TSLA372.800-3.22%
GM76.620-2.32%
F12.260-0.14%
RIVN16.060-0.085%
CYD40.080-0.69%
HMC24.000-0.2%
TM191.260-1.72%
CVNA396.730-9.69%
PAG171.66010.11%
LAD291.00013.76%
AN205.6904.72%
GPI349.2104.51%
ABG201.3900.83%
SAH73.2600.87%
TSLA372.800-3.22%
GM76.620-2.32%
F12.260-0.14%
RIVN16.060-0.085%
CYD40.080-0.69%
HMC24.000-0.2%
TM191.260-1.72%
CVNA396.730-9.69%
PAG171.66010.11%
LAD291.00013.76%
AN205.6904.72%
GPI349.2104.51%
ABG201.3900.83%
SAH73.2600.87%
TSLA372.800-3.22%
GM76.620-2.32%
F12.260-0.14%
RIVN16.060-0.085%
CYD40.080-0.69%
HMC24.000-0.2%
TM191.260-1.72%
CVNA396.730-9.69%
PAG171.66010.11%
LAD291.00013.76%
AN205.6904.72%
GPI349.2104.51%
ABG201.3900.83%
SAH73.2600.87%

5 of the biggest issues facing the F&I office today and how to cope with them – Audrey McKinley

F&I departments are facing a unique set of challenges in today’s marketplace. While many dealers have recently made strong investments in digital retailing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital push has made many dealers wonder how digital retailing will impact the future of their F&I departments.

With experts forecasting the pandemic going well into 2021, what will that mean for the industry as a whole? On today’s show, we’re pleased to welcome sales and F&I expert Audrey McKinley, CEO of Auto Network Consulting, to discuss some of these challenges and what’s next to come for F&I trends.

In this segment, McKinley outlines five distinct and unique challenges facing the F&I department in the market conditions:

  1. Preparedness
  2. Digital retailing infrastructure
  3. Selling the F&I menu to customers over platforms like Zoom
  4. Doing more with less
  5. Creating a culture to facilitate a digital environment

McKinley and anchor Jim Fitzpatrick also tackle the following:

  • The role of F&I in a digital environment
  • The importance of additional department training
  • Trends that dealership leaders should watch for
  • How digital service can change gross profit
  • What is needed in an F&I manager today

Did you enjoy this interview with Audrey McKinley? Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding this topic with host Jim Fitzpatrick at jfitzpatrick@cbtnews.com.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date or catch-up on all of our podcasts on demand.

While you’re here, don’t forget to subscribe to our email newsletter for all the latest auto industry news from CBT News

More from F&I
Talent

The talent factory: How to build F&I rockstars from within

- April 28, 2026
Across the country, car dealerships are increasingly facing a new problem: finding and keeping the right people on staff. As veteran employees retire and customer expectations shift, dealers are rethinking...
Transparency trouble

Transparency trouble: How top dealers win trust from the start

- April 23, 2026
The automotive retail industry is facing a transparency tipping point. Today's car buyers are better informed than any previous generation, and they are losing patience with dealerships that still rely...
Underwater deals rise to near-record highs, Edmunds says

Underwater deals rise to near-record highs, Edmunds says

- April 21, 2026
On the Dash: Negative equity reaches near-record levels, increasing rollover debt and total vehicle financing costs. Longer loan terms and higher rates are slowing equity buildup and raising monthly payments. ...
Paul Brown, Vice President of Ascent Dealer Services, explains how negative equity affects trade-in values and how dealerships can protect themselves and customers with gap insurance.

The key to closing deals underwater

- April 16, 2026
The rise of negative equity challenges dealerships and customers alike. On today's episode of F&I Today, Paul Brown, Vice President of Ascent Dealer Services, explains how negative equity affects trade-in...
CBT News
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.