TSLA360.590-20.67001%
GM72.540-2.5%
F11.590-0.09%
RIVN15.4000.46%
CYD39.410-0.08%
HMC24.150-0.16%
TM207.010-2.66%
CVNA313.5481.45799%
PAG149.3400.18%
LAD251.8201%
AN197.680-0.29%
GPI329.450-1.34%
ABG194.7600.73%
SAH64.870-0.38%
TSLA360.590-20.67001%
GM72.540-2.5%
F11.590-0.09%
RIVN15.4000.46%
CYD39.410-0.08%
HMC24.150-0.16%
TM207.010-2.66%
CVNA313.5481.45799%
PAG149.3400.18%
LAD251.8201%
AN197.680-0.29%
GPI329.450-1.34%
ABG194.7600.73%
SAH64.870-0.38%
TSLA360.590-20.67001%
GM72.540-2.5%
F11.590-0.09%
RIVN15.4000.46%
CYD39.410-0.08%
HMC24.150-0.16%
TM207.010-2.66%
CVNA313.5481.45799%
PAG149.3400.18%
LAD251.8201%
AN197.680-0.29%
GPI329.450-1.34%
ABG194.7600.73%
SAH64.870-0.38%

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
Driving profits when service contracts fall short | Paul Brown

Driving profits when service contracts fall short

- April 2, 2026
To improve F&I results, dealerships need to address a widening performance gap, according to VP of Ascent Dealer Services,  Paul Brown. On the latest episode of F&I Today, Brown attributes...
data

How F&I experts can leverage data, technology to enhance customer experience

- March 26, 2026
From analyzing past deals to presenting products early, Paul Brown details how finance professionals can turn data into meaningful customer engagement on today’s episode of F&I Today. Brown, Vice President of...
Subprime

Subprime strategies that turn repeat referrals into dealership growth – Dave Moore | Johnny Londoff Chevrolet 

- March 24, 2026
Dave Moore, a finance leader at Johnny Londoff Chevrolet, says dealerships can unlock significant growth in subprime financing by focusing on relationships, disciplined processes, and long-term customer development rather than...
Coaching sales teams strengthens F&I results and customer trust

Coaching sales teams strengthens F&I results and customer trust

- March 19, 2026
F&I managers who actively coach and support their sales teams can especially improve customer satisfaction, deal flow, and profitability. Paul Brown, Vice President of Ascent Dealer Services, emphasizes that sharing...
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.