Mercer Capital Vice President David Harkins was recently featured on the podcast Beyond the Lot: Understanding Dealership Valuations, hosted by Kevin Timson, for a wide-ranging conversation on the factors that truly drive value in automotive dealerships. Drawing from his experience advising auto dealers nationwide, David discusses how elements such as brand strength, real estate, fixed operations, and local market dynamics influence dealership valuations.

Throughout the episode, David and Kevin also explore how factory financial statements can serve as powerful decision-making tools, why dealers should prioritize controllable value drivers, and the critical role professional valuations play in succession planning—particularly in an industry where OEM approval is a key consideration. The discussion offers timely, practical insights for dealers looking to strengthen today’s operations while positioning their businesses for long-term value creation.