Lauren Fix
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automotive of all aspects, energy and lifestyle trends in relation to transportation.
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Articles by Lauren Fix
Collin Sewell and Jason Willis acquire Willis Automotive’s 11 Iowa locations
Collin Sewell and Jason Willis acquired Willis Automotive’s 11 Iowa locations from Rich Willis and Willis Automotive. The transaction includes Lexus, Volvo Cars, Land Rover, Cadillac, Infiniti and Mini dealerships in Des Moines, Chevrolet in Granger, Nissan in Urbandale, two pre-owned dealerships in Waukee and Urbandale, and a Jaguar authorized service location in Des Moines.
Will gas prices drop or is it all about the midterms?
The views and opinions expressed by Lauren Fix are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CBT News. Sixty-five BILLION barrels of Venezuelan oil. More crude moving through global shipping routes. States cutting fuel taxes. Washington has plenty of reasons to promise cheaper fuel, but American drivers don’t fill their tanks with promises. They pay with real money, and every trip to the gas station is a reminder that energy costs still matter.
2026 Toyota Prius: The Prius gets its personality back
The Toyota Prius used to be the car you bought with your head, not necessarily your heart. Fuel economy was the priority, and everything else came second. That has changed. The 2026 Toyota Prius Limited still delivers the fuel economy buyers expect, but now it looks sporty, has real performance and comes loaded with technology. For the first time in a long time, the Prius is a car you can actually want, not just a car you buy to save fuel. The biggest change is the way the Prius looks.
BARGAIN BUYER BEWARE: That cheap car could cost you thousands more
We’ll keep you informed with top stories for conservatives who want to become informed decision makers. NewslettersStandardsAdvertise That bargain price on a car may be nothing more than bait. You see the ad, compare the numbers, and make the trip to the dealership. Then come the mandatory packages, dealer fees, and discounts you may never qualify for. Suddenly, the price that got you through the door is nowhere near the price you're expected to pay.
BARGAIN BUYER BEWARE: That cheap car could cost you thousands more
That bargain price on a car may be nothing more than bait. You see the ad, compare the numbers, and make the trip to the dealership. Then come the mandatory packages, dealer fees, and discounts you may never qualify for. Suddenly, the price that got you through the door is nowhere near the price you're expected to pay. If you have financing arranged, say so before visiting. Confirm whether the quoted price changes if you use your own lender.
Lani Automotive Group acquires Mount Pleasant Chevrolet GMC CDJR in Iowa
Lani Automotive Group acquired Mount Pleasant Chevrolet GMC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, from Coleman Automotive Group, giving owners Sam Saghbini and Sean Veilani their first franchised dealership. The dealership will retain its name and continue operating at its current location. Coleman, which purchased the dealership in 2025, is focusing on acquiring larger dealerships in larger markets.
Lani Automotive Group acquires Mount Pleasant Chevrolet GMC CDJR in Iowa
Lani Automotive Group acquires Mount Pleasant Chevrolet GMC CDJR in Iowa Image source: Performance Brokerage Services Lani Automotive Group acquired Mount Pleasant Chevrolet GMC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, from Coleman Automotive Group, giving owners Sam Saghbini and Sean Veilani their first franchised dealership. The dealership will retain its name and continue operating at its current location.
Stivers Automotive Group acquires Kia of Owings Mills from Asbury
Stivers Automotive Group acquired Kia of Owings Mills in Owings Mills, Maryland, and its related real estate from Asbury Automotive Group Inc. on October 19, 2026. The acquisition gives Stivers its first Kia dealership and entry into the Mid-Atlantic region. For Asbury, the sale is part of its efforts to direct resources toward core operations and expansion opportunities.
Stivers Automotive Group acquires Kia of Owings Mills from Asbury
Stivers Automotive Group acquires Kia of Owings Mills from Asbury Image source: Stivers Kia of Owings Mills Stivers Automotive Group acquired Kia of Owings Mills in Owings Mills, Maryland, and its related real estate from Asbury Automotive Group Inc. on October 19, 2026. The acquisition gives Stivers its first Kia dealership and entry into the Mid-Atlantic region. For Asbury, the sale is part of its efforts to direct resources toward core operations and expansion opportunities.
KILL-SWITCH UPDATE: 5 years later, error-prone tech could still strand sober drivers
Nearly five years ago, Congress ordered the federal government to develop technology that could prevent you from operating your vehicle if the car determines that you are impaired.But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — the agency responsible for deciding how that technology must wo...
KILL-SWITCH UPDATE: 5 years later, error-prone tech could still strand sober drivers
Nearly five years ago, Congress ordered the federal government to develop technology that could prevent you from operating your vehicle if the car determines that you are impaired. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — the agency responsible for deciding how that technology must work — has yet to issue regulations. It hasn't even formally proposed them.
KILL-SWITCH UPDATE: 5 years later, error-prone tech could still strand sober drivers
But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — the agency responsible for deciding how that technology must work — has yet to issue regulations. It hasn't even formally proposed them. As NHTSA itself noted, stopping a vehicle in a traffic lane could create 'significant unintended consequences.' And now the NHTSA has acknowledged the problem that should concern every driver: The technology isn't reliable enough.
The kill-switch law: What Congress actually passed
The federal government has already taken a step toward requiring technology that could affect whether you are allowed to operate your own vehicle. In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by President Joe Biden on November 15 of that year.
2026 Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury: First-class luxury
The 2026 Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury is an unusual combination of first-class luxury and genuine off-road capability. Starting at $142,550, it delivers the kind of rear-seat experience you’d expect from a chauffeur-driven luxury vehicle while retaining the rugged hardware needed to tackle serious terrain. The biggest difference with the Ultra Luxury is the cabin. This is a four-seat SUV, not a three-row family hauler.
Dobbs Family Automotive acquires two Asheville dealerships from Fields Auto Group
Dobbs Family Automotive acquired Fields Mazda and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Asheville from Fields Auto Group in Asheville, North Carolina. The purchase brings the Memphis-based buyer into the Asheville market and increases its dealership count to 14 across eight states. Fields will concentrate its Asheville operations on its BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover dealerships. Kerrigan Advisors served as the sell-side advisor.
Dobbs Family Automotive acquires two Asheville dealerships from Fields Auto Group
Dobbs Family Automotive acquires two Asheville dealerships from Fields Auto Group Image source: Fields Mazda Asheville Dobbs Family Automotive acquired Fields Mazda and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Asheville from Fields Auto Group in Asheville, North Carolina. The purchase brings the Memphis-based buyer into the Asheville market and increases its dealership count to 14 across eight states. Fields will concentrate its Asheville operations on its BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover dealerships.
The car price scam: Dealers under fire over hidden fees
That bargain price on a new car may be nothing more than bait. You see the ad, compare the numbers, and make the trip to the dealership. Then come the mandatory packages, dealer fees, and discounts you may never qualify for. Suddenly, the price that got you through the door is nowhere near the price you’re expected to pay. Now, the Federal Trade Commission is going after dealerships accused of these practices, and the numbers are hard to ignore.
GM killed the oil dipstick. That's not progress. Original
When you pop the hood of a new pickup truck, there's something you won't find any more: the oil dipstick. General Motors has confirmed that its new sixth-generation 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter V8 engines, coming to the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, will no longer have a conventional dipstick. Instead, drivers will check the oil level on a digital display inside the truck. I still check my tires with a pressure gauge, even though my vehicles have tire-pressure monitoring systems.
Spreen Automotive Group acquires Volkswagen of Murrieta from Hendrick Automotive Group
Spreen Automotive Group acquired Volkswagen of Murrieta in Murrieta, California, and its related real estate from Hendrick Automotive Group on October 19, 2026. The purchase adds Spreen’s first Volkswagen franchise and follows its previous acquisitions of Acura and Honda dealerships from Hendrick in Riverside and Corona, California, respectively. The Presidio Group, through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC, served as Hendrick’s exclusive M&A advisor.
Spreen Automotive Group acquires Volkswagen of Murrieta from Hendrick Automotive Group
Spreen Automotive Group acquires Volkswagen of Murrieta from Hendrick Automotive Group Image source: Volkswagen of Murrieta Spreen Automotive Group acquired Volkswagen of Murrieta in Murrieta, California, and its related real estate from Hendrick Automotive Group on October 19, 2026. The purchase adds Spreen’s first Volkswagen franchise and follows its previous acquisitions of Acura and Honda dealerships from Hendrick in Riverside and Corona, California, respectively.
Your Vehicle Is a National Security Risk From China Original
What if the next national-security threat isn’t coming through your front door, but through your driveway? Your car can collect sensitive data, communicate with outside networks, and rely on software that most drivers know nothing about. Now Congress is sounding the alarm over connected-vehicle technology tied to China and other foreign adversaries. If a hostile government could exploit those connections, the stakes go far beyond your privacy.
Symdon Auto Group acquires Brodhead Chevrolet from Home Run Auto Group
Symdon Auto Group acquired Brodhead Chevrolet in Brodhead, Wisconsin, from Home Run Auto Group, which had owned the dealership since 2017. The acquisition adds to Symdon’s operations in Evansville, New Glarus and Monticello, Wisconsin, with plans to share business office resources and infrastructure across dealerships. Mach10 Automotive served as the exclusive advisor to both the buyer and seller. Financial terms and the closing date were not disclosed.
Are cheaper vehicles FINALLY here? GM drops dipsticks & hybrids crush EVs
As the automotive retail sector navigates shifting consumer preferences, fluctuating fuel costs, and evolving vehicle design, franchise dealers and industry leaders must adjust their operational strategies to remain competitive. On the latest episode of The Drive, hosts Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer analyzed several emerging operational, supply chain, and retail trends currently reshaping the automotive landscape.
Capital Automotive Group acquires six dealerships and collision center from Larry Cloninger
Capital Automotive Group acquires six dealerships and collision center from Larry Cloninger Capital Automotive Group has acquired six dealerships and a collision center from retiring dealer Larry Cloninger, with the transaction fully closing on September 29, 2026. The deal includes five dealerships in North Carolina and one in South Carolina, with all six stores adopting Capital branding.
BLINDED BY THE LIGHTS: Can Washington finally save American drivers from headlight hell?
If you drive at night, you know the problem. An SUV approaches from the opposite direction, and suddenly its headlights hit you like a spotlight. You squint, look toward the edge of the road, and hope you can still see your lane. If a lifted pickup is riding behind you, your mirrors can become another source of blinding glare. When you cannot see clearly behind the wheel, that is more than an annoyance. It is a safety concern.
BLINDED BY THE LIGHTS: Can Washington finally save American drivers from headlight hell?
If you drive at night, you know the problem. An SUV approaches from the opposite direction, and suddenly its headlights hit you like a spotlight. You squint, look toward the edge of the road, and hope you can still see your lane. If a lifted pickup is riding behind you, your mirrors can become another source of blinding glare. When you cannot see clearly behind the wheel, that is more than an annoyance. It is a safety concern.
China in your car? Why your vehicle is a national security risk
What if the next national-security threat isn’t coming through your front door, but through your driveway? Your car can collect sensitive data, communicate with outside networks, and rely on software that most drivers know nothing about. Now Congress is sounding the alarm over connected-vehicle technology tied to China and other foreign adversaries. If a hostile government could exploit those connections, the stakes go far beyond your privacy.
Washington’s headlight fail: Drivers are getting blinded
If you drive at night, you know the problem. An SUV approaches from the opposite direction, and suddenly its headlights hit you like a spotlight. You squint, look toward the edge of the road, and hope you can still see your lane. If a lifted pickup is riding behind you, your mirrors can become another source of blinding glare. When you cannot see clearly behind the wheel, that is more than an annoyance. It is a safety concern.
Volkswagen bet big on EVs. Now it's making room for gas-powered SUVs. Original
Volkswagen spent years preparing for an electric future. Now it's clearing space on the assembly line for more gas-powered SUVs. In April, the German automaker announced it would stop building its ID.4 electric crossover at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant. The factory would instead concentrate on higher-volume models, particularly the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The Atlas has always had one big advantage over many of its three-row competitors: space.
Is your car reading your texts? Only the auto industry knows for sure
Your car may know more about you than you realize. A series of federal lawsuits involving Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, and Ford alleged that vehicle infotainment systems downloaded and permanently stored private text messages and call logs from phones connected to the car. For some users, GM collected precise location information as often as every three seconds. The cases were dismissed. But not because a court established that the technology couldn't do what the plaintiffs claimed.
GM had big plans to move past Apple CarPlay. Drivers had other ideas. Original
If you don’t buy it, they’re not selling it. I say this all the time: Consumers have more power over the auto industry than they realize. For many drivers, CarPlay isn't an exciting feature anymore. It's plumbing. You connect the phone and expect your stuff to appear. Automakers can announce grand plans for the future. Engineers can decide they’ve come up with something better. Executives can explain why the technology they want to give us is really what we wanted all along.
Your car may be recording your texts – and selling your driving data
Your car may be collecting far more than the miles on your odometer. Depending on the vehicle and connected services, it can capture information about where you drive, how you drive, and even information pulled from your phone. And the disturbing part isn’t simply that the data exists. It’s where that data can go.
6 modern car technologies that make driving worse Original
There is a strange thing happening to modern cars. They keep getting more advanced. They also keep getting more annoying. There is a reason physical knobs and switches survived for so long. You can find them by touch. I’m not talking about technology in general. Modern safety systems have unquestionably prevented crashes and saved lives. Innovations like backup cameras and blind-spot monitoring are genuinely helpful. I’m not interested in going back to drum brakes and lap belts.
The car dealer looks real. The website is a lie
You found the car. The price is right, the pictures look great, the VIN checks out and the dealership website looks completely legitimate. There is only one problem: the dealership may not actually be selling the car. The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers that scammers are cloning legitimate dealership websites, copying logos, inventory, photographs and even customer testimonials. Artificial intelligence is making those fake businesses even harder to spot.
2027 Hyundai Tucson: Hyundai just changed the Tucson game
Hyundai chose the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop for the global reveal of its all-new 2027 Tucson, and the message was clear: this is not just an update to one of Hyundai’s best-selling SUVs. The new Tucson is designed to push the model further into the mainstream with more space, new hybrid technology, a dramatically upgraded digital experience and, for the first time, a serious off-road-focused XRT PRO.
First New York wants you to drive less. Then it wants to tax every mile. Original
On a recent episode of “The Drive,” my co-host Karl Brauer and I got into a discussion about a pair of bills being considered in my home state of New York. One sets a goal of reducing driving across the entire state by 20%. The other would tax certain fuel-efficient vehicles by the mile and require an electronic device in the car to keep track.
Car makers just saved BILLIONS in costs — but will buyers see the savings? Original
Attention car buyers: For once, Washington has some good news for you. The federal government has finalized a major change to fuel-economy rules that could make vehicles less expensive for automakers to build. The new standards are projected to produce a fleet-wide average of about 34.9 mpg by model year 2031, down from the 50.4 mpg trajectory under the previous rules.
Good news for car buyers: Washington just cut a massive cost form building cars
For once, there is some good news coming out of Washington for people trying to buy a car. The federal government just finalized a major change to fuel-economy rules that could make it less expensive for automakers to build vehicles. The 2031 fleetwide target is dropping from the previous 50.4 mpg trajectory to 34.9 mpg. The Transportation Department estimates the change could reduce the average upfront cost of a new vehicle by about $1,300 and save Americans roughly $138 billion over five years.
2026 Hyundai Venue: Small SUV, big value
Finding an affordable new vehicle has become increasingly difficult, especially for buyers who want the versatility of an SUV. The 2026 Hyundai Venue makes a strong case that you don’t have to spend $30,000 or more to get a well-equipped, modern crossover. Starting at just $20,550, the Venue is one of the most affordable SUVs available today. More importantly, Hyundai doesn’t make buyers sacrifice the features that matter most just to reach that price.
An Electric Motorhome That Still Runs on Gas
The RV industry is taking a serious step toward electrification, but Entegra Coach isn't betting everything on a giant battery. Its new Embark Class A motorhome uses electric power for propulsion, but adds a gasoline-powered range extender when the battery needs help. That could make it one of the more practical approaches yet to electrifying a vehicle designed to travel long distances and spend time far from charging stations.
An Electric Motorhome That Still Runs on Gas
An Entegra Coach motorhome that uses electric power for propulsion but is augmented with a gas-powered range extender. (Photo courtesy of Entegra Coach) The RV industry is taking a serious step toward electrification, but Entegra Coach isn't betting everything on a giant battery. Its new Embark Class A motorhome uses electric power for propulsion, but adds a gasoline-powered range extender when the battery needs help.
Automakers were ready to kill the gas car. Buyers had other ideas. Original
Remember when the gasoline engine was living on borrowed time? Automakers were announcing ambitious electric-vehicle plans, governments were setting targets and deadlines, and consumers were repeatedly told that the future of the automobile had already been decided. The only real question seemed to be how quickly we would get there. Gasoline vehicles weren't merely going to lose market share. At some brands, they were supposed to disappear. Cadillac was among the most aggressive.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport review: Is this the best value midsize SUV?
Volkswagen continues to strengthen its SUV lineup with the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport SE, a midsize two-row crossover that blends bold styling with impressive interior space and a long list of standard features. While many automakers are stripping content from entry-level trims, Volkswagen has taken the opposite approach.
Welcome to the new traffic stop, where it's your word against AI's Original
Imagine being accused of a crime because a camera spotted your car near the scene. The camera wasn't wrong. Your car really was there. But you didn't commit the crime. The police, however, are so confident in their technology that they seem to be treating your guilt as an open-and-shut case. Isaacs said she was home asleep when troopers arrived at 4:45 in the morning and told her she had killed three people. Chrisanna Elser doesn't have to imagine it.
Crossroads Automotive Group acquires Bartow Ford in first Florida deal
Crossroads Automotive Group acquires Bartow Ford in first Florida deal Image source: Bartow Ford Crossroads Automotive Group acquired Bartow Ford in Bartow, Florida, from Benny Robles Jr. and partners Rob Kendrick, Mike Bedenbaugh Jr., Ian Whiteside and Carlos Sandoval on September 3. The acquisition gives the Wake Forest, North Carolina-based group its first Florida store and 15th Ford dealership; it also owns 17 dealerships in North and South Carolina.
The new traffic stop: How AI mistakes can send you to jail
What if you could prove you weren’t driving a car when it committed a traffic violation and still get the ticket? That sounds ridiculous, but it happened to Jacob Rockwell. He was in Alabama when a camera in Pensacola photographed his vehicle running a red light. The city sent him a $158 citation. Rockwell said he wasn’t there, yet the case was ultimately upheld after a hearing. Think about what that means.
Is charging your EV really cheaper than buying gas? Original
If you drive an EV, you have probably heard one argument over and over: Whatever you pay for the car, you'll save money charging it. That can certainly be true if you charge at home, particularly if you have access to inexpensive off-peak electricity. But once you depend on public fast chargers, the math can look very different.
2026 BMW M2 CS: Shaper, faster, and built for driving purists
BMW has taken its already entertaining M2 and turned the performance dial up another notch with the 2026 M2 CS. Lighter, more powerful, and engineered with serious track capability, the newest Competition Sport model delivers the kind of driving experience enthusiasts crave. While the lack of a manual transmission will disappoint some loyal BMW fans, the improvements in power, handling, and chassis tuning make this the most focused M2 ever built.
The truth about ‘American made’ cars – it’s all a lie!
What if the biggest foreign influence in your car isn’t visible on the badge? Americans are being warned that Chinese automotive technology can create national-security risks, yet some of the world’s biggest automakers increasingly rely on Chinese companies for batteries, software, components and manufacturing. Now Washington is warning Ford about that dependence while Congress considers restrictions on foreign technology and greater consumer control over vehicle data. Something doesn’t add up.
California is coming for your tires next Original
Most drivers don't spend much time thinking about tire regulations. You buy the tire that fits your vehicle, your driving, and your budget. If you live somewhere with real winters, you may switch to snow tires. If you drive a performance car, you probably care a lot about grip and handling. California has other ideas. Someone driving an SUV has different requirements from someone commuting in a small hybrid. A Mustang owner who takes his car to the track has different priorities again.
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