Quick question: What is the main focus of the auto finance industry in 2022?

What do you consider the main focus of the auto finance industry in 2022?

Tom Aliff, senior vice president, Equifax: The main focus is definitely going to be ... is income going to be stable? And disposable income in particular. ... And is that continually sustainable, specifically with things like rent potentially going up, gas prices going up for certain sectors of the market?

Satyan Merchant, senior vice president, TransUnion: Positioning for growth into this year, despite the headwinds and the challenges that we're all aware of in terms of inventory, supply and supply challenges. ... A lot of that has to do with the consumer and the way that the consumer wants to participate in auto financing and purchase their vehicles.

Erin Kerrigan, founder and managing director, Kerrigan Advisors: I think the finance industry seems extremely healthy, and I think they are probably going to be looking at how far they can go on LTV. Because right now, we're at record loan-to-value on new vehicles. And that's certainly an important aspect of the strength of [the] auto retail market is how deep the lenders are willing to go in financing vehicles.

Yotam Haroosh, digital auto lending specialist, Lightico: The main focus needs to be on customer-centric digital processes that not only provide ROI in the near term, but prepare companies to be flexible to ensure business continuity in the face of disruption as well as to remain competitive in the face of the "Great Resignation."

Kait Gavin, vice president of F&I Dealer Solutions, Cox Automotive: [Being prepared] for the 7.5 million new-/used-vehicle purchases that Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke predicts will be sold to mostly digital users in 2022. Vehicle sales both now and in the future will be accomplished ... one of two ways: through a digitally assisted process or a fully online e-commerce platform.

Taylor Boone, director of solutions marketing, CarNow: I think really being able to kind of have a better consumer-facing experience and getting relevant approval information out to them.

Justin Oesterle, CEO, RouteOne: Responding to customer expectations. We're trying to enable [dealers and lenders] to meet customers at the new point of sale, which used to be the F&I office. Now it's wherever a customer chooses to invoke that process.

Chad Collier, CEO, CarSaver: I think paying attention to loyalty. Increasing loyalty with your existing loan portfolio and finding ways where you can optimize e-commerce technology and the data you have to drive loyalty.