Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners, joined CDG’s Daily Dealer Live to discuss the strategic, regulatory, and market forces shaping automotive retail and dealership valuations as the industry moves toward 2026.

Key Highlights

• OEM direct-to-consumer strategies, including Volkswagen’s Scout initiative, create long-term risk after decades of required dealer investment in brand-specific facilities.
• Franchise dealers remain essential to service, parts availability, customer satisfaction, and long-term brand success.
• Dealership buy-sell activity slowed in 2025, with transaction timelines extended by election uncertainty, tariffs, and brand-specific risk.
• Toyota and Lexus continue to command premium valuations driven by strong margins and high-performing fixed operations.
• Stellantis valuations are stabilizing, while Mazda, Kia, Ford Pro, and Mercedes-Benz are attracting renewed buyer interest.
• Carvana and Amazon reflect growing demand for frictionless vehicle purchasing but do not replace the value of fixed operations and F&I.
• Dealers preparing to sell or acquire benefit from clear strategy, strong profitability, and disciplined financial and capital planning.