vehicles, technology provides opportunities for innovation and collaboration across many industries, including payments. Connected devices offer consumers the ability to quickly adopt digital payments. For instance, during the pandemic, consumer behavior started to shift the expectation of integrated experiences. Julius Alexander III, head of emerging payments at Discover® […]

Contrasting Strategies by CarParts.com and Carvana Highlight Auto Industry Shifts

October 31, 2024
In the auto parts and retail industry, companies face unique challenges and opportunities as they respond to changing consumer preferences and economic pressures. Recent third-quarter financial results from CarParts.com and...

Discover Global Network: Payments Are Foundation of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

September 30, 2024
Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a new paradigm of connected experience. The ongoing transformation in the automotive industry is more than just a transition from gasoline to electricity — it’s evolving...

Vroom Completes Business Wind-Down; Shifts Focus to Core Assets

September 23, 2024
In a move to redefine its future, used car digital marketplace Vroom on Tuesday (Sept. 23) said it completed the wind-down of its eCommerce and used vehicle dealership operations and...

Quick Reads
Rising Car Prices Could Mean Stalling Sales for Automakers

October 01, 2024
For automakers, pre-pandemic sales highs might be in the rearview mirror. As The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday (Oct. 1), the steep price of new vehicles and elevated borrowing costs have left consumers hesitant, suggesting that 2024 could be another year of lukewarm sales for car companies. Most major automakers are set to report quarterly earnings […]

Volkswagen Begins Rollout of GenAI-Powered Virtual Assistant for Vehicle Owners

September 24, 2024
Volkswagen of America partnered with Google Cloud to integrate a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual assistant into its myVW mobile app for vehicle owners. The myVW Virtual Assistant is now...

Connected Car Tech From China Faces US Ban

September 22, 2024
The U.S. is reportedly readying a ban on Chinese technology in connected and autonomous cars. That prohibition — borne of national security concerns — from the U.S. Commerce Department is...

Santander Consumer Expands Small Business Offering to Car Dealers

September 16, 2024
Santander Consumer is expanding its small business offering to all auto dealers using its platform. The program lets small business owners and entrepreneurs finance vehicles through the lender’s consumer banking...