Melissa Burden
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Editor, Retail Coverage at Automotive News. Former Buy-Sell Editor and Reporter at Automotive News and General Motors Co. reporter at The Detroit News.
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Articles by Melissa Burden
U.S. medium & heavy truck sales, May & YTD 2026
Unit sales of medium and heavy trucks by gross vehicle weight in the U.S. listed by manufacturer for the current and previous year periods
Audit trade terms to manage tariff risk
We and our partners: (30) process personal data such as IP Address, Unique ID, browsing data for: Store and/or access information on a device | Personalised advertising, advertising measurement, and audience research | Personalised content | Content measurement and services development | Use precise geolocation data | Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Some partners do not ask for your consent to process your data, instead, they rely on their legitimate business interest.
End of Escape shows quality isn’t Ford’s only issue
Carvana Co. has opened a new-car test drive center at its Dallas Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram store, which it hopes will create a less stressful new-car buying process for consumers.
How Carvana’s cube and vehicle playground could shake up new-vehicle dealership sales
DALLAS — Online used-vehicle giant Carvana Co. is looking to disrupt the new-car sales process with a vehicle playground, test-drive system and a four-sided 10-by-10-foot cube in the showroom — all with online sales and delivery possible.
Dealership buy-sell database updates: Group 1 sells store, 5 other top 150 groups make deals
Group 1 Automotive Inc. sold a Mercedes-Benz dealership in California, while five more top 150 auto retailers made moves in the latest buy-sell deals tracked by Automotive News.
What's the latest on dealership buy-sells, AI, affordability?
It was a busy week for automotive retail coverage in Automotive News, from reports on the newest dealership technology to a large section devoted to stories about the F&I office to a robust breakdown of stores being bought and sold. Let’s jump in.
Stellantis car dealerships, California deals lead Q4 transactions
While the number of dealership buy-sells in the fourth quarter was roughly the same as the 2024 period, the number of dealerships and franchises involved in those deals increased.
More buyers than sellers for strong 2026 dealership acquisition market, experts say
LAS VEGAS — The dealership buy-sell market will continue to be strong in 2026, as demand for acquisitions remains high, industry experts told dealers this week on the sidelines of NADA Show 2026.
Canada light-vehicle sales by nameplate, Jan. 2026
Unit sales of cars and light trucks by nameplate in Canada listed alphabetically under brand and automaker for the current and previous year periods; table reflects Canada sales for automakers that report monthly
NADA supports blocking Chinese automakers from coming to the U.S.
LAS VEGAS — The head of the National Automobile Dealers Association said the trade group supports blocking Chinese automakers from entering the U.S.
Punish those who drink and drive, not the auto industry
National Automobile Dealers Association CEO Mike Stanton said, however, that the group would not interfere with dealers adding Chinese franchises.
See which suppliers have parts in the new Nissan Leaf
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The third-generation Nissan Leaf is built in Sunderland, England.
By Jack Walsworth Verified, Douglas A. Bolduc Verified, Melissa Burden Verified, Hans Greimel Verified
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Automotive News
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Daily 5 report for Jan. 21: What’s up with Toyota’s midengine sports car plan — really?
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We and our partners: (8) process personal data such as IP Address, Unique ID, browsing data for: Store and/or access information on a device | Personalised advertising, advertising measurement, and audience research | Content based on limited data and content measurement | Personalised content | Develop and improve services | Use precise geolocation data | Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
By Jack Walsworth Verified, Douglas A. Bolduc Verified, Melissa Burden Verified, Hans Greimel Verified
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Automotive News
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Doug Ford calls for boycott of Chinese EVs that will enter Canada under Carney deal
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Canadians to boycott Chinese-made electric vehicles when they are allowed back into the country at a tariff rate of 6.1 per cent, agreed to under a compromise recently struck by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
By Jack Walsworth Verified, Douglas A. Bolduc Verified, Melissa Burden Verified, Hans Greimel Verified
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Automotive News Canada
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U.S. loyalty rates by make, as of Nov. 2025
U.S. loyalty rates by make as of a certain date.
Incoming NADA Chairman Rob Cochran to fight direct-to-consumer sales, zero in on AI, policy issues in 2026
From fighting direct-to consumer sales, working to support the proposed changes and reduction to corporate average fuel economy standards and monitoring artificial intelligence in auto retail, Rob Cochran, incoming National Automobile Dealers Association chairman, has a lot on his 2026 agenda.
Dealership buy-sell database updates: Multiple Nissan, CDJR stores purchased in Q4 deals
Four Nissan and three Stellantis dealerships were among stores that traded hands across six states in the latest buy-sell deals tracked by Automotive News.
North America car and truck assembly plant directory – 12/15/25
List of car and truck assembly plants in North America
Dealership buy-sell database updates: Group 1 Automotive sells Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram store, 1 of 5 Stellantis stores to trade hands
Group 1 Automotive Inc. sold a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership — one of five Stellantis stores to trade hands in the latest buy-sell deals tracked by Automotive News.
Gerry McGovern exits Jaguar Land Rover as Tata Motrors tightens grip
LONDON — Jaguar Land Rover’s design chief, Gerry McGovern, has left the automaker amid a shakeup instigated by new CEO PB Balaji, according to a report.
Dealership buy-sell database updates: Lithia Motors, Hendrick Automotive among sellers in latest tracked deals across 8 states
Two of the country’s largest auto retailers were among sellers in the latest buy-sell deals tracked by Automotive News.
Bonus episode: Hollywood’s century-old love for cars; rare earths challenges
Jonathan Eisen, curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, talks about the 100-plus-year-old partnership between the automotive and film industries. Plus, Cullen Hendrix of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, discusses the U.S. government’s role in any attempt to create a domestic rare earths supply chain.
Toyota, Nissan bet big on North America; Unifor threatens action
Automotive News’ Omari Gardner and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson talk about major moves by Japanese automakers this week to boost manufacturing and sales in the U.S. and Canada amid tariffs.
North America production downtime - 11/17/25
North America car and truck assembly plant downtime for the current week
Dealership buy-sell database updates: Asbury Automotive sells two stores, Lithia buys two in deals tracked across nine states
Asbury Automotive Group Inc. sold two Midwest dealerships, Lithia Motors Inc. expanded its luxury portfolio and a private group bought three dealerships — all in the latest dealership buy-sell transactions tracked by Automotive News.
North America car and truck assembly plant directory - 11/15/25
List of car and truck assembly plants in North America
Lithia Motors adds expected $450 million in revenue with acquisition of California dealerships
Lithia Motors Inc. purchased two Southern California dealerships that it said are expected to generate a combined $450 million in annual revenue.
North America production downtime - 11/10/25
Honda’s EV bet backfires, hurts more than tariffs, tips autos into the red
Top 5 Canadian auto stories this week: Auto shows matter; dealer margins narrow; OpenRoad expands; more
A new study challenges the notion that auto shows are relics of the past.
Chris Urmson has led a methodical march for self-driving technology
At Aurora Innovation, Chris Urmson has spent the past eight years honing autonomous driving capabilities for long-haul trucking. But his commitment to the technology goes back much further.
Ralph Nader invented auto safety as we know it. He’s not done yet
Ralph Nader with a copy of his 1965 book "Unsafe at Any Speed." Nader’s advocacy led to the creation of the Department of Transportation and NHTSA. At age 91, Nader says he believes the auto industry’s push for vehicle safety has stalled and that consumers are losing freedoms.
Don’t bet against Elon Musk: How extreme risks shook the auto industry
While Tesla’s global sales have declined because of an aging lineup and what analysts call brand damage from Elon Musk’s right-wing political shift, its accomplishments remain unprecedented in modern history.
Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric self-starter made driving easier, safer
Carvana co-founders Ernie Garcia, Ben Huston and Ryan Keeton changed how used vehicles are bought and sold when they co-founded the delivery- and pickup-handling retailer in 2012.
South Korea’s leadership vows support for Koreans arrested in Hyundai-LG immigration raid
The arrest of some 475 workers at the plant, part of President Donald Trump’s escalating crackdown on immigrants, was the largest single-site enforcement operation in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s history.
Carvana co-founders shoulder skepticism to disrupt used-vehicle sales
Carvana has made significant share gains in the U.S. used-vehicle market in the 13 years since its founding by, from left, Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton, CEO Ernie Garcia and COO Ben Huston.
Auto brand loyalty drops in 1st half of 2025, S&P Global says
The Chevrolet Equinox was the model loyalty leader in the first half of 2025 at 43 percent.
Former employee of Colorado dealerships accused of embezzling more than $180,000
A former employee of Greeley Volkswagen in Greeley, Colo., has been accused of embezzling more than $180,000.
Daily 5 report for Sept. 5: Upon further review, elevated auto industry tariffs are still the new normal
Not only are the sectoral tariffs on vehicles and various auto parts excluded from the case against the Trump administration, they’re also likely to remain in place for years, experts said.
Elon Musk made ‘genuine’ threats to quit Tesla in $1 trillion pay package talks
Unlike his 2018 pay package, the new proposal relies on restricted shares rather than options to compensate Elon Musk. These give him additional voting rights as soon as he earns them.
Ford expands rally-inspired trims to Ranger plug-in hybrid pickup, Tourneo electric van
The Ford Ranger MS-RT PHEV gains a wider wheel track, lower ride height and details such as a honeycomb grille and integrated splitter at the front, as well as a ducktail spoiler on the rear tailgate.
U.S. will enforce foreign worker laws, White House says after Hyundai-LG Energy raid that detained 475 workers
U.S. will enforce foreign worker laws, White House says after Hyundai-LG Energy raid that detained 475 workers U.S. immigration authorities arrested 475 workers at the Hyundai-LG Energy joint venture site Sept. 4, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said.
ANC Podcast: Sept. 5, 2025 | The week’s top stories and Subaru’s Brad Evans on EVs, sales, product and more
The long-awaited proposal, designed to incentivize Musk to lead Tesla for years to come, sets a series of ambitious benchmarks he must meet to earn the full payout.
Ford added the most minority dealers in 2024, NAMAD data shows
Ford Motor Co. led the industry in minority-owned dealership gains for the second consecutive year. The automaker has used candidate identification coordinators to help build a roster of potential dealers.
Rivian, VW hiring dozens in Toronto, Vancouver for software-defined vehicle joint venture
While headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., the companies said last year that the partnership will expand to at least three other offices in North America and Europe.
Infiniti offers peek into its future lineup with fanciful concepts at Pebble
The Infiniti QX65 Monograph, planned for the second quarter of 2026, rides on the three-row QX60 platform and features the same upgraded four-cylinder powerplant.
Dealership buy-sell database updates: Transactions across 10 states include 33 stores Asbury bought from Herb Chambers, AutoCanada’s U.S. store sale
Ford joins Tesla in race to revolutionize vehicle assembly again Ford executives believe they've found a better way to build vehicles that they hope to utilize in a race to manufacture affordable EVs.
Here are the 2025 Best Dealerships To Work For
Why market areas are a point of tension between automakers and dealers Tensions are high as the industry waits to see if the government will take action on laws impacting competition.
Tesla faces rocky road from EV maker to robotaxi juggernaut
Tesla said two new vehicles are on track for production next year: the Cybercab robotaxi, shown, and the Semi tractor trailer for the heavy truck market.
Nomination deadline nears for Automotive News Canada 2025 Champions of Diversity
Why market areas are a point of tension between automakers and dealers
AutoNation sees Q2 net income plunge but solid revenue gains
AutoNation reported strong gains in new-vehicle sales, financial services and its service and parts business in the second quarter of 2025.
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