List · October 29, 2026 · 2 min read
Dealer principal email list, 46,657 owners and principals
46,657 car dealership owners, presidents and dealer principals in the US and Canada, 9,361 with a verified email. Titles, states and how to reach them.
Dealer principal email list
DealerData holds 46,657 dealership owners and dealer principals. 9,361 have a verified work email, 14,409 are confirmed on LinkedIn and 4,110 have a mobile on file. 34,710 sit at franchise stores and 13,759 at stores owned by a dealer group.
Counts from the DealerData database on 29 October 2026. A store is counted once per name and state, because some stores run more than one website.
What dealer principals buy
The dealer principal signs off on store-wide and long contracts: a new DMS, a group CRM, a website provider, a lender relationship. In a single store they are often hands-on. In a group they set direction and leave smaller choices to the GM. See dealer principal vs general manager.
The titles they use
| Title | People |
|---|---|
| Owner | 17,551 |
| President | 7,531 |
| Vice President | 2,137 |
| Dealer Principal | 1,654 |
| Partner | 1,139 |
| Founder | 1,097 |
Only 1,654 use the title Dealer Principal. Search the role, not the title, or you miss most of them.
Where they are
| State | Owners and principals |
|---|---|
| California | 3,094 |
| Texas | 2,947 |
| Florida | 2,704 |
| North Carolina | 1,844 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,840 |
2,112 are in Canada. 6,336 run independent stores, where the owner usually makes every buying decision.
Who sells to dealer principals
- DMS and CRM vendors with store-wide contracts.
- Lenders and floor plan providers.
- Dealership buyers and M&A advisors.
- Agencies selling a full marketing retainer.
- Recruiters hiring GMs.
Reaching them
Principals get pitched by everyone. Lead with a store-level number they care about and keep the ask small. If your product lives in one department, start with that department head and bring the principal in for sign-off. See how to find a dealer principal’s email.
Frequently asked questions
How many car dealership owners are there?
DealerData holds 46,657 owners and dealer principals at US and Canadian dealerships, 9,361 with a verified email.
What title do dealer principals use?
Mostly Owner (17,551) or President (7,531). Only 1,654 use the title Dealer Principal.
Should I email the dealer principal or the GM?
The principal for store-wide or long contracts, the GM for day-to-day store decisions, the department head for department tools.
Find the right person at every dealership.
Search free. Verified work emails and mobiles when you need them.
