Haig Partners Releases Q1 2026 Haig Report®: Dealership Buy-Sell Activity Surged 39% in Q1 2026 as Private Buyers Chase Strong Franchises
Haig Partners LLC, a leading buy-sell advisory firm to auto retailers in the U.S., released the Q1 2026 Haig Report®, its quarterly analysis of dealership buy-sell activity, blue sky valuations, franchise performance, and the broader economic forces shaping automotive retail.
Dealership M&A activity accelerated sharply in Q1 even as earnings moderated from historically elevated levels. An estimated 139 rooftops changed hands, a 39% increase over Q1 2025 and 29% above Q1 2019, the last full year before the pandemic permanently reshaped dealership economics. Private buyers accounted for 96% of all acquisitions, a clear signal that independent operators remain highly confident in the long-term value of franchise auto retail. Multi-dealership transactions rose 54% year-over-year, reflecting a market increasingly shaped by larger operators executing deliberate portfolio strategies.
"Dealers still strongly believe in the future of auto retail, but the market is becoming much more selective," said Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners. "Buyers are aggressively pursuing strong franchises with healthy profitability, disciplined inventories and good growth prospects, while weaker franchises are becoming increasingly difficult to sell."
