Kerrigan AdvisorsPrivate± Mixed
relevance
A new survey from Kerrigan Advisors finds US automotive OEM executives increasingly view the dealership model as strengthening, with 59% expecting artificial intelligence to boost dealership profits. The 2026 Kerrigan OEM Survey also reveals that 58% of OEM executives expect manufacturers to bear the majority of US tariff costs, insulating dealer profitability. Consolidation expectations rose sharply, with 45% of executives anticipating fewer dealers in their network within five years, up from 33% in 2025. Despite a softer new vehicle sales outlook, 82% of executives expect dealership blue sky values to remain the same or increase in 2026. On electrification, OEMs project EVs will represent an average of 21% of their sales in five years, more than double the current US market share.