TSLA433.450-11.55%
GM76.4401.15%
F11.980-0.07%
RIVN13.950-0.13%
CYD48.5201.06%
HMC24.1100.135%
TM181.670-2.13%
CVNA73.710-2.52%
PAG169.030-4.23%
LAD275.300-11.37%
AN195.360-5.12%
GPI336.140-12.46%
ABG193.680-3.81%
SAH78.580-2.24%
TSLA433.450-11.55%
GM76.4401.15%
F11.980-0.07%
RIVN13.950-0.13%
CYD48.5201.06%
HMC24.1100.135%
TM181.670-2.13%
CVNA73.710-2.52%
PAG169.030-4.23%
LAD275.300-11.37%
AN195.360-5.12%
GPI336.140-12.46%
ABG193.680-3.81%
SAH78.580-2.24%
TSLA433.450-11.55%
GM76.4401.15%
F11.980-0.07%
RIVN13.950-0.13%
CYD48.5201.06%
HMC24.1100.135%
TM181.670-2.13%
CVNA73.710-2.52%
PAG169.030-4.23%
LAD275.300-11.37%
AN195.360-5.12%
GPI336.140-12.46%
ABG193.680-3.81%
SAH78.580-2.24%

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
Getting more buyers across the finish line

Getting more buyers across the finish line

- May 13, 2026
Every car shopping journey has its highs and lows. On the positive side, it’s fun to do test drives and it’s exhilarating to drive off the lot in a new...
Finance Director Symphony Wills shares her success story

Finance Director shares path from rejection to BMW rooftop success

- May 12, 2026
Symphony Wills did not stumble into the car business. She chased it, fought rejection, and took on a two-hour commute to get her foot in the door and onto the...
Affordability squeeze reshapes F&I strategy as dealers rethink customer conversations

Affordability squeeze reshapes F&I strategy as dealers rethink customer conversations

- May 7, 2026
Rising costs are reshaping how customers approach car buying, and F&I leaders must adjust their strategies to keep pace. On the latest episode of F&I Today, Paul Brown, Vice President...
4 customer personality types

4 customer personality types and how to win their business every time

- April 30, 2026
Every customer who walks into a dealership is sending signals, but are you listening? Learning to read your customers and meet them where they are can build trust and close...
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.