Dave Cantin Group

The Publics are confident about their strategies. But the macro-economic and political environment is leaving everyone guessing.
• AutoNation pulled its 2026 outlook slide entirely.
• Asbury and Group 1 declined to issue any quantitative full-year EPS or EBITDA targets.
• Sonic held guidance — but with explicit second-half downside skew.

This isn't routine hedging. It's an unusually direct admission from the most analytically sophisticated operators in the business.

And it lands on top of an affordability picture that was already under pressure:
• Average monthly payments at $750
• Loan terms stretched to a record 84 months
• Consumer sentiment at its lowest level in recorded history

The variables driving consumer behavior: tariffs, interest rates, fuel prices, and purchasing confidence are all still in motion. What's visible in the data right now is not the full picture of what's coming.

But deals are still getting done. Capital is still being deployed. Uncertainty isn't a reason to pause — it's a reason to have a clearer strategy than everyone else.
Contact DCG to discuss what today's market signals mean for your dealership and your options.

Learn MOR: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05GQ2N0

Dave Cantin Group was proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the 32nd Ed Morse MDA Golf Classic, helping raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 8th, 2026, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

DCG has supported this event in the past and was glad to be back with the Ed Morse team in support of MDA’s philanthropic work.

Dave Cantin Group was proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the 32nd Ed Morse MDA Golf Classic, helping raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 8th, 2026, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. In 2024 expansion in Arizona through the acquisition of seven franchised dealerships from Lawley Automotive Group in Sierra Vista, Arizona. DCG also advised the team on a Florida acquisition.

Dave Cantin Group was proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the 32nd Ed Morse MDA Golf Classic, helping raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 8th, 2026, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. In 2024 expansion in Arizona through the acquisition of seven franchised dealerships from Lawley Automotive Group in Sierra Vista, Arizona. DCG also advised the team on a Florida acquisition.

The Ed Morse MDA Golf Classic has become an important annual event for the industry, with past tournaments raising over $402,761 in a single year. Dave Cantin Group was honored to participate and continue supporting both the event and our longstanding collaboration with the Ed Morse team.
L-R: Tom Mila (AutoNation), Joe Beaver (Dave Cantin Group), Luke Murphy (Dave Cantin Group), Chris Huffman (Nova Automotive Group) at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Dave Cantin Group was proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the 32nd Ed Morse MDA Golf Classic, helping raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 8th, 2026, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.s 2024 expansion in Arizona through the acquisition of seven franchised dealerships from Lawley Automotive Group in Sierra Vista, Arizona. DCG also advised the team on a Florida acquisition.

The big public dealer groups are leaning into used. But if you look closer — their strategies couldn't be more different.

- Group 1 is only 11% auction-dependent.
- Lithia's customer-sourced units are generating $2,483 GPU versus $700–$800 from auction.
- Sonic's EchoPark is pulling nearly-new inventory directly from its franchise stores.
- Penske is holding firm at 33 days' supply, strictly 0-to-4-year-old vehicles.
- AutoNation is chasing the $40K+ segment while pulling back on sub-$20K units.

These are completely different bets on where used vehicle margin lives — and a preview of where potential competitive advantage lies for every dealer.

DCG welcomes the opportunity to discuss your used vehicle strategy and what it means for your performance and valuation.

Learn MOR: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05xr1f0



Sources: Q1 2026 public dealer group earnings presentations and filings; Dave Cantin Group Market Outlook Report, February 2026.

What percentage of your gross profit came from fixed ops and F&I last month? You might be leaving money on the table. The largest dealer groups are reorganizing their business models around the service drive:

• Roger Penske is publicly arguing for smaller showrooms and more bays.
• Group 1's fixed absorption is near 95%.
• Sonic broke $90M in a single month of fixed ops gross profit.

This is a story about the market’s direction. And it has real implications for how your dealership performs — and what it's worth.

Ready to take a closer look at your dealership's value in today's market? Contact DCG to get started.

Learn MOR: https://www.davecantingroup.com/market-outlook-report/

Sources: Q1 2026 public dealer group earnings presentations and filings; Dave Cantin Group Market Outlook Report, February 2026.