U.S. auto dealers enjoyed their first full-year net pretax profit gain since 2021 last year, according to the Presidio Group/NCM Associates’ latest quarterly Average Dealership Performance Benchmark report, tempered by a 9.7% year-over-year decline in the fourth quarter.

Analysts blame slowing new vehicle sales for a less profitable Q4, in which revenue (-1.7%), gross profit per new unit (down 1.4% to $2,005) and gross profit per used unit (down 12.1% to $1,185) all suffered on a year-over-year basis.

On the bright side, F&I income per retail unit improved by 9.1% to $1,765 and fixed ops gross profits grew by 7%.

“Fourth-quarter results underscore the variability of earnings experienced by the industry throughout 2025, and specifically the impact of U.S. policy changes on consumer demand,” said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. “The complete picture is more accurately depicted by full-year results showing that the average dealership’s profit rose 6.3%. All brand segments contributed to dealers’ 2025 profit gains, with each delivering full-year increases in the mid-single digit percentages.”

Read more at The Presidio Group