Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners, joined the Car Dealership Guy Podcast to discuss the forces shaping dealership M&A and the broader auto retail landscape heading into 2026. The conversation highlighted how buyer sentiment, brand strength, and future profitability expectations are increasingly influencing valuations.

A key theme was the importance of confidence in long-term earnings. As Alan noted, dealership “blue sky” is ultimately driven by how buyers view the future of a franchise, particularly amid rising uncertainty and evolving competitive dynamics.

Key takeaways:

• Buyer confidence is the primary driver of dealership valuations
• Blue sky values are increasingly sensitive to external risks and uncertainty
• Dealer profitability remains elevated, supporting continued buy-sell activity
• Top-performing brands command premium multiples, while others face pressure
• Private buyers continue to drive the majority of acquisitions
• Brand strength and product cycles are critical to long-term value