Auto industry adapts to evolving technology, affordability

Auto dealers and lenders are looking to new technologies and ventures to grow operations as the retail auto market faces uncertainty, especially around used vehicles and EVs, in 2026. Dealer captive financier AutoNation Finance’s originations rose 66% year over year in 2025. Meanwhile, the retailer’s full-year finance and insurance revenue increased 7.7% YoY to $1.5 billion, which represented 5.3% of total revenue and 29.6% of total gross profit, according to the company’s earnings release. Additionally, AutoNation Finance is looking to improve call center operations with the deployment of Balto AI, while Capital One also aims to boost call centers with AI. Bank of America is navigating affordability needs of consumer finance customers by expanding its 84-month-term eligibility for auto loans and advancing lending technology, especially in the RV space. Other lenders are taking different paths to growth: Huntington Bank expects its $7.4 billion merger with Cadence Bank to drive auto originations growth; and Fellow bank financier Santander acquired U.S.-based Webster Bank for $12.2 billion on Feb. 6. Dealers and lenders continue various strategies for growth in a complicated auto market, as J.D. Power predicts flat retail sales of 13.6 million units in 2026 and declining retailer profit, while projecting that used-vehicle prices could drop as much as 4% this year. All of this comes as auto dealers and lenders descended on Las Vegas last week for several key events, including the American Financial Services Association’s Vehicle Finance Conference and Expo, the J.D. Power Auto Summit 2026 and the National Automobile Dealers Association Show. Auto Finance News was on site throughout the events, speaking to lenders, dealers and analysts. Keep an eye out for more news from those event. In this episode of “Weekly Wrap,” Auto Finance News Editor Amanda Harris, Deputy Editor Johnnie Martinez, Senior Editor Truth Headlam and Associate Editor Aidan Bush discuss trends affecting the automotive industry and key updates for the week ended Feb 6.