I remember about ten years ago, marketing vendors kept hitting me with the same line: “We stole the best minds from Google!” Supposedly, these folks knew Google’s algorithms inside and out. I even joked with one guy, “If everyone’s hired the Google team, how’s Google still in business?”



Fast forward to today, and here we go again except now it's artificial intelligence instead of search engines. Suddenly, every vendor is boasting they’ve got ex-OpenAI,…

Sale of three dealerships in Utah, the second fastest growing state in the US and a top auto retail market, marks Kerrigan Advisors’ 294th dealership sold nationwide

Salt Lake City, UT – June 30, 2025 – Kerrigan Advisors, the premier sell-side advisor and thought partner to…

The automotive dealership model is facing yet another modernization opportunity—this time driven by artificial intelligence, specifically generative AI and GPT-style technologies. These tools, which allow users to query complex data systems using natural language and automate time consuming repetitive tasks, are increasingly being explored across commercial vehicle operations for their potential to increase efficiency, simplify analysis, and improve…

As economic uncertainty continues to weigh on consumers, vehicle affordability continues today as a driving issue in the auto retail sector. High interest rates, lingering inflation, and constrained supply chains have converged to create a complex marketplace—one where both consumers and dealers are navigating a delicate balancing act between price sensitivity and profit margins.

In response, dealers are looking to leverage AI and machine learning as a strategic tool to maintain…

Today’s auto dealerships are constantly seeking innovative ways to differentiate themselves and enhance their profitability. One such opportunity lies in the strategic use of limited warranties, not just as a vehicle sales tool, but as a cornerstone of a sophisticated wealth-building program.

While the utilization of limited warranties has become commoditized, integrating these warranties into a comprehensive reinsurance or DOWC strategy can provide significant financial…

The automotive dealership model is constantly facing change, especially in the types of vehicles retailers can service. In particular, as the commercial vehicle market shifts toward opportunities for electrification within their vehicle fleets, local dealerships are being called upon to do more than sell vehicles. They must become strategic partners in their customers’ sustainability journeys – for both passenger vehicles and that of fleet customers. This reimagination of business…

With today’s “always connected” digital economy, identity is currency. For the automotive industry—spanning rentals, dealerships, insurance providers, and financing institutions—that currency is increasingly being challenged. The numbers are staggering with U.S. auto lenders facing an estimated $9.2 billion in fraud loss exposure. ¹ This surge in identity-based fraud is not only draining revenue but also undermining trust and operational integrity across the industry.

At the heart of…

The automotive retail industry is experiencing a fundamental modernization. While much of the conversation has centered around electrification and digital retailing, another powerful force is quietly changing the way dealerships operate—intelligent machines. Often associated solely with sales or advertising automation, machines are increasingly being used to optimize back-end dealership strategies in areas like inventory allocation, pricing, merchandising, and aged inventory…

Buy/sell activity declined 15% in Q1 2025, but rising dealer earnings and tight inventory fuel confidence, with buy sell market on pace for nearly 400 transactions in 2025

Kerrigan Advisors pauses blue sky multiple and outlook adjustments as tariff uncertainty clouds…

From Margins to Mobility: Why Auto Dealers Must Rethink Fleet Service for the Connected and Electric Age

U.S. auto retailers have had a longstanding relationship with local commercial and business fleet customers, especially in the servicing of vehicles in the fleet. Rapidly changing updates to connected vehicle data is offering an opportunity for retailers to further grow this business, but their technology proficiency to properly leverage this data poses…

The May 7, 2025, enforcement of the REAL ID Act marks a new moment for identity verification in the U.S.-and auto dealerships are squarely in the crosshairs. As the federal government now requires all Americans over 18 to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities, the auto industry must also deal with the ripple effects on its own processes for verifying customer…

The first quarter of 2025 opened with a mix of optimism and uncertainty for the automotive industry. While March delivered a sharp 19% rebound in new vehicle sales—largely driven by consumers rushing to purchase ahead of tariff price adjustments—the earlier months of the quarter were marked by a slight decline. Used vehicle sales, on the other hand, showed steady resilience, increasing 10% quarter-over-quarter.

Beneath these headline figures, however, the market revealed deeper…

Over 11,000 lessees have completed self-inspections in just 10 minutes with a smartphone; new program drives lease-end efficiency, cost savings, and greater accuracy in damage assessment…

70% of OEMs worry about the financial impact of Chinese automakers, who now control over 40% of global vehicle production

80% of OEMs say the EV transition is slower than planned, citing infrastructure gaps, high prices, and weak demand, but most expect EV market share to rise in…

As inflation continues to impact every corner of the retail automotive industry, many manufacturers continue to offer dealers CPI-based programs to automatically increase their warranty labor reimbursement rates each year.

At first glance, these CPI (Consumer Price Index) programs seem like an enticing offer. After all, the programs offer annual increases tied to inflation and relieve the burden of having to submit a warranty labor rate increase each year. However, most of the time,…

Transaction highlights the strategic value of high-volume retail stores in Arizona’s fastest growing market; marks Kerrigan Advisors’ 290^th and 291^st dealerships sold.

Prescott, AZ – May 7, 2025 – Kerrigan Advisors, the premier sell-side advisor and thought partner to auto…

Sale of Vermont’s #1 ranked Subaru and Hyundai dealerships marks Kerrigan Advisors’ 288^th and 289^th dealerships sold since inception, and 153^rd and 154^th franchise sold since 2023

BURLINGTON, VT – May 6, 2025 – Kerrigan…

LLMs, Agentic AI, and Vertical AI: How Machines Are Improving Dealer Retail Operations

As dealers face rising complexity in inventory management, pricing, and profitability, especially with the 25% tariff on imported vehicles, machine-driven technologies are stepping in as vital tools—not just to handle data, but to make better, faster business decisions.  

From fluctuating vehicle values and evolving consumer trends to aging inventory and regional market…

HUNT VALLEY, MD, May 6, 2025 – Armatus Dealer Uplift, the industry leader in Retail Warranty Reimbursement submissions, today announced that the South Dakota Automobile Dealers Association (SDADA) has endorsed Armatus as their exclusive partner for Retail Warranty Reimbursement services for their membership. This is the 25th endorsement Armatus has received from State Dealer Associations.

“The right innovative solutions can deliver such positive results to people and businesses,…