The finance panel will dig into the real-world issues that will shape dealership performance in 2026 — from market indicators and shifting buyer demographics to segment resilience and how interest rates are influencing credit approvals and affordability. Panelists will explore the biggest friction points in F&I, the role of OEM-subvented rates, and current trends in defaults, while also addressing inventory-turn expectations, floorplan credit conditions, and the impact of OEM production on cash flow. The discussion will highlight where dealerships can unlock new profit — whether in sales, service, PG&A, or through smarter KPIs — along with strategies to weather a soft first half if rates stay high. The session also covers risk management, financing options for expansion, and evolving consumer payment behaviors, including payment shock and emerging models such as BNPL and subscriptions.