2026 Pub. 16 Issue 1

2025 turned out to be a solid year for auto retailers, with profitability steady even as Q1’s strong sales softened over the balance of the year. 2026 looks to be more of the same, supported by an uptick in overall economic growth predicted for the year. Vehicle affordability is a risk dealers will be watching throughout the year.

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of automotive mergers and acquisitions (M&A), one thing is certain: valuations matter. Whether you’re considering selling, expanding, planning for succession or even just assessing where you stand in the market, a valuation isn’t just a financial tool; it’s the foundation of strategic decision-making. In a market where timing is everything, having a clear understanding of your dealership’s true value is essential.

H​iring a vehicle transport company can feel overwhelming. Between comparing quotes, navigating terms and trying to verify credentials, there are a lot of important considerations and not a lot of time.

A​rtificial intelligence (AI) has moved from a futuristic concept to a daily operational tool in automotive retail. Dealerships now rely on AI to automate follow‑up, personalize online shopping, optimize inventory and streamline service scheduling. But in Illinois, the rapid adoption of AI intersects with one of the most aggressive state regulatory frameworks in the country. As of Jan. 1, 2026, new legal requirements affect how dealerships can use AI in employment‑related decisions — and many retail tools overlap with those rules.

F​ees associated with the DMV, from registration and plates to taxes, are already line items most car buyers overlook until it comes time to sign the final paperwork. That’s often the first time they see numbers beyond the vehicle’s negotiated price.

M​ost people assume the costliest mistakes in dealership and vehicle processing operations come from mispricing vehicles or trade-ins, but often, the biggest losses stem from inefficiency. Vehicle title processing delays, for instance, create hidden costs that ripple across operations, from paperwork piles and manual errors to compliance concerns. These bottlenecks have slowed down title and registration workflows for decades, delaying customer satisfaction and tying up capital in idle inventory.

V​ehicle titling and registration are complex and can be daunting, with regulations that vary from state to state. It’s challenging to keep up with the changes, let alone implement them correctly, and many dealers aren’t sure who to trust to solve their compliance problems. The current piecemeal solutions in the market leave many compliance gaps for dealers to fall through. The industry needs a unified full-spectrum solution that everyone can count on to keep them connected and protected.