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In this episode of Learn to Buy and Sell Cars, Randy Adams shares practical advice to help you avoid costly mistakes when buying, selling, or trading a vehicle. Drawing on more than 60 years in the car business, he explains dealership tactics, the importance of knowing your vehicle's true value, extended warranties, trade-ins, and financing. Randy also offers biblical wisdom and real-world stories to help listeners make informed financial decisions and protect their hard-earned money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today I'm joined by Jimmy Douglas, Founder & CEO at Plug. He breaks down why the top used EV dealers turn inventory in 30 days instead of 59 while selling for 3% more, and shares the arbitrage move of stocking a competitor's EV so you capture a sale that was happening anyway. Topics: 00:47 Tax Credits Killed EV Residuals. 08:20 Selling A Computer On Wheels. 18:29 Live With An EV For One Month. 21:35 Stack Teslas For Massive Arbitrage. 27:25 Detroit's Global EV Future Is Bleak. 39:52 Build More Bays Than You Need. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Digital Dealer - Discover what's working in sales, service, marketing, AI, and operations Join us September 22–23 in Detroit. CDG readers: save 25% — just use code CDG25OFF at checkout. Register today @ here. 2. CDG Circles – Connect with verified dealers, join topic and OEM-specific groups, and get real-world strategies —all inside the CDG Platform. Learn more @ here. 3. Plug – If your dealership is taking EV trade-ins or looking for used EV inventory, you need to check out @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
A fall reset to make this the best season ever for your dealership | The Podcast for Used Car Dealers S5 E60Fall is fast approaching. It's time to do a reset, and make this season the best one ever. How do you do this? We have lots of ideas for you. Watch this episode for our thoughts on the subject, and then tell us about your ideas in the comments! Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Down Payment now! Visit all our sites at:YouTube - @DownPaymentPodcastYouTube - @cardealeru5061X - @DownPaymentPodInstagram - @DownPaymentPodcastDon't forget to like and subscribe! #carsales #usedcar #usedcarsforsale #autosales #automobile #auto #cardealer #cardealership #preownedcar #secondhandcar #buyherepayhere #managmenttraining #manager #managertraining #denver
Stolen cannonballs discovered inside passenger's bag during airline security check, Headline of the Week contender #3: Family furious after car dealership sold elderly, disabled blind man a car, Former federal U.S. Postal Inspector agrees to plead guilty for stealing aproximately $330K in cash from packages See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dealership advertising is nothing new. But where those ads are being shown and the strategy behind them is always evolving. With new advertising channels and changing customer behaviors, it can be difficult getting your ads in front of the right audience by doing it the way it's always been done. Today, Greg's catching up with Owen Moon, CEO at DealerStream. Owen was on Connected 131 back in 2024 and it was great to hear about his new focus in the industry - connecting dealerships to customers through advertising on popular streaming platforms. In this episode, Greg and Owen discuss: -The value of streaming platforms as advertising opportunities, especially with the growth of that audience. -How to capitalize on a mid-funnel approach, capturing customers before they've made their decision. -Ways dealerships using streaming advertising today are seeing success. If you're looking for ways to increase your dealership visibility and reach, or are just interested in other advertising opportunities, give this conversation a listen! And don't forget that Amplify 2026 is happening on August 10 and 11. The event brings together some of the brightest minds in automotive to share ideas, best practices, and innovations that are shaping the future of the industry. We'd love to have you join us there!
This video is the first part of a Premium Pre-Purchase Inspection on a 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera V12 5.2 Twin Turbo.In this episode, I arrive at the Aston Martin dealership and begin the inspection process by reviewing the vehicle's documentation before any physical inspection takes place.In this video you'll see:• Arrival at the Aston Martin dealership• Introduction to the vehicle inspection process• Verification of the vehicle identity• Review of the service history and maintenance records• Documentation and paperwork checks• Discussion of the vehicle specification and factory options• Initial observations before the hands-on inspection begins
Today I'm joined by Frank Esparza, General Manager at Tracy Honda. Frank walks through how his Honda store in Tracy, California, turned a stagnant pay plan into more than a million dollars in net profit growth in twelve months. He breaks down enforcing minimum sales standards, why he moved his advertising budget from broad reach to buyers already in the market, and how a lending partner is approving finance deals that traditional banks reject outright. Topics: 03:00 Raising Standards Drove $1M Growth. 09:20 The Marketing Company That Worked. 13:00 Lower Funnel Marketing Was A Disaster. 28:00 Fix Your Funnel, Fix Your Gross. 32:00 The Passport Home Run. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - If your AI isn't driving real outcomes, it's time to take a closer look @ here. 2. Digital Dealer - Get real strategies to drive sales and tighten operations, September 22–23 in Detroit. CDG readers save 25%. Use code CDG25OFF at checkout. Register today @ here. 3. Upstart - Upstart's connected platform enables consumers to shop from anywhere, which benefits both dealers and buyers. For a brighter car-buying future, visit @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
Episode #1407: Dealership buy-sell activity surges even as profits normalize, GM proves subscriptions are becoming a serious profit center, and Waymo's robotaxis discover that finding a legal parking spot might be harder than driving themselves there. ...
Most hiring conversations start too late. They start with where to post the job. This one starts three steps earlier, with whether you even know what you are hiring for.We brought two powersports recruiters together for this one, and they come at it from opposite sides of the table. Jaye Sanders is a Talent Partner at Dream Team Referrals and Managing Director at Powersports Listings on the M&A side, so she sees how your team affects what your store is actually worth. Kevin Vaughn, who goes by Elvis, just founded Coreline Search, and he was a General Manager at House of Harley-Davidson until a few months ago. He has been GM at three different dealerships and came up from the sales floor all the way to the top seat.Between the two of them you get both sides. Kevin speaks for the dealer who has to make the hire. Jaye speaks for the person deciding whether to take it. It gets honest, it gets a little spicy, and it is packed with things a dealer can act on this week.Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dealershipfixitConnect with Jaye Sanders (Dream Team Referrals): 520-850-0236Connect with Kevin "Elvis" Vaughn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elvisvaughn/Connect with Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry/Follow the Fixit Online: https://linktr.ee/dealershipfixitMotoHunt for Dealers: https://dealers.motohunt.com
The credit bureaus are raising rates for both hard and soft credit pulls, and dealerships are finding the "cost of doing business" is a lot higher than it used to be. Fortunately, rising costs don't necessarily mean higher operating expenses. In this episode, Ken and Jason explain how dealers can uncover opportunities to reduce unnecessary spending without sacrificing the customer experience, and how to take advantage of a shifting landscape to get ahead of the competition. #automotive #dealership
Today I'm joined by George Karolis, President at The Presidio Group. George breaks down why the average dealer is over 70 years old with no succession plan, why nearly 18% of dealers now say they want to sell in the next year, and why the biggest groups are trading luxury stores rather than walking away from them entirely. He also unpacks why Toyota stores now trade like BMW and Mercedes dealerships, and why Carvana's rapid new-car growth might not be the experiment dealers think it is. Topics: 02:30 Ernie Garcia's Tight-Lipped Strategy. 03:00 Carvana's 998-Unit Month. 09:00 18% Of Dealers Want Out. 13:00 Lexus Stores Trade Like Gold. 19:55 The Two Porsche Stories. 23:25 Toyota Trades Like Luxury. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Plug - If your dealership is taking EV trade-ins or looking for used EV inventory, you need to check out @ here. 2. Podium - the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Take a closer look @ here. 3. The Presidio Group - The Presidio Group is one of the longest-standing investment banks focused exclusively on automotive. Explore these and other industry insights @ here. Presidio reports mentioned in today's episode: Q2 2026 M&A Market Update / Presidio Valuation Index Midyear 2026 Dealer Direction Survey Q2 2026 Presidio-NCM Average Dealership Performance Benchmark Q2 2026 Drive-In LIVE Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Today on CarEdge Live, Ray and Zach discuss the latest news from a dealer in Florida. Tune in to learn more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This weeks episode is a dealer only episode, the episode is being housed on product resources as a dealer only episode. Please find the episode on the cloud under dealer tools. https://cloud.precisionplanting.com/product-resources/dealer-tools
If a customer walked onto your forecourt, got ignored for three minutes, then was told to hang on while nobody came back, heads would roll. You'd call it a process failure and fix it that day. So why is exactly that happening on your phone every single day? Roughly one in three callers never gets through to someone who can help. They're not cold leads. They want to buy or book. And when they can't reach you, they don't wait around. They phone the independent down the road who picks up. Phone leads convert at nearly double the rate of internet leads, yet they're the ones we let slip through. This episode lays out where the calls fail, why voicemail is a dead end, and five fixes you can check today. What's covered: • The one in three callers you never knew you were losing • Why phone leads convert at nearly double internet leads and still get neglected • Hold times, voicemail and the exact points where calls fall over • The Monday morning crunch that makes the service desk the biggest offender • How missed calls are quietly costing you service loyalty and repeat sales • What happens to your net promoter score when a customer has to explain themselves three times • Five fixes, including the one most owners never do: dial your own dealership Host Simon Bowkett, or Skippy to regular listeners, runs sales training company Symco Training and spends his days inside real dealerships. This one is data led and personal. It started when he couldn't get hold of a newly acquired group on the phone, and a business partner asked him why it's so hard to spend money with dealers. Before you spend another penny on marketing, listen to this and go dial your own dealership. You might not like what you hear. About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only in spiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon's words 'real world', it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk
Can you help me make more podcasts? Consider supporting me on Patreon as the service is 100% funded by you: https://EVne.ws/patreon You can read all the latest news on the blog here: https://EVne.ws/blog Subscribe for free and listen to the podcast on audio platforms:➤ Apple: https://EVne.ws/apple➤ YouTube Music: https://EVne.ws/youtubemusic➤ Spotify: https://EVne.ws/spotify➤ TuneIn: https://EVne.ws/tunein➤ iHeart: https://EVne.ws/iheart SMART #2 BEGINS VALIDATION TESTING https://evne.ws/y8wtg LI AUTO LAUNCHES UPDATED L6 AT OLD PRICE https://evne.ws/fzl95 FREELANDER 8 BEGINS CHINA PREVIEW TOUR https://evne.ws/0kcu3 BLOGGER JAILED OVER XIAOMI SU7 VIDEO https://evne.ws/00f2e BYD SHOWS DENZA Z9S IN PRODUCTION FORM https://evne.ws/uvpj9 BYD'S FANG CHENG BAO SETS OUT FARTHER https://evne.ws/hofd3 JETOUR OPENS PRE-SALES FOR ZONGHENG F700 https://evne.ws/sb8d8 GM EYES CHEVROLET REBADGE FOR BINGO PRO https://evne.ws/1qcb7
Today I'm joined by Husband and Wife, Kelly and Rob Ruth of Bob Ruth Ford. Married 24 years, Rob and Kelley built the dealership together while he worked bell-to-bell, 78-hour weeks, and she ran the household solo, raising their kids largely on her own. Kelley reveals the role she played long before it had a title, shaping personnel decisions from behind the scenes and backing Rob's zero-revenue media bet on nothing but belief before any money came in. Topics: 05:45 Why Growth Meant Letting Go. 07:20 The Two-Year Transition. 08:40 The Unseen Spouse Impact. 17:30 The Mortgage Rate That Changed Everything. 19:00 The Dopamine Hit Every GM Chases. 28:50 Giving Without Spoiling. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Digital Dealer - Get real strategies to drive sales and tighten operations, September 22–23 in Detroit. Register today @ here. 2. Experian Automotive - Experian's Fraud Protect solution helps dealers identify potential fraud risks earlier in the sales process by leveraging advanced data, analytics, and identity verification tools. Visit @ here. 3. CDG Platform - Dealer intelligence, all in one place. Give your dealership a competitive edge @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Welcome to the Monday Minute – your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your independent dealership with intention.You could take the same million dollars and put it into a dealership, the stock market, an HVAC company, or a dozen other opportunities. The question is not which one sounds better. The question is which one gives you the best return. And if you cannot answer that for your own dealership right now, that is the problem.In this episode, Jeff and Luke make the case for ROI as not just a financial metric but a leadership mindset – and the one number that almost never shows up in a composite or gets discussed at convention despite being the most important scorecard in any business. Jeff walks through what return on investment actually looks like at the dealership level: not just the big picture of what your capital is generating annually, but the granular version – what is your advertising spend returning, what did that new software system actually do for you, what did sending your team to training produce, and is that vendor who told you to spend more money with them actually moving the needle? The best dealers are not making emotional decisions about vendors, marketing sources, or tools. They are measuring. Luke adds that the strongest operators he knows talk about their entire business in ROI terms – and that AI can now do what previous generations never had access to: summarize reports, identify trends, compare performance periods, and surface opportunities that get buried in a stack of DMS exports nobody has time to read.Your assignment this week: identify five major investments in your business right now – marketing, staffing, software, training, vendors – and define what success actually looks like for each one. Then pull the data, use AI tools to organize and compare expected results against actual results, and ask the hard question in black and white: what is producing a return and what is not. If something is not working, it is not an emotional conversation. Adjust it, negotiate it, replace it, or cut it – and take those savings and put them into something that actually moves the needle.Review this week's Sunday newsletter at TheIndependentDealer.com for the full theme and exercises.Not subscribed yet? Sign up now.https://theindependentdealer.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=603446580871d8522a454418d&id=50aae74348Let's build this together.
As auto sales plummet in China, industry analyst John McElroy says one car dealer group is trying to get more shoppers in the door by selling humanoid robots. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D'Arc are Bill O'flanagan, Dealer Principal at Reedman Toll Auto Group, and Todd Kaminski, Head of Direct Markets at Zurich North America to discuss the one interview question that predicts almost everything about whether a new hire will thrive or wash out, and why building a culture of transparency and daily accountability is the real fix for automotive's turnover problem. O'Flanagan shares his go-to interview question, "Who was your best boss and why, and who was your worst boss and why," and explains how the answer tells him everything he needs to know about how someone wants to be managed. He also breaks down why he shares full financial statements with every manager, a move his peers once called "insane," and how a daily 10-minute results call with every manager helped seven of his ten service centers set growth records this year. Kaminski adds a rare outside view from three decades working inside dealerships on why transparency, meritocracy, and recognition are what separate cultures that retain talent from those that don't. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by Zurich North America. Topics: 00:10 The First Three Hires. 01:20 Why Service Manager Is Toughest. 02:25 The Trial Skill That Wins. 04:20 Why Dealer Is Least Important. 06:30 Why Bill Never Wins Arguments. 08:00 The Finance Director's Warning. 11:30 Dating Vs. Marrying Employees. 13:10 The Risky Financial Move. 16:00 Three Pillars Of Culture. 19:40 The 2008 Pivot. 23:15 The Parent-Employee Link. 28:30 The 10-Minute Daily Call. Zurich - Zurich delivers The Zurich Advantage to dealerships nationwide by combining comprehensive F&I products, consultative training, revenue‑generating programs, and wealth‑building profit participation strategies. Grounded in our mission to provide clarity, confidence, and certainty, we help dealers protect what matters, strengthen performance, and build a legacy for the road ahead. Learn more @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
This one is a throwback and the lessons still land hard.Michael Jones Sr is a master technician out of Charlotte, North Carolina, with a couple of decades in the automotive world before he gave it all up to go twist wrenches on motorcycles.He spent about ten years across nearly ten different powersports and motorcycle dealerships, and he came on the show to talk about something a lot of people in this industry feel but do not say out loud: the passion has slipped, and it is costing dealers money.In this conversation with, Michael makes the case that passion and professionalism are not soft ideas. They are directly tied to how profitable a service department is, how loyal customers become, and how a dealership stands out when everyone is pushing the same metal.What we cover:Why passion starts in the employee parking lot and how to spot a disconnectThe gun store comparison: why every employee there knows their product and why motorcycle shops often do notHow employee burnout and social media scrolling quietly drain the profitability of a service departmentThe parts-guy-at-the-bench workflow that saves the mechanic time and makes the shop more moneyWhy the 10-year-and-older rule is a mindset, not a fact, and what dealers miss by turning that work awayPulling back the curtain: why engaging service customers in how things work builds loyalty and repeat businessWhy so many younger customers have never been around machines and how dealers can bring them inMichael's own story as a customer and the service manager who always tells him what is nextWhy texting a customer the owner's manual PDF beats hoping they read the paper copyThe professionalism gap that separates a confident dealership from one that gets caught flat-footedThe Chrome Mafia story: how one independent shop built a riding culture that a four-brand, 30-year dealership could not matchWhy getting 30 to 40% of your staff riding changes everythingWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dealershipfixitConnect with Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry/Follow the Fixit Online: https://linktr.ee/dealershipfixitMotoHunt for Dealers: https://dealers.motohunt.com
Today I'm joined by Matt Leone, CEO at DriveCentric. Matt breaks down why one dealer group ditched a $100,000 Salesforce contract they were barely using, why building your own software rarely pays off the way it promises, and why the next fight in the industry is over who actually owns the customer relationship. Topics: 06:00 The Referee Analogy For Software. 11:50 Consolidation Isn't Happening. 18:30 You're Replacing 7 Vendors. 24:50 Why They Sell You A Car Post-Purchase. 35:10 Auto Is Still A Handshake Industry. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Digital Dealer - At Digital Dealer 2026, every session is built around the problems your dealership is actually facing. No theory, just real strategies that move your numbers. September 22-23 in Detroit. Register @ here. 2. Openlane - During DealerFest 2026, you'll earn points for every vehicle you buy, sell and transport through OPENLANE in July. The more points you earn, the bigger prizes you can win. Learn more @ here. 3. DriveCentric - DriveCentric puts dealerships in the Fast Lane to the Customer with a modern engagement platform built to move faster. Visit @ here for more info. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
- 650 New Models Already Hit China This Year - China Could Restrict Rare Earth Exports - Investors Bet Against Manufacturing Stocks - Hyundai Wants Full Ownership of Boston Dynamics - Mercedes and Hyundai Dealers to Sell Humanoids - Honda Adds Google Gemini - Bigger Lexus ES Replacing Flagship LS - Rivian Reduces Complexity with New R2 - Geely Drive Unit Has Best Efficiency
- 650 New Models Already Hit China This Year - China Could Restrict Rare Earth Exports - Investors Bet Against Manufacturing Stocks - Hyundai Wants Full Ownership of Boston Dynamics - Mercedes and Hyundai Dealers to Sell Humanoids - Honda Adds Google Gemini - Bigger Lexus ES Replacing Flagship LS - Rivian Reduces Complexity with New R2 - Geely Drive Unit Has Best Efficiency
BUILD HIGHER-PERFORMING DEALERSHIPS WITH MOBILE-FIRST, AI-POWERED TRAINING THAT TURNS SHORT-FORM VIDEO, COACHING, GAMIFICATION, AND ROLEPLAY INTO BETTER SALES, STRONGER SERVICE, FASTER ONBOARDING, AND CONFIDENT TEAMS. This is Automotive Ecosystem on ATI.
Today I'm joined by Kelley Stumpe, Founder & CEO at The Car Mom. She has built the largest online following of car-buying moms in the country, and she has never taken a dollar from a manufacturer to do it. That refusal has gotten her blacklisted from press events and cut off from loaner cars, but it has also made her the most trusted voice family car shoppers turn to. Topics: 04:00 The Most Car Seat-Friendly SUV. 06:30 Selling To Women Isn't Different. 09:30 The Seven-Door Car Parents Want. 11:30 Salespeople Know Nothing About Cars. 20:30 The Free Event That Drives Business. 27:10 Why Kelley Stays Undisputed. 41:15 The 100,000-Mile Secret. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Digital Dealer – Join dealership leaders from across the country for two days of expert-led education, practical AI strategies, networking with industry peers, and hands-on access to the latest products and solutions. September 22–23 in Detroit. Register today here. 2. Podium - If your AI isn't driving real outcomes, it's time to take a closer look @ here. 3. CDG Marketplace — Get peer-validated reviews and real-world intel on every major dealership technology provider, all from verified dealers inside the CDG Platform. Visit @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Experience with Innermetrix Profiles: Free to Dealership Minds Summit Workshop Attendees https://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6-opinions-columns/post/25478-part-2-personal-observations-ahead-of-the-hands-on-workshop-at-dealership-minds-summit
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In this episode, Adam Martel talks about stepping up from legacy processes, embracing PartsEdge automation, and what it's like to turn the chaos of managing 50,000+ SKUs into a streamlined, growth-focused operation. From running smarter online sales to preparing for industry shifts like mandatory video MPIs, Adam shares gritty, optimistic insights on staying competitive and turning inventory faster.We dig into the real-world challenges parts managers face: drowning in outdated DMS setups, legacy sources nobody even remembers, and lacking tools to break out of silos. If you've ever felt like inventory is a guessing game, this one's for you.--------------------------------------------This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit
Link Up w/The Morning Sickness Digitally All Over:Instagram: @hms_98_official, @bosskupd, @bretvesely, @dickToledoX/Twitter: @HMSon98, @DickToledo, @bretveselyFacebook: @HMSKUPDYouTube: @hmspodcast9320, @98kupdRequest/Call in/Wakeup Song line:(IN AZ) 602.585.9800More HMS: holmbergpodcast.com, 98kupd.comEmail: dtoledo@98kupd.com, bvesely@98kupd.com, bbogen@98kupd.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today I'm joined by Nick LaSorsa, Director at LaSorsa Auto Group. Nick runs two very different stores in the New York metro, and he lays out the exact playbook he uses to keep both profitable heading into 2026. He explains how a single hiring platform audit uncovered more than $15,000 in wasted spend, why he cancels every vendor contract the day he signs it, and how a mobile fleet service built around school bus recalls became one of the highest-margin corners of his business. Topics: 03:00 Two Stores, Two Personalities. 09:00 The Cancellation Trick That Works. 11:40 Nick Interviews Every Single Hire. 16:20 The Fleet Business Most Ignore. 22:00 New York Auto Is Different. 25:20 Nick's Copy-Paste Growth Plan. 31:20 The Pressure Of Being Second-Gen. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Digital Dealer – Join dealership leaders from across the country for two days of expert-led education, practical AI strategies, networking with industry peers, and hands-on access to the latest products and solutions. September 22–23 in Detroit. Register today here. 2. CDG Marketplace — Get peer-validated reviews and real-world intel on every major dealership technology provider, all from verified dealers inside the CDG Platform. Visit @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Bidbus, which lets dealerships bid on used cars, has raised $15 million in a Series A round that was led by early-stage mobility fund Ibex Investors. Also, Savi just raised $7 million in seed funding, and is launching its app for iPhone and Android on Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today I'm joined by Perry Watson IV, President of NAMAD. Dealership consolidation is accelerating, and the price of entry to ownership has never been higher. Perry breaks down the numbers behind it, including how over 40 percent of new vehicle sales at some brands now come from minority consumers, and why one manufacturer doubled a dealer's sales volume within two years just by getting ownership representation right. Topics: 01:25 Consolidation's Hidden Downside. 02:00 The Academy Training Next-Gen Dealers. 04:10 No Straight Path To Ownership. 04:50 The Business Case For Minority Dealers. 10:00 The Conference Where Deals Get Done. 14:45 The Mentor Who Sold To His Employee. 16:25 How Erica Tiffany Became A Dealer. 25:50 The Secret Fund NAMAD Is Building. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. If your AI isn't driving real outcomes, it's time to take a closer look @ here. 2. Openlane - The world's best online dealer marketplace for used cars, bringing you exclusive inventory, simple transactions, and better outcomes. Learn more @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
In this episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, Sean V. Bradley sits down with Ross Tinkham, Vice President and General Manager of Podium, for a forward-thinking conversation about why artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend… It's becoming a competitive necessity for dealerships! "The ability for your team to work with AI is really important. You're hiring an employee; you are going to be using AI to communicate with your customers." - Ross Tinkham As consumer expectations continue to rise, dealerships are under increasing pressure to respond faster, communicate more effectively, and deliver a seamless customer experience around the clock. Sean and Ross explore how conversational AI is transforming the way dealerships engage with customers, manage incoming leads, and create operational efficiencies across both sales and service departments. "AI is not magical like anything else. What you get out of it is what you put into it." - Sean V. Bradley Without giving away the full conversation, this episode dives into the opportunities AI presents for automotive retailers looking to improve customer engagement, overcome staffing challenges, and scale their operations without sacrificing the customer experience. From lead response and appointment setting to service communications and dealership workflows, you'll discover why the dealerships embracing AI today are positioning themselves to lead the industry tomorrow. "Every dealership should have an AI strategy." - Ross Tinkham Whether you're a dealer principal, general manager, sales manager, BDC director, or automotive professional, this episode will challenge the way you think about AI and reveal why adapting now may be one of the smartest business decisions you make. Because the future of automotive isn't about replacing people with AI… it's about empowering people with AI. Key Takeaways: ✅ AI can significantly enhance dealership operations by automating customer interactions, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates. ✅ Hiring AI-savvy employees or training current staff in AI can provide a competitive edge and maximize the utility of advanced AI systems. ✅ Podium's Jerry 2.0 AI effectively manages inbound and outbound communications, improving response times and customer satisfaction. ✅ There is a growing necessity for an integrated AI strategy in dealerships, focusing on both sales and service departments. ✅ AI can take on routine tasks, allowing human staff to focus on more complex and personalized customer interactions. About Ross Tinkham Ross Tinkham is the Vice President and General Manager of Automotive at Podium, where he leads the company's automotive division and helps thousands of dealerships leverage AI to transform customer communication, lead management, and operational efficiency. Over the past eight years, Ross has played a pivotal role in growing Podium's automotive business through sales leadership, strategic partnerships, and business development, helping establish the company as one of the industry's leading technology providers. Today, Podium serves more than 110,000 businesses worldwide, including over 9,000 automotive dealerships, with cutting-edge conversational AI solutions designed to improve customer engagement, accelerate response times, increase appointments, and drive dealership profitability. A recognized thought leader in automotive technology and artificial intelligence, Ross is passionate about helping dealerships embrace innovation while enhancing the customer experience. His expertise spans AI strategy, digital retail, dealership operations, and the evolving role of automation in modern automotive sales and service. When he's not helping shape the future of automotive retail, Ross enjoys spending time with his family and taking advantage of everything New England's four seasons have to offer. AI-Powered Automotive Sales: Revolutionizing Car Dealership Strategies Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a futuristic dream; it's a present-day reality transforming industries at lightning speed—automotive sales being a prime example. In a recent dynamic conversation between Sean V. Bradley and Ross Tinkham on leveraging AI to streamline automotive dealership processes, several powerful insights emerged. From sales acceleration to service optimization, the application of AI invariably paints a promising landscape for dealerships striving to stay ahead in a fiercely competitive market. Key Takeaways Embracing AI can consistently enhance lead conversion rates by ensuring timely responses and personalized interactions. AI's ability to customize processes aligns with the unique needs of each dealership, driving operational efficiency. Investing in AI expertise within teams empowers dealership employees to leverage AI tools effectively, thereby maximizing impact. Revolutionizing Lead Conversion with AI AI's ability to revolutionize the lead conversion process cannot be overstated. As discussed in the transcript, AI ensures "every lead's getting the attention it deserves and it's happening in a timely manner," according to Ross Tinkham. With AI, responses to inquiries are not delayed but are instantaneous, engaging potential customers with precision and relevance. In the competitive automotive market, a timely response can be the difference between winning a customer or losing them to a competitor. Moreover, deploying AI allows for a consistent engagement strategy, addressing potential customers' needs immediately. Tinkham illustrates this by emphasizing that AI can interact with customers at any time of day, ensuring none of the inbound leads fall through the cracks. "AI is the first line of defense," he stresses. With technology like Podium's AI platform, dealerships can configure to cover all online leads, thereby converting more prospects to customers. This automation doesn't replace human roles but complements them, taking over repetitive tasks and allowing human resources to focus on higher-level customer interactions and strategy. Tailoring AI to Enhance Dealership Operations A standout advantage of AI is its adaptability to the unique operations of each dealership. Through training and customization, AI becomes an invaluable team member, each dealership can mold its AI to fit specific scenarios and protocols. As Tinkham mentions, "We want to make sure whatever process is working for you and your team can just be replicated with the AI agent that you're handling." The AI's ability to handle various customer interactions—from responding to Kelley Blue Book inquiries to scheduling test drives—showcases its seamless integration into existing systems. "The ability to fully customize, train, and give feedback to an agent" elevates the effectiveness of AI, ensuring that it augments, rather than conflicts with, a dealership's established workflow. This tailored approach means AI can address franchise, new car, and used car dealership needs specifically, setting AI-equipped dealerships apart in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. The Human-AI Synergy: Building an AI-Ready Team The evolution towards AI-driven operations mandates a shift in mindset among dealership teams. The transcript offers a pragmatic perspective on the future workforce, suggesting the inclusion of AI proficiency as a desirable skill. The importance of "adding AI expertise to your hiring profile" beckons dealerships to recruit and train employees who can maximize the potential of AI tools. Understanding AI technologies equips employees to interact effectively with these tools and harness their full potential. Podium makes this integration seamless as Tinkham notes, "No AI expertise required to train your podium agent." Yet, having such expertise on-site enhances a dealership's edge, allowing for tailored AI applications that address specific needs, thus paving the way for enhanced customer engagement and internal operational capabilities. Revamping the Automotive Future with AI AI is more than a tool—it's a transformative force reshaping how car dealerships operate. From revolutionizing lead conversion rates with instantaneous, tailored responses to customizing operational workflows, AI is poised to become an indispensable part of the automotive sales industry. Dealerships that embrace this technological evolution not only elevate their current operations but also prepare themselves for future growth. As AI continues to advance, its integration into every aspect of the dealership experience—from internet lead conversion to service call management—shows promise. By recognising the value AI brings, dealerships can future-proof their operations, ensure profitability, and offer a customer experience benchmarks of quality and satisfaction. Looking to the horizon, the focus remains clear: the strategic incorporation of artificial intelligence into dealership operations is not optional—it's imperative. Embracing AI ensures not only survival but offers thriving potential in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. As echoed throughout the broadcast between Bradley and Tinkham, the time to act is now, setting benchmarks for what future automotive customer experiences should embody. Resources + Our Proud Sponsors: ➼ Podium: The AI Platform Powering the Modern Dealership. From instant lead response to seamless test drive scheduling, Podium's AI Employee Jerry works 24/7 to turn every lead into a conversion, so your team can focus on closing. Trusted by thousands of dealerships nationwide and proudly featured on the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast. Learn how Podium can help you sell more cars, book more service appointments, and grow your dealership. Discover how Podium's innovative AI technology can unlock unparalleled efficiency and drive your dealership's sales to new heights. Visit www.podium.com/mcs to learn more! ➼ The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group: Join the #1 Automotive Sales Mastermind Facebook Group with over 29,000 automotive professionals worldwide. The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group is the go-to community for car salespeople, BDC agents, sales managers, general managers, and dealer principals looking to increase performance, income, and leadership skills. Inside the group, members collaborate daily on automotive sales strategies, lead handling, phone scripts, closing techniques, CRM best practices, dealership leadership, and accountability systems. Learn directly from top automotive trainers, industry mentors, and high-performing sales leaders who are actively winning in today's market. If you're serious about growing your automotive career, increasing car sales, and building long-term success, join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today! ➼ Dealer Synergy: Dealer Synergy is the automotive industry's #1 Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm, with over 20 years of proven dealership success nationwide. We specialize in helping car dealerships increase sales, improve processes, and build high-performing Sales, Internet, and BDC departments from the ground up. Our expertise includes automotive phone scripts, rebuttals, CRM action plans, lead handling strategies, BDC workflows, Internet sales processes, management training, and accountability systems. Dealer Synergy partners directly with dealership leadership to align people, process, and technology, ensuring consistent results and scalable growth. From independent dealers to large dealer groups and OEM partnerships, Dealer Synergy delivers measurable performance improvements, stronger teams, and sustainable profitability. ➼ Bradley On Demand: Bradley On Demand is the automotive industry's most advanced interactive training, tracking, testing, and certification platform for car dealerships — built to develop top-performing teams across Sales, Internet Sales, BDC, CRM, Phone Skills, Leadership, and Management. In addition to LIVE virtual automotive training classes and a library of 9,000+ on-demand dealership training modules, Bradley On Demand now includes AI Phone Roleplaying and Coaching to help salespeople and BDC agents practice real dealership conversations before they ever get on the phone with customers. This AI-powered roleplay technology strengthens phone scripts, objection handling, appointment setting, lead follow-up, and closing skills, while providing measurable coaching feedback for continuous improvement. Bradley On Demand empowers dealerships to train faster, coach smarter, improve call performance, increase closing ratios, and sell more cars more profitably — all through structured, trackable, modern automotive training.
For nearly 30 years, John Inman, CEO McCurley Dealerships has helped lead one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected dealership groups. But this conversation isn't about awards or success stories, it's about what leadership looks like when the industry refuses to stand still. We talk openly about the pressure leaders face as AI reshapes retail, why execution is still harder than strategy, and what separates organizations that adapt from those that get left behind. John shares how his team is evaluating new technology, involving frontline employees in major decisions, improving fixed operations and staying focused on the one thing that never goes out of style: earning customer trust. If you're a dealer principal, executive, manager, or simply someone responsible for leading people through change, this episode offers practical insight. Just honest conversation about what it takes to build stronger teams, make smarter decisions, and keep moving forward in an industry that's evolving faster than ever. Sometimes the biggest competitive advantage isn't finding the next tool. It's building a team that's willing to grow with it. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast | https://apple.co/38lmHM1 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t | Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx
This episode of the Parts Edge Podcast is recorded live at the NCM Fuel the Future Fixed Ops Summit and dives into the future of service lane technology in dealerships. The conversation focused on differentiating between "shiny object" AI and workflow-driven, value-added AI that truly improves the fixed operations customer experience. The discussion explored practical examples of AI-driven customer communications, service scheduling, and technician video processes—showing how the right tech can fix the foundation of your dealership and power more efficient, customer-focused service.One concept discussed was the critical need to meet customers where they are (like texting instead of making them download an app), as well as how embedded AI is removing friction from scheduling, diagnostics, and communications. A key theme that emerged was the importance of real dealership workflows guiding tech implementation—not the other way around. Several points were raised, including AI's role in video grading, language translation, escalation of customer issues, and personalizing service processes for both the team and the end customer.Whether you manage a bustling parts department or oversee a full-service lane, this episode is packed with gritty, motivating insights for those ready to turn inventory, reduce wasted time, and deliver exactly what customers expect in 2024.--------------------------------------------This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit
Today I'm joined by Scott Traylor, Vice President at Mia Labs. Scott breaks down how voice AI is pulling $8,000 to $30,000 a month in after-hours revenue at stores where customers used to just hit a voicemail, why service advisors are letting calls go unanswered on purpose, and how Mia became the first voice AI company approved by General Motors for their co-op program. If you think AI is still a future conversation, Scott makes the case that you're already in the same moment as when someone first told you that you needed a website. Topics: 02:30 The No-Saturday-Meeting Rule. 03:50 Why Salespeople Sold 25 Cars. 12:40 AI Is The New Internet. 14:20 The $30K Revenue Stream Ignored. 17:30 The 1.9-Second Secret. 23:50 The OEM Light-Years Ahead. 28:10 Parts Is AI's Next Frontier. 39:55 The Side Mirror Lesson. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Uber for Business - Uber for Business pulls courtesy rides and reporting into one dashboard, so you can see what you're spending and set limits that hold. Visit @ here to get started. 2. CDG Dealer Platform – Dealer intelligence, all in one place. Give your dealership a competitive edge @ here. 3. Mia - Your 24/7 AI receptionist who speaks like a human, not a robot. Never miss another lead. Visit @ here for more info. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Tom Mitchell, the Honest Car Guy, explains how his transparent car-buying model is changing the way people shop for vehicles. He shares real stories of customers saving money, avoiding common dealership tactics, and finding the right car without spending hours at the dealership. Plus, Tom breaks down current market trends, recalls to watch out for, and why honesty is his biggest selling point. Watch The Morning Xtra every weekday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the Xtra 106.3 YouTube or listen on the Xtra 106.3 App
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D'Arc are Mike Martucci, General Manager at Jim Ellis Kia, and Kevin Esmezyan, Chief Product Officer at Matador AI to discuss how conversational AI is turning a three-person sales team handling 700 leads a month into a machine that doubles close rates and books service appointments at nearly 90% — while most dealers are still missing after-hours calls and watching customers drive to the competition. Mike walked into a store with a light lead count and a low close rate and used Matador AI to nearly double both. Today, three team members handle 696 leads a month, two-thirds of all appointments are booked by AI, and his service retention rate has climbed from the 30s to 50%. Kevin explains how a crawl-walk-run onboarding process builds an AI that learns a dealer's specific playbook, and why the compounding effect of small adjustments over time is what actually moves the numbers. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by Matador AI. Topics: 05:00 Service Retention From 30% To 50%. 06:20 How One Dealer Doubled Close Rate. 07:50 Auto's 2% Profit Margin Problem. 11:35 Why Mike Trusts AI With Customers. 12:50 The AI That Learns To Think Like Mike. 13:45 The GM's New Job In 2026. 15:50 Why Auto Dealers Hide Pricing. 17:10 AI Books Two-Thirds Of Appointments. 18:20 Three BDC Staff Handle 700 Leads. 19:10 The Phone Book Lesson Every Dealer Needs. 21:20 The AI That Covers Customer Lifecycle. 23:20 Why Most AI Tools Fail Dealers. Matador AI - Most dealerships are losing leads in the follow-up. Matador AI fixes that. It's not generic automation. It's dealership-trained AI, built on millions of real conversations and optimized around what converts. In a thin-margin business, every conversation matters. Book your demo today and get your first month free @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #365, Chris, Hogi, and Adam take the show on the road to beautiful Indiana! Broadcasting completely LIVE, Chris shares a deeply personal origin story, from the childhood humiliation that fueled his entrepreneurial drive to the grueling process of pitching over 100 banks just to buy his first store. The team breaks down how transitioning from a Fixed Ops operator to a full Dealership Owner permanently altered Chris's approach to the service drive. We dive into the "Circle of Life" in a dealership, why standard industry departmental silos are destroying the customer experience, and how to weaponize vehicle personalization and accessories to drive massive profitability. Plus: The crew discusses why poor dealership processes chew up good employees, and why a bad user interface in a rental Ford Expedition got them thinking about subconscious customer trust.
Chase Vance has a resume that is almost unheard of in this industry. He started on the parts counter in 2008 and worked his way up through every single seat in the store. Sales, finance, general manager, regional director, managing partner, and then National Director of Business Development at RideNow Powersports, the largest dealer group in the country. He recently stepped into a new chapter as Director of Operations at the Zia and Lonestar Powersports Group.This is one of the most complete career conversations we have done on the show. We pull a lesson from every seat Chase has held, get into what actually breaks when you scale a dealer group, and have an honest talk about growth, burnout, and building a career you can sustain in this industry.If you are trying to climb the ladder, build a team, or grow a group, this episode is a roadmap.What we cover:The one thing Chase wishes he knew on day one behind the parts counterWhy the parts department is about problem solving and personalization, not just handing someone a batteryThe CARE framework: Create A Rare Experience, and why it is the ultimate retention toolHow to compete with Amazon and RevZilla through human interaction and the art of the follow-upWhy the toughest thing Chase had to learn was the CRM and the discipline of follow-upWhat separates a good salesperson from an average one, and the Ken Griffey Jr. lesson about mastering the basicsWhy new salespeople fail when they try to get too cute and cut cornersThe F&I lesson: you have to know and believe in the product, and why packaging beats a laundry listWhy the needs assessment matters more than product penetration in the boxThe biggest shift moving from one department to running the whole store: time management and selective urgencyWhy departments cannot operate in silos and how sales sells the first one but service sells the next fourWhat breaks when you scale from one rooftop to many and the power of a 30,000 foot viewWhy standardizing your tech stack matters, and how MotoHunt across a group lets operators phone a friendThe honest advice on scaling: if your store is broken now, a second one will only stack problemsWhy being able to step out of a store is the real telltale sign of a well-run dealershipThe candid story of stepping out of operations and why Chase calls it a step forward, not a step backThe Clay Wallace philosophy: master the job in front of you, be a student of the job ahead, be a teacher of the job belowWhy the number one thing blocking your growth is not having your replacement readyThe mindset for a long career: keep the little kid excitement every time you put the key in the doorChase's work with Veterans Xtreme Adventures and why it matters to himWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dealershipfixitConnect with Chase Vance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-vance-7685b4148/Veterans Xtreme Adventures: https://www.vetsxtreme.com/Connect with Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry/Follow the Fixit Online: https://linktr.ee/dealershipfixitMotoHunt for Dealers: https://dealers.motohunt.com
AJ McGowan, VP of Research and Development at Reynolds & Reynolds. He breaks down why fragmented software platforms are quietly limiting what AI can see and do, uses a service drive scenario to show how a fully connected system could surface a high-value trade opportunity in real time, and explains why Reynolds is investing in its own hardware infrastructure to make that scale. Topics: 03:25 Why Auto AI Is Different. 06:45 Real AI Vs. Gimmicks. 08:45 Why Reynolds Is Buying Hardware. 13:15 The Bloomberg Terminal For Used Cars. 17:30 What Ray Actually Does. 22:50 Where Dealers Still Find An Edge. 28:35 Why Consolidation Is Now Critical. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Matador AI - Most dealerships are losing leads in the follow-up. Matador AI fixes that. It's not generic automation. It's dealership-trained AI, built on millions of real conversations and optimized around what converts. In a thin-margin business, every conversation matters. Book your demo today and get your first month free @ here. 2. Zurich - Zurich Advisor IQ is Zurich's AI-driven training and coaching platform built to help F&I teams perform more consistently and sell more effectively — using real transaction data, not theory. By analyzing actual F&I transactions, Zurich Advisor IQ helps identify behaviors and trends influencing results, delivers actionable insights and roleplay scenarios, and gives dealership leaders visibility into performance across managers, stores and rooftops. Connect with your Zurich representative to request a demo and see how Zurich Advisor IQ can help turn F&I insight into stronger dealership performance. Discover more @ here. 3. Reynolds and Reynolds - Turn cars faster and increase profit with AutoVision, an end-to-end inventory management suite that optimizes every step of the used vehicle lifecycle. From acquisition to sale, AutoVision gives you a clear way to manage inventory. Visit AutoVision.com for more information. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Today I'm joined by Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier, Co-founders at More Than Cars. Paul and Kyle break down exactly how a single exposed API key can hand a hacker access to an entire dealer management system, why dealerships are uniquely at risk given the volume of sensitive customer data they store, and what the best operators are doing to build securely before the first major breach hits the industry. Topics: 00:25 Dealerships' Most Under-Resourced Dept. 02:40 Why Auto Ads Are The Worst. 04:50 The $734 Symptom Dealers Ignore. 09:50 How One Dealer Cut Ad Cost By $200. 18:10 The Widget Killing Your Conversion. 24:25 Lost 50% Of Staff, Sales Soared. 27:45 The Knowledge Graph Every Dealer Needs. 46:10 Rebrand As A Hospitality Business. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Uber for Business - Dealers, give your customers what they want: courtesy Uber rides. To learn how Uber for Business can help you drive customer loyalty, one ride at a time, visit @ here today to learn more. 2. Reynolds and Reynolds - Turn cars faster and increase profit with AutoVision, an end-to-end inventory management suite that optimizes every step of the used vehicle lifecycle. Visit @ here for more info. 3. CDG Dealer Platform – Dealer intelligence, all in one place. Give your dealership a competitive edge @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
- Rising Tech Costs Signal New Chip Shortage - BYD Splits R and D into Five Brand Units - Porsche Plans Massive Job Cuts - Ferrari Denies Linking Luce EV To Allocations - Toyota Boosting RAV4 Production in Kentucky - European Automakers Pool Resources for Open-Source Software - Stellantis Reveals 9.5% Stake in Factorial - Ranking the Largest U.S. Automotive Dealer Groups - New Ford Electric Pickup Truck Design Details
The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
Episode 1376: Today, Chris and Nathan join Paul to talk about the Luther Automotive Group has set up its community involvement page and all the amazing things they're doing.
#870: The Fed holds rate steady in Kevin Warsh's first meeting, but the central bank teases a rate hike is more likely than a cut. Carvana introduces a new ‘playground' concept where shoppers can test-drive cars while purchases are still online. Qantas unveiled a new fly-direct route from Sydney to London, which would become the longest commercial passenger route in the world. Then, it's Neal's Numbers on World Cup teams, parents and kids looking at screens during meal times, and Toy Story 5. Finally, the US-Iran sign a Memorandum of Understanding to open the Strait of Hormuz To learn more visit https://www.servicenow.com Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here: https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note Watch Morning Brew Daily Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow Paid endorsement. Brokerage services provided by Open to the Public Investing Inc, member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services by Public Advisors LLC, SEC-registered adviser. Investing involves risk. Not investment advice. Agentic Brokerage is an AI-powered conversational tool that allows you to enter instructions for a set of self-directed, recurring transactions (your “Agent”) for your account. Outputs from Agentic Brokerage are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered investment recommendations or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com/disclosures. See terms of match program at https://public.com/disclosures/matchprogram. Matched funds must remain in your account for at least 5 years. Match rate and other terms are subject to change at any time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today I'm joined once again by Alan Haig, President at Haig Partners. Dealer profits fell 16% in the first quarter of 2026, yet the number of dealerships changing hands surged 39% over the same period last year. Alan breaks down the capital stockpile dealers built during the COVID era, why franchise values have held steady despite softer earnings, and which brands represent the best buying opportunities right now. Topics: 00:20 Buy-Sells Boom As Values Drop. 01:45 The Profit Number Dealers Can't Hide. 05:35 39% More Stores Sold. 09:20 Two Beaten Brands Smart Money Buys. 11:35 VW's Disastrous Dealer Meeting. 14:10 Why AI Hasn't Made A Dime. 25:05 The Senator Blocking A 23% Crash. 42:10 The 20% Return Hooked Investors. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Experian Automotive - Experian's Fraud Protect solution helps dealers identify potential fraud risks earlier in the sales process by leveraging advanced data, analytics, and identity verification tools. Visit @ here for more info. 2. Matador AI - Discover why the biggest dealership groups in America are using Matador AI to enhance their Sales and BDC teams to sell and service more cars than ever before. Head to @ here and book your demo today. 3. Haig Partners - The Haig Report® sets the standard for dealership M&A data and trends in auto retail. Read it @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Welcome to Dealer War Room from Car Dealership Guy, where we sit down with top operators to break down how they're navigating the biggest challenges in auto retail. These three rural store owners share the specific moves working right now: Scott Simons bought a Chevy store for $6.9M and tripled sales & fixed ops in under a year. Rob Ruth built a street-sourcing machine buying 300 cars/month from consumers at a 7% cost advantage over auction. Kyle Coleman launched a $59.99 oil change, driving a 20% jump in customer-paid service visits in 30 days while the industry shrank. Three models, three playbooks, built for today's market. Topics: 14:20 Nissan Is The Fastest Growing Brand. 25:10 Simple Stair Steps Win Every Time. 31:45 A '50s Building Selling 400 Cars. 42:30 Pickup & Delivery Solves Service. 55:20 The FTC Crackdown Is A Gift. This episode is brought to you by: 1. CDG Dealer Platform – Benchmark your performance against thousands of rooftops. Give your dealership a competitive edge at https://cdgapp.ai/. 2. Guidepoint Systems – Guidepoint Systems is becoming a dealer's most important retention tool. Visit @ here for more info. 3. TARGIT – TARGIT is an end-to-end business intelligence platform that gives car dealers worldwide complete visibility and control over all their operational data. Learn more about TARGIT @ here. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D'Arc are Frederick Grimm, Co-Founder and COO of AppraisalPro, and Danny Galat, General Sales Manager at Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Bend, to discuss how dealers are using real-time diagnostic scanning to stop taking hidden mechanical losses on trade-ins and turn a wholesale department that was bleeding money into one that's actually profitable. Danny walks through the $8,000 Ford Raptor miss that kept him up at night and drove him to find a better way to appraise used vehicles. The numbers that follow are hard to ignore: 20% of trade-in appraisals show a check engine light cleared within the last 50 miles, the average dealer is sitting on $15,000 to $20,000 in hidden reconditioning costs every month, and Danny's wholesale department swung from a loss to a profit by more than 300% in a single year. Frederick also breaks down how the tool detects odometer rollback and VIN fraud before a bad deal makes it onto your lot. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by AppraisalPro. Topics: 03:25 The $8,000 Raptor Miss That Changed Everything. 04:50 Why Warm Engines Hide Costly Problems. 06:10 The 30-Second Appraisal That Saves Thousands. 07:30 The Customer Who Got Caught Red-Handed. 09:00 Why Every Salesperson Needs A Lanyard Now. 10:10 The 10 Million Scans Powering Your Appraisals. 12:40 20% Of Trade-Ins Had Their Codes Cleared. 13:50 $15-20K In Hidden Recon Costs Found Monthly. 16:30 From Wholesale Loss To Profit In One Year. 17:50 The 300% Profit Swing You Can't Ignore. 18:30 Why 94% Of Dealers Convert After The Trial. 20:00 The $5,000 Guarantee You Need To Take. AppraisalPro - AppraisalPRO helps dealers instantly uncover the true mechanical reconditioning costs of trade-ins before they buy them, helping reduce surprises and protect profitability. The platform can also detect recently cleared check engine lights and hidden issues that may otherwise go unnoticed during the appraisal process. Start your free trial @ here! Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Geri Lynn is a 40-year Nissan dealer-owner in Houma, Louisiana, known for human-centered leadership, visible presence on the lot, and turning a once-skeptical car-buying experience into a culture of trust and fun. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. The customer is not always right; protecting and valuing your employees creates better long-term customer experiences. 2. Business success comes from consistent culture, trust, and human connection not just transactions. 3. Visibility and accessibility as a leader build trust faster than any marketing strategy ever could. Check out Geri's website - GerilynnNissan Website Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. NetSuite - If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at NetSuite.com/fire. Revenued - Built for small business owners who need fast, flexible access to working capital, without relying on your personal credit score. Apply now at Revenued.com/fire.