Las Vegas, Nevada – February 2026 – Dave Cantin Group (DCG), a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory companyto retail automotive groups and their owners, shared its 2026 outlook from the floor of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in Las Vegas. In a special edition of In the Driver’s Seat, DCG Chairman and CEO Dave Cantin discussed growing dealer confidence, the accelerating pace of consolidation, and how a smarter, data-driven strategy is reshaping dealership growth heading into 2026.
Reflecting on 2025, Cantin highlighted the resilience of both DCG and the broader dealer community after navigating several years of disruption.
“Over the last few years, dealers have shown incredible resilience and tenacity,” said Cantin. “This is an evolving industry, and if your business is evolving, you’re growing. I’m proud of our team and proud of the industry for the evolution that we’ve all had together.”
Dealer Sentiment Signals Strong Momentum for 2026
Cantin described NADA as the industry’s annual bellwether, where early-year signals often set the tone for the months ahead. This year’s show reflected renewed confidence across retail operations and M&A activity.
“There’s a lot of buzz here,” Cantin said. “Consolidation is at an all-time high, but more importantly, dealers are feeling positive. They’re confident.”
Smarter, More Strategic Buyers Reshaping M&A
According to Cantin, buyers entering 2026 are approaching acquisitions with far greater strategic discipline. Rather than simply adding rooftops, acquirers are evaluating opportunities based on geography, brand mix, and how each transaction strengthens their overall portfolio.
“Buyers today are much more strategic than ever before,” Cantin explained. “They’re not just looking to add a dealership. They’re thinking about what brands fit their portfolio and approaching the concept of acquisition differently.”
Data and AI Powering the Next Phase of Dealer Growth
Cantin noted that improved access to real-time market intelligence and AI-driven tools is enabling dealers to evaluate performance, benchmark competitors, and pursue growth with greater precision. Through DCG’s proprietary JumpIQ platform, dealers now have access to insights that were previously unavailable across the industry.
“Data is essential,” Cantin said. “Dealers never had real-time data to gauge not just their business but their competitors. Today, those tools allow them to operate at a higher level and grow more strategically.”
A Celebratory Moment for an Industry on the Move
As DCG marked its seventh annual NADA celebration, Cantin said the energy at this year’s event reflects broader optimism across the industry.
“The industry is buzzing right now,” Cantin said. “2026 is going to be a spectacular year for the automotive industry.”
For additional perspective on DCG’s outlook for 2026 and how smarter, data-driven strategies are shaping dealership growth, read DCG’s featured interview with Automotive News: