Michael Manley on industry outlook
From $AN AutoNation Q1 2026 Earnings Conference Call · · EARNMOAR
“I think the industry will be below that 5% forecast that we originally had coming in until some of those impacts get dissipated. Whether that is the Iran war is over, fuel prices begin to return, whether that is transaction price movements that may happen or change over the years, interest rate movements, regardless of what causes it, I think we need to see some movements in those areas for that unmet demand now in the marketplace to start to get released.”
On , Michael Manley, Chief Executive Officer & Director at AUTONATION INC, spoke about industry outlook during $AN AutoNation Q1 2026 Earnings Conference Call on EARNMOAR.
About Michael Manley
On May 1, 2026, during AutoNation's first quarter earnings call, Manley reported that the company delivered its fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in adjusted earnings per share, describing it as "a solid first quarter" despite a challenging industry environment. He attributed the performance to the strength of the company's balance sheet and cash flow generation, which he said provide flexibility for capital deployment and shareholder returns. Manley discussed ongoing investments in technology and the company's remote service operations, noting that some technology investments are exploratory and may not all yield returns. He also addressed industry conditions, stating that he believes the new-vehicle market will remain below an initial 5% growth forecast until factors such as geopolitical tensions, fuel prices, transaction prices, and interest rates shift. He expressed comfort with margin mitigation, saying he expects it to translate into volume due to pent-up demand in both new and used vehicles.