ATLANTA — Powersports dealers are navigating an environment in which completing a sale is subject to volatile consumer discretionary demand.
Powersports Finance Summit 2026 returns on Sept. 16 at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown, gathering industry leaders to discuss market trends, digital and AI strategies, lender and dealer relationships and lending trends across RV, marine and powersports segments.
Here are three themes that will be addressed at the event and in the coverage from the Auto Finance News team.
1. Affordability is shaping demand and deal structure
Powersports affordability concerns are sticking around. Dealers continue to see an overlap of higher monthly payments, boosted interest rates and rising gas prices dampening sales.
RV registrations, for example, are projected to fall 14% year-over-year to about 300,000 units at yearend.
RV Dealers Association President Phil Ingrassia told Auto Finance News that fuel price and interest rate volatility are keeping some buyers on the sidelines.
RV registrations fell 22% YoY in July as results “remain generally weak across the country,” according to a Sept. 8 BMO Capital Markets note citing Statistical Surveys data.
On the marine side, some customers are choosing to buy used boats, refurbishing boats they already own or delaying purchases until there is a better rate environment.
2. Financing needs continue in softer retail environment
While powersports retail is more volatile this year, demand for financing remains strong.
Seizing that demand is key because some consumers are still constrained by high interest rates, Samer Fidy, finance manager at Fun Bike Center Motorsports in Lakeland, Fla., told AFN.
Fidy said he sees more customers shopping around for interest rates this year before returning to the dealership after realizing lenders are offering similar rates.
“Some months are great, other months are slow, but it’s affecting sales associates because they rely on the finance department to get deals done,” Fidy said.
Closing deals sometimes requires additional discussions with buyers, he said.
3. Technology and stronger dealer-lender relationships are in focus
Powersports leaders at the summit also will discuss lender-dealer relationships and how technology — including AI — enable faster credit risk analysis and originations growth.
Dealer financing programs, such as the one BRP recently launched in August, are seeing strong interest as consumers and dealers expect powersports manufacturers to offer financing options, just like automobile manufacturers do, Chief Financial Officer Sebastien Martel said during the company’s earnings call last month.
More than 90% of BRP’s dealer network signed up for the program in the first two weeks, he said.
This week’s Powersports Finance Summit 2026 will include fireside chats, panel discussions, workshops, presentations and a chance to hear industry insiders’ takes on key issues heading into 2027.
Stay up to date with all the news coming out of Powersports Finance Summit 2026 here.
