THE AUTOPEOPLE REPORT | May 2026
THE AUTOPEOPLE REPORT
June 2026

Recruiting Is Not a Resume Service
When dealerships begin searching for talent, many assume recruiting is simply a numbers game.
Post a job. Collect resumes. Interview enough candidates and eventually someone works out.
But finding great people does not work that way especially in automotive retail.
The reality is, exceptional dealership leaders are rarely sitting online actively applying for jobs. The strongest candidates are often already employed, highly selective about opportunities, and difficult to reach through traditional hiring channels.
When dealerships begin searching for talent, many assume recruiting is simply a numbers game.
Post a job. Collect resumes. Interview enough candidates and eventually someone works out.
But finding great people does not work that way especially in automotive retail.
The reality is, exceptional dealership leaders are rarely sitting online actively applying for jobs. The strongest candidates are often already employed, highly selective about opportunities, and difficult to reach through traditional hiring channels.
Why Internal Recruiting Teams Still Use Outside Recruiters
Many large dealership groups today have internal recruiting teams. They post jobs, review resumes, schedule interviews, and help manage hiring across multiple rooftops. So when those same organizations still hire outside recruiting firms, it raises an important question… Read More
Why Internal Recruiting Teams Still Use Outside Recruiters
Many large dealership groups today have internal recruiting teams. They post jobs, review resumes, schedule interviews, and help manage hiring across multiple rooftops. So when those same organizations still hire outside recruiting firms, it raises an important question… Read More
Why Great Dealership Managers Are So Hard to Find
The automotive industry has never had a shortage of ambitious people. What it has struggled with for decades is developing strong leaders. Ask any dealership owner or operator about one of their biggest ongoing challenges, and eventually the conversation lands in the same place: finding and keeping great managers. The reality is, quality dealership managers have always been difficult to find. Read More
Dealership Hiring Challenges & Pay Trends in 2026
The automotive industry has never had a shortage of ambitious people. What it has struggled with for decades is developing strong leaders. Ask any dealership owner or operator about one of their biggest ongoing challenges, and eventually the conversation lands in the same place: finding and keeping great managers. The reality is, quality dealership managers have always been difficult to find. Read More
Our candidates have to meet our rigorous specifications, which include exceptional competency in their area of expertise, as well as adhering to our client’s ideal criteria. Only then do we rate them highly and present them to our clients.
Finance Director
- Ability to oversee multiple dealerships
- Track record of great job stability
- Willing to relocate anywhere in the U.S.
General Manager/Partner
-
Proven Leader
- Great Communicator with Excellent Operational Experience
- Seeks Equity Opportunity
Chief Financial Officer
- Proven Multi-store experience
- Experience in Centralized Accounting
- Strategic Financial Expert
Regional Fixed Operations Director
-
Experience includes oversight of 20+ dealerships for a public group
- Great communication skills
- Candidate will relocate anywhere in the U.S.
At Autopeople, we’re recognized as the leading automotive recruitment firm, serving the entire United States and specializing in the recruitment of key automotive talent.
In order to help organizations in the Automotive industry stay competitive and up-to-date, Autopeople created this guide to help employers in evaluating their pay rates while making some adjustments to improve both retention and hiring initiatives. It’s critical to offer competitive salaries, and we’ve compiled the most extensive market data in the auto market in this exclusive report. It is available now for instant download.
Complete the form and download now.
At Autopeople, we’re recognized as the leading automotive recruitment firm, serving the entire United States and specializing in the recruitment of key automotive talent.
In order to help organizations in the Automotive industry stay competitive and up-to-date, Autopeople created this guide to help employers in evaluating their pay rates while making some adjustments to improve both retention and hiring initiatives. It’s critical to offer competitive salaries, and we’ve compiled the most extensive market data in the auto market in this exclusive report. It is available now for instant download.
Complete the form and download now.
Please view our website at www.autopeople.com, call 1-800-659-9501 or email me, David Adragna, at [email protected] to discuss what Autopeople
can do for you.
Autopeople, 5170 Golden Foothill Pkwy., El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, United States












