Industry Veteran Move Emphasizes Shift Toward Scalable Vehicle Acquisition Models

A LinkedIn post from Plug highlights industry commentary asserting that in the anticipated 2026 automotive environment, dealers with superior inventory positions may be best placed to compete. The post centers on industry veteran David Long, who is described as moving to Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) to lead enterprise scaling efforts focused on inventory acquisition.

According to the post, Long has spent more than a decade refining a “Buying Center” model using VAN’s proprietary software, with an emphasis on structured vehicle acquisition processes. The content suggests a strategic shift for dealers from auction-dependent sourcing toward higher-margin private-party vehicle acquisition.

The post also indicates that Long’s role at VAN will focus on helping dealer groups turn vehicle acquisition into a standardized, scalable business unit. For investors following automotive retail technology and services, this framing points to continued demand for tools and methodologies that improve used-vehicle supply, margin management, and enterprise-level process discipline.

While the post is promotional in tone toward VAN’s approach, it underscores a broader industry narrative around inventory as a key competitive differentiator. If this shift toward private-party acquisition and scalable “Buying Center” operations accelerates, companies positioned in vehicle acquisition software and services could see increased interest and potential growth opportunities through 2026.