Kentucky Horsepower

With our 2025 KADA Family Convention just around the corner, we sat down to talk how to get to the island and helpful tips for during your stay!Tune in to hear about the property, dress code, weather, and activities at The Grand Hotel and on Mackinac Island!

With our 2025 KADA Family Convention just around the corner, we sat down to talk the agenda, venue, activities on the island, speakers and more!If you haven't already signed up, hurry and register today, as our KADA hotel block closes next week! Tune in to learn more about:- Activities on the island- How to get there- Agenda and speakers- Our Fabulous 50s and Garden Parties

In the midst of our upcoming KADA Legal Workshop, we sat down with two of the lawyers who will be presenting at our event: Joel Nagle of Stoll Keenon Ogden and Megan U'Sellis of Fisher Phillips.They're giving us a sneak peek at some of the topics you can expect to hear about at our workshop on Thursday, May 8th, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Frankfort Country Club.Tune in to hear updates and information regarding:TariffsDirect salesNon-compete banDEI initiativesAmazonEmploying minors

In this episode, we sat down with a fan favorite, Kevin Tynan, Director of Research at The Presidio Group.With the recent news of Trump's tariffs, there are a host of questions as it relates to how this affects our industry. Tune in to hear Kevin discuss the short-term and long-term effects of these tariffs and what he's seeing in the market. He's talking supply and demand, domestic production, labor changes, affordability, revenue diversity and more.

In this episode, we sat down with Don Giordano, Director of Business Development at Merchant Advocate — a new KADA Preferred Partner.An expense reduction company, Merchant Advocate focuses solely on the merchant services space—helping your dealership save money on credit card fees without switching processors.In speaking with Don, we've understood just how unregulated and non-transparent the credit card processing industry is. Did you know that the average processor in the U.S. raises rates 3-4 times a year by slipping increases into merchant statements without notifying the business? If not challenged or contested, your business is stuck with this increase.This is where Merchant Advocate steps in. They act as a watch dog, auditing your account each month, reviewing the statements line by line and ensuring their solutions stay implemented and there are no surprise charges or fees. In doing so, they help your dealership save significantly, all without switching your credit card processor, bank or DMS.Tune in to hear more about how they operate, and how you can participate in a complimentary analysis and start uncovering hidden savings.

In this episode, we chat about the various events we have coming up this spring!For questions or more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

In this episode, we sat down with Compliance expert Sherryl Nens of KADA Preferred Partner ComplyAuto.We're discussing cybersecurity, how to ensure your dealership has secure systems in place, and what are the current issues you need to be aware of. We're talking:What we learned from the CDK incidentBusiness continuity plansPhishing Multi-factor authenticationEncryptionVendor securityThe importance of training your staffEmail and texting protectionFor questions or more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us or to Sherryl at sherryl@complyauto.com.

In this episode, we sat down with two of our friends from Preferred Partner ACV — Stu Zalud, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Randy Barone, Vice President.Listen in as they talk about 2025 used car market trends, challenges and opportunities.They're touching on some big topics like:Best practices for sourcing inventory directly from consumers & why it's so importantHow to maximize your used car purchasing opportunitiesEnhancing your trade-in processTaking advantage of your service departmentMake sure to also check out ACV at the NADA Show next week! Visit them at booth #1901 to learn more about the solutions they can offer your dealership.

In this episode, we sat down with Scott Pechstein, SVP of Business Development at Digital Air Strike, to get his take on a very hot topic in our industry - AI.A KADA Preferred Partner, Digital Air Strike continues to innovate their Consumer Data Experience Platform (CDXP) as well as AI capabilities, scaling most of the heavy lifting for dealers through automation.Listen as Scott talks about embracing AI and how they're using this technology for:Lead response and follow upRecallsAutomated CDXP email and communicationChat bots and live chat agentsScott will be discussing this in even more detail next week at the NADA Show as a guest speaker. Check out his session on Saturday at 12:20 on the live stage where he'll be debunking many of the myths on AI and explaining how dealers can best jump on this technology wave. Make sure to also check out the Digital Air Strike Booth—2538—where you can chat with Scott and his team, and pick up a pass for their big party on Saturday night.

In this episode, we sat down with members of our electronic titling and registration team: Zach Newsom, Vitu Regional Sales Manager; Stephanie Riddle, Vitu Account Executive; and LT Slater, Head of Strategic Partnerships for CHAMPtitles.We're taking a look at how far we've come since our first electronic transaction in April of 2024 to now.Our growth has been exponential and we are seeingmore transactionsexpanded functionalitiesincreased dealer adoptiongrowing positive feedbackThe proof is out there - so if you haven't signed up with Vitu or submitted your form to become an ELT approved entity, NOW is the time!We look forward to a 2025 with completely seamless transactions for dealers and county clerks. As we work towards this, we want to reinforce that communication is key and if you have any questions or issues, do not hesitate to reach out to our Vitu team.

In this episode, we sat down with Todd Buechs, Senior Investment Strategist at Bernstein Wealth Management - KADA's own investment strategists.As we look ahead to 2025 and a new presidential administration, Todd discusses how he thinks financial policy and various markets will be impacted, to include automotive. He shares with us what we should be paying attention to and how to make good financial decisions in the coming year. Keep an eye on:Interest ratesInflation dataWhat the Federal Reserve is sayingEarnings growthBonds/equitiesDiversificationArtificial intelligence

In this episode, we sat down with longtime KADA friend, guest speaker and automotive analysis expert, Kevin Tynan.In his new position as Director of Research for The Presidio Group, Kevin continues to be a thought leader in objective auto industry analysis. According to Kevin, it's a good time to be a retail auto dealer. He forecasts that dealers can expect more volume in 2025 and more activity/transactions, however perhaps not as much margin.Listen in to learn why, what market conditions are looking like moving forward, and what are the hot topics you need to be aware of.We're talking:What to expect under this new administrationThe need to reduce capacity and address structural costsRefocusing where the money is; fixed ops, used car marketHyundai/Amazon and this new concept for selling Volkswagen/Scout/RivianTariffsRevenue diversity

Welcome back to Kentucky Horsepower, the official podcast of KADA! In this episode, we sat down to talk about our brand new educational program, Kentucky Dealer University!This new initiative is designed to equip every part of your dealership with the tools and resources needed to learn, grow, and stay up-to-date.Over the course of the year, we're offering virtual and in-person classes speaking to a range of topics—from compliance to taxes to regulatory and legal updates.Listen in as we talk about what you can expect in 2025 and sign up today!

In this episode, we are excited to discuss an incredible initiative KADA is launching alongside Kosair for Kids to help Kentucky's children in need.We sat down with Barry Dunn, President and CEO of Kosair for Kids, and past KADA Chairman, Kosair Board Member, and owner of Craig & Landreth Cars, Larry Craig.Listen to Barry and Larry share their stories of how they became involved with Kosair for Kids, and how you can too.Kosair for Kids has been serving children in all counties across the state for over a century. Their mission is to serve as a safety net for children in need through four main programs:They provide kids with once-in-a-liftetime experiences and outingsTheir grants program where they work with over 100 children's nonprofits across KentuckyTheir advocacy movement to end child abuseThey provide financial assistance to children with complex medical issuesLast year alone their programs reached 260,000 children across the state, and with this new partnership alongside KADA, you can help increase this number.All you have to do is contribute $1 per vehicle sold to Kosair for Kids at the end of each month.You can make your donation via kosair.org/kada or by mailing a check to:Kosair for KidsPO Box 950136Louisville, KY 40295We know how important it is for our dealers to serve their communities, and we are honored and excited to grow this program in 2025!

In this episode, we sat down with our very own Sarah Bishop, Vice President of Legislative Affairs at KADA, and Melissa Peach, our Controller and KADET Administrator.Listen in as we chat about everything you can expect at our upcoming November Workshops for title clerks and controllers!

In this episode, our own Sarah Bishop sits down with Colin Royster of Integrum Advisors to talk about our new association health insurance program, Kentucky Auto Dealer Services (KADS).You've heard us announce this program before, but why does it have the potential to be so beneficial to your dealership?Better serviceBetter pricingBenefits your association, therefore your business

In this episode, we sat down with our very own Sarah Bishop, Vice President of Legislative Affairs at KADA, to discuss our upcoming District Meetings.For those who don't know or have not yet attended one of these meetings, they are extremely informative and pertinent to your business (as well as fun!).You'll join fellow dealers in the area as well as your local legislators to learn about topics affecting our industry on a state and national level. We'll provide a review of important issues from this past year as well as look ahead at what we can expect to see in the coming year.

In this episode, KADA President Jason Wilson sat down with Amberly Allen, Founding & Managing Partner of our Preferred Partner, Dealer Merchant Services.Dealer Merchant Services' mission is to help dealers recoup one of their largest expenses, credit card processing fees, by helping them pass along those fees to their customers. They currently have 750+ rooftops on their compliant surcharge program in 41 states and have saved their dealers over $33M since inception. They have educated over 3400 dealers through NADA webinars and have certified & trained over 13,000 dealership employees.  

In this episode, your very own KADA team provides an update on electronic lien and titling (ELT). The pilot program has officially ended and electronic titling and registration is now available in all 120 counties in Kentucky! Listen to learn more.

We are excited to provide an update regarding our electronic titling and registration program which has been in pilot mode for the past several months!We sat down with our team of partners who have been working on this initiative since the beginning—Zach Newsom and Stephanie Riddle from Vitu, and Chris Keller and LT Slater from CHAMPtitles.Listen in as we chat about:Dealer and County Clerk integration and feedbackDetails on what things look like moving forward as we continue this roll outTrainingWhat to expect and how your dealership can be preparedWe are thrilled to share that August 5th is the official go-live date—meaning that KY ELT will be available in all counties, on an open enrollment, rolling basis. Dealerships will “roll on” by region and the counties will follow suit, with training and ground support for dealerships and clerks readily available. This is an incredible development for our state and our dealers, and we look forward to driving this forward!

 In this episode, your very own KADA staff sits down to chat about all you can expect at our Annual KADA Family Convention, coming up in less than two weeks! We talk agenda, speakers, our "Under the Sea" and "Hawaiian Luau" parties, and more. Tune in to make sure you're ready for all the fun that's ahead!

Tune in as we chat with the South Dakota Auto Dealers & Trucking Association and four-time Super Bowl champion Adam Vinatieri!Listen to Adam share stories from his incredible journey in football and  how these insights can help make your business function like a Super Bowl winning team.

We sat down with our very own Sarah Bishop, Vice President of Legislative Affairs at KADA, to discuss our upcoming Online Legal Workshop.Tune in as we chat about what you can expect to hear at our workshop coming up on Tuesday, May 7th. We've got a great lineup of speakers, discussing several important compliance and regulatory issues. You won't want to miss this! Plus, it's at no cost to KADA members.

We recently sat down with Dave Spencer and Zach Newsom of Vitu to discuss their National Title Exchange (NTX) and Interstate Digital Titling & Registration products. As you have seen and heard us communicate, Vitu is our endorsed vendor partner assisting with the move to electronic titling and registration in KY. Their team will be working directly with dealers to integrate this new KAVIS system, and it will be their interface that you utilize in your dealership. Which is why it's even more advantageous that you get started with Vitu now, as it's the same platform and login across all their programs. Tune in as we discuss how NTX & Interstate can significantly speed up and facilitate your titling and registration process today, both in-state and out-of-state.Learn how you can:Reduce the time it takes to get a vehicle front-line ready for retailDrastically reduce holding costs to make sure you're getting the maximum amount of wholesale value in the most timely fashion Skip duplicate titles – get your digital title in 3 business days or lessObtain a digital title when you don't have a valid chain of custodyIncrease F&I product profitability 

We recently sat down with Steve Gates, owner of Gates Automotive Group, 2021 AIADA Chairman, 2021 Time Dealer of the Year KY Nominee, and member of the KADA Board of Directors—among various other titles.Tune in as we discuss:How the EV conversation has evolvedThe EPA's proposed requirements & how to reconcile themEV business plans and inventory across manufacturersThe battery sourcing situationCurrent political environment and legislators' positions

In this episode, we sat down to get to know our 2024 KADA Chairman David Moore, of Moore Automotive. Born and raised in Owensboro, David has been in the car business for 38 years, working in just about every position in the dealership, including washing cars at 15 years old. The Moore Automotive Group began in 1919 with David's grandfather and his stepbrothers. To this day, it is still a family business with David and his brothers, Don III and John, operating 12 franchises. In fact, Don III was KADA Chairman in 2011, and David's daughter, Kaitlyn Moore Cunningham, also works at the dealership.Tune in to learn more about your new KADA Chairman (like his 175-acre farm), and hear about his philosophy on managing a dealership, the future of the auto industry, and why it's such an incredible time to be a part of KADA.

We recently sat down with Stu Zalud, President of Strategic Partnerships at ACV Auctions, and Andrew Sweet, Vice President of ClearCar, one of ACV's network of brands.Tune in as we discuss:Sourcing cars directly from the consumer marketTrade-in leads and enhancing your trade-in processHow to maximize your used car purchasing opportunitiesThe latest in car valuation and inspection technologyHow to maximize your digital real estate

As 2023 comes to a close, we sat down for a year-end review with KADA Chairman Joe Cummins of Don Franklin Auto Group.Tune in as we discuss:2023 General Session highlights Meetings at the Capitol and with legislatorsElectronic titling and registrationEVs and current issues affecting our industryThe upcoming General SessionKADET

We recently sat down with one of our podcast favorites, Kevin Tynan of Bloomberg Intelligence, for a special episode filmed live at our ATAE Communications & Public Relations Meeting in Louisville. Listen in as Kevin chats about what he learned at the recent SEMA and AAPEX shows in Vegas. The Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association Show (SEMA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) bring together the global community of auto parts & technology suppliers, distributors, and retailers. He shares his insights about what's going on/trending this very minute in automotive.As EVs continue to make headlines, he's talking EV mandates and demand/profit, as well as the potential shift to hybrids and plug-ins. He's also emphasizing the massive market for trucks and consumer demand for customization. Make sure you tune in as he also talks about the trending focus on software packages/systems.

We recently sat down with KADA Chairman Joe Cummins of Don Franklin Auto Group to briefly chat about our upcoming District Meetings.Listen to hear why it's so important to attend and make personal connections with your legislators. These meetings are also an opportunity to understand what issues are affecting our industry, learn more about the association, and engage with your fellow dealers.

We recently sat down with Kevin Tynan of Bloomberg Intelligence to talk about the United Auto Workers Strike. Listen to hear what Kevin thinks about where the strike stands, where it's going and how it is going to affect our industry and your business. We're talking inventory, supply chain, EVs, wages and more.

We recently sat down with Scott Pechstein, SVP of Business Development at Digital Air Strike, a new KADA Preferred Partner.Digital Air Strike provides digital marketing, reputation management, AI chat, and patented lead response technology solutions that enable dealers to attract, convert, and retain more customers.Listen as we chat about all the capabilities that Digital Air Strike can offer your dealership, filling in the gaps left by COVID, co-op dollars, processes and more.

We recently sat down with Dave Spencer and Doug Pillow of Vitu, and LT Slater of CHAMPtitles.Together, they comprise the team that is working to bring electronic titling and registration to the dealers of Kentucky. Vitu is an expert in electronic titling and registration nationwide, and it is their interface dealers will use at the dealership. CHAMPtitles is a software development company that is working directly with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to ensure all dealer information is transferred correctly. Through their partnership, these seamless electronic transactions will be possible.Listen as we chat about what this entire process looks like now, where it's headed, and what this means for you at your dealership.

We sat down to chat about everything you can expect at our 76th Annual Convention at The Greenbrier, coming up in less than two weeks! We talk agenda, speakers, our 85th birthday party and more. Tune in to make sure you're ready for all the fun that's ahead! 

A new KADA Preferred Partner, RockED is a cutting-edge Performance Development Application that utilizes mini learning lessons from automotive retail experts across the industry, all from the touch of your phone.The mobile learning platform allows your dealership staff access to a constantly updated library of 90-120 second videos covering various aspects of the automotive business, including sales techniques, customer service, product knowledge, and industry trends.With only about 5 minutes a day, you can empower your team with the tools they need to excel in their field. Listen to learn more about how you can turn your dealership staff into customer-centric, high performers with RockED's fast and easy program.

We recently sat down with Brad Geren of Dealer Performance Group and Paul Harper of Pulse Protects to discuss Pulse braking technology. Pulse is a rear-end collision avoidance system that pulses your third brake light when you press the brake pedal, increasing the reaction time of the driver behind you. Studies show that this one extra second of reaction time can prevent 90% of rear-end collisions. Listen to learn more about this safe and profitable new technology, and how KADA Preferred Partner Dealer Performance Group can help get this installed at your dealership.

In this episode, we sit down with our 2023 KADA Chairman, Joe Cummins!Joe is the General Manager at Don Franklin Chevrolet Buick GMC in Somerset, part of the Don Franklin Auto Group family. Born into the car business, he has worked in just about every position in the dealership over his 50 years in the industry. Joe has been an active member in our Executive Committee for 4 years now, and his dedication and commitment to the car business and community will undoubtedly lead us to great things in 2023.Listen to learn more about your new KADA Chairman! 

In this episode we sit down with KY Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. Listen as we talk about the million dollar EV Infrastructure Plan in Kentucky, the rollout and what it will look like in the coming years. Listen to hear Secretary Gray explain more about the plan, the challenges it faces and the revolutionary shift taking place. With the Transportation Cabinet projecting that in Kentucky by 2045, 58% of new-vehicle sales will be electric vehicles, the details of this plan are essential to the KY dealer body. 

We sit down with U.S. Representative Thomas Massie who represents Kentucky's 4th District which stretches across Northern Kentucky and 280 miles of the Ohio River.  We talk all things EV, including Representative Massie's personal experience owning a Tesla. Listen as we discuss charging stations, adoption rate projections, Ford's EV program announcement, electricity usage/power grid, and more. 

Recently we sat down with Stuart Ferguson, Managing Partner of the Underwriter's Group, ADMIC (Automobile Dealers Management Insurance Agency).  A KADA Preferred Partner, ADMIC is an insurance company that offers a workers' compensation program with a number of impressive benefits, including that it is owned directly by dealers.  Listen as we talk return to work and why it's important, the benefits you could receive from ADMIC's recent partnership with KEMI (Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance), cyber insurance and more.

We sat down with Jamie Hasty of SESCO Management, a new resource offered exclusively to you as a KADA member for no additional charge. SESCO Management offers professional human resource management consulting services and has a rich history in working with auto dealers across the country. As a KADA member, you have unlimited email and phone access to SESCO for any HR questions or needs. Whether you're a small dealership under 50 employees or have over 500 employees, SESCO can be an incredible resource for you. They provide knowledge and expertise regarding labor market changes and trends, regulatory updates, company policy and culture, and more. We encourage you to take advantage of this incredible member benefit.

In this episode we sit down with Jim Fitzpatrick of CBT News. Listen as we discuss how to nurture our industry, things we should be looking out for, breaking the current sales model, taking care of your customers, and much more.

In this episode we sit down with Chris Cleveland, Co-founder and CEO of ComplyAuto, one of KADA's newest Preferred Partners.  As you have seen in our Winter is Coming series, we have been working to provide you with materials to help your dealership plan and implement the necessary policies and procedures required by the FTC's amended Safeguards Rule that go into effect December 9, 2022. ComplyAuto has partnered with NADA and 30 other states across the U.S. to automate the complexities of these new regulations and offer a comprehensive set of privacy and cybersecurity tools to let your dealership get back to selling cars.

Bloomberg Intelligence's Kevin Tynan attended the KADA Annual Convention last week in Asheville, N.C. and spoke to dealers from both Kentucky and Virginia. He lays out the case for why declining volume and inventory isn't a result entirely of the pandemic. In fact, he says, it's "orchestrated by the manufacturer."And there may be no going back.

In this episode, your very own KADA staff sits down to chat about all you can expect at our 75th Annual Convention, coming up in less than two weeks! We talk agenda, speakers, our 1920s Great Gatsby party and more. Tune in to make sure you're ready for all the fun that's ahead! 

We sat down with Kevin Tynan, Senior Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, to chat about what you can expect to hear from him at our KADA Convention in just a couple weeks! He'll be chatting about how this dynamic time in the automotive industry is creating a utopia for automakers, how this effects dealers, how the metrics have completely changed in our current market, and so much more. We've worked with Kevin for many years and he never disappoints – you won't want to miss this!

We sat down with Colin Royster and Ben Hoffman of Integrum Advisors to talk more about our new partnership as KADA's health insurance brokers. Whether you're already a part of the KADA health plan or not, listen to hear how their customized services can help your organization. With 30 years of working with dealers and the automotive industry, they have the knowledge and experience to meet your specific needs, whether you've got 50 employees or 500. 

Listen as we begin a series of communications regarding amendments to the FTC's Safeguards Rule alongside our Legal Counsel at Stoll Keenon Ogden. These new amendments heighten the responsibility of the dealer when it comes to protecting consumer information from cyber attacks and data breaches. It's important you understand the new requirements created by these changes and that you are compliant with these rules by December 9, 2022.

As we near the Kentucky Primaries on May 17th, we sat down again with fellow dealer Darrell Billings, to check in as he runs for Representative of the 91st District - Estill, Madison and Powell Counties. Listen as we chat about the general mood of the Kentucky people, increasing workforce participation, the resilience and significance of the dealership community, the importance of electing quality representatives, and more. 

As the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly Session has recently come to a close, we sat down with Representative Ken Upchurch, who represents District 52 - McCreary, Pulaski and Wayne counties. As Chair of the House Transportation Committee, we get his insight on the main bills that will affect our dealers from this Session, as well as other important legislation that will serve the people of Kentucky. With it being an election year, he also shares his perspective on the biggest challenges that Kentucky faces moving forward. 

As the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly Session has just come to a close, we sat down with Tom and Ryan Underwood, KADA's lobbyists, who have been very busy. Listen as we talk through the key bills that impacted our dealers and our industry in this legislative session. From the Clerk's Modernization Bill, to the Temp Tag Bill, to the Catalytic Converter Bill and much more, you'll want to hear this!