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November 25, 2024 ~ Max Muncey, LaFontaine Automotive Group's senior Manager of Corporate Communications joins Paul live at Hunger Free in the D.
November 25, 2024 ~ At the Hunger Free in the D radiothon, Max Muncey, LaFontaine Automotive Group's senior manager of corporate communications, joins Kevin to share why they decided to sponsor today's radiothon.
Apprenticeships are not a thing of the past. Thomas, Casey, and Steven of the LaFontaine Automotive Group join Rob in the studio this week to talk about their apprenticeship program. Dealerships are not like they use to be 50 years ago with people out front waving signs, and trying to scam you. No, LaFontaine has a mission to build up young professionals, pay them well, and teach skills that will last a life time. If you are a young adult or know someone working through determining their career path, then this is the episode for you! Show Links Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website. Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/ Guest Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaFontaine.Cadillac.Buick.GMC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafontaine_cadillac_buick_gmc/
Faces of Manufacturing is a new show to Michigan Business Network. Cindy Kangas, Executive Director, CAMC, Capital Area Manufacturing Council, Lansing, Michigan, co-hosts with Joy Wagner, HR Manager of Granger Waste Services, also Lansing. Cindy and Joy strive to share the corporate culture, personal stories, and unique personalities of those making a living in manufacturing today, in Michigan. With that in mind, this month they connected with several members of the LaFontaine family of dealerships. The Family Deal: It's Not Just What You Get, It's How You Feel. At LaFontaine our mission is to build lifelong relationships that connect families, strengthen communities and personalize the automotive experience. Our mission reflects the manifestation of six core values: Accountability, Respect, Team Work, Passion, Communication, and Responsibility. The combination of both the mission and core values provides the basic foundation of our promise to you… To treat every customer like they are members of our family. To respect their unique needs, to be accountable for our actions as it relates to your experience, to assemble the best individuals in the industry to be part of your team, communicate with transparency, be responsible to the communities you live in and we do business in, and to approach each day with passion. Simply put… The Family Deal. It's not what you get, it's how you feel. – Ryan LaFontaine Founded in 1980 by Michael Sr. and Maureen LaFontaine, the nationally-recognized LaFontaine Automotive Group now includes 54 retail franchises, 9 collision centers and 34 Michigan retail locations. The Group employs nearly 2,600 individuals. It's the ongoing mission of the LaFontaine family and passionate team members to personalize the automotive experience by building lifelong relationships that connect families and strengthen communities. The LaFontaine Family Deal; it's not just what you get, it's how you feel. “We are extremely passionate and pour into our customers, local communities and employees,” said Ryan LaFontaine, CEO, LaFontaine Automotive Group. “Our entire LaFontaine team takes great pride in delivering a best-in-class personalized customer experience, and that commitment has fueled our growth and the life-long relationships we've cultivated over the decades of doing business.” “We encourage our employees to become involved in their community, volunteering and working with organizations striving to make a positive impact,” said Kelley LaFontaine, Vice President, LaFontaine Automotive Group. “Being a strong community supporter and partner has been a cornerstone of LaFontaine Automotive Group and something my mom, Maureen LaFontaine instilled in us all.” The combination of both the mission and core values provides the basic foundation of our promise … to treat every customer like they are members of our family. From sales, to service, body shop, to parts, LaFontaine Automotive Group is able to meet any customer's specific needs. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/
If you are going to buy a car, you will likely take it for a test drive. Why shouldn't careers work the same way? This week, Rob is joined by Grassroots Brand Manager Casey Jacobsen and Cadillac Brand Specialist Richie Weinberg from LaFontaine Automotive Group. Richie graduated from LaFontaine's internship program to a full-time position in the family-owned business, and now he and Casey want to educate the community on the opportunities LaFontaine offers. In this conversation, we discuss about the importance of getting hands-on experience, teaching soft skills, and the details of what has made this program a success. Show Links Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website. Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/ Guest Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaFontaine.Cadillac.Buick.GMC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafontaine_cadillac_buick_gmc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lafontaine-automotive-group/ Website: https://www.familydeal.com/
Kelley LaFontaine is the Vice President of LaFontaine Automotive Group, and an active investor in her community. Whether it is supporting cancer research to helping small businesses, Kelley shares her recipe on why it's important to be actively involved in your community and how she does it. About Kelley LaFontaine Kelley oversees the day-to-day operations of the LaFontaine Automotive Group consisting of 41 different franchises, 22 retail locations and seven body shops across Southeast Michigan. She directs all of the organization's grassroots marketing initiatives and launched the LaFontaine Business to Business department that now thrives across the entire automotive group. Kelley's out-of-the-box thinking led to the opening of the Lady La Boutique and Oh la la Cafe inside the LaFontaine's flagship Cadillac, Buick, GMC dealership in Highland, Michigan. With heart for giving back that reaches far beyond her own backyard, Kelley sits on the board of three non-profit organizations including U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation, Angels of Hope and Project 1. She is also involved in the Automotive Women's Alliance and Inforum Automotive Next. Kelley is the past chairperson of the Huron Valley Optimist Childhood Cancer Campaign as well as the past Preident of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce. She has been a humble recipient of many remarkable awards including the 2011 Leukemia Lymphona Society National Woman of the Year, 2012 Civic Leadership Award, the 2012 D-Business 30 in Their 30's honor, Twilight Civic Leadership Award in 2012, winner of RARE Everyday Heroes Award in 2012, 2014 Oakland County Executive Elite 40 Under 40 award, and the Angels of Hope Chairman's Award in 2015 and 2016. Kelley is also proud to have received the nationally recognized Dealer of the Year award, alongside her family, at LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC of Highland for eight years running. Related Episodes The Social Entrepreneur and her $100 Million Bond A Guide for Daughters in Automotive The Correlation of Homes Sales to Auto Sales Business Insights and Strategies from NADA 2021 COVID Mini Series: Upward Social Mobility Vanlife Mini Series: Home Is Where You Park It Notes | Resources Kelley LaFontaine | LaFontaine Automotive Group U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation | Web Intro song | WEARETHEGOOOD | Spotify ***** Wisco Weekly ***** Founder and Host, Dennis Wisco, takes his Business Class listeners through the culture and society of automotive business. Subscribe and follow the money to know where you can #maketheinvestment. ✌(-‿-)✌
Kelley LaFontaine is the Vice President of LaFontaine Automotive Group, and an active investor in her community. Whether it is supporting cancer research to helping small businesses, Kelley shares her recipe on why it's important to be actively involved in your community and how she does it. About Kelley LaFontaine Kelley oversees the day-to-day operations of the LaFontaine Automotive Group consisting of 41 different franchises, 22 retail locations and seven body shops across Southeast Michigan. She directs all of the organization's grassroots marketing initiatives and launched the LaFontaine Business to Business department that now thrives across the entire automotive group. Kelley's out-of-the-box thinking led to the opening of the Lady La Boutique and Oh la la Cafe inside the LaFontaine's flagship Cadillac, Buick, GMC dealership in Highland, Michigan. With heart for giving back that reaches far beyond her own backyard, Kelley sits on the board of three non-profit organizations including U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation, Angels of Hope and Project 1. She is also involved in the Automotive Women's Alliance and Inforum Automotive Next. Kelley is the past chairperson of the Huron Valley Optimist Childhood Cancer Campaign as well as the past Preident of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce. She has been a humble recipient of many remarkable awards including the 2011 Leukemia Lymphona Society National Woman of the Year, 2012 Civic Leadership Award, the 2012 D-Business 30 in Their 30's honor, Twilight Civic Leadership Award in 2012, winner of RARE Everyday Heroes Award in 2012, 2014 Oakland County Executive Elite 40 Under 40 award, and the Angels of Hope Chairman's Award in 2015 and 2016. Kelley is also proud to have received the nationally recognized Dealer of the Year award, alongside her family, at LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC of Highland for eight years running. Related Episodes The Social Entrepreneur and her $100 Million Bond A Guide for Daughters in Automotive The Correlation of Homes Sales to Auto Sales Business Insights and Strategies from NADA 2021 COVID Mini Series: Upward Social Mobility Vanlife Mini Series: Home Is Where You Park It Notes | Resources Kelley LaFontaine | LaFontaine Automotive Group U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation | Web Intro song | WEARETHEGOOOD | Spotify ***** Wisco Weekly ***** Founder and Host, Dennis Wisco, takes his Business Class listeners through the culture and society of automotive business. Subscribe and follow the money to know where you can #maketheinvestment. ✌(-‿-)✌
LaFontaine Automotive COO Ryan LaFontaine says a focus on used cars, F&I and fixed operations is helping the Michigan-based dealership group weather the COVID-19 storm and expand its retail footprint.
Todd McCallum is the Fixed Operations Director for the Walker Automotive Group in Alexandria, LA, and the former Fixed Operations Director for the LaFontaine Automotive Group in Detroit. Todd has been in the automotive industry for 30 years, and has worked in partnership with BG to build many successful maintenance programs. In this episode, Todd and I discuss the many challenges and opportunities facing service advisors and technicians, the importance of process on the service drive, finding a comfortable balance with maintenance sales, and the future of automotive service. This was a really interesting discussion, and it gave me a great perspective on how to implement effective, sustainable, and profitable practices within a dealership!
On this episode of “Next Up, Accessories” we’ll teach you how to ace your next car sale. School is back in session and we have Eric Gonzalez here to help you learn some new skills by explaining his approach to Vehicle Personalization. Eric Gonzalez is a Sales Outfitter at LaFontaine Subaru for LaFontaine Automotive Group in Commerce Township, Michigan. Eric is no stranger to accessories. In one year, he sold over $58,000 worth of accessories! And you’ll never believe how he got started.
LaFontaine Automotive Group’s growing off-site vehicle delivery service is attracting and wowing customers from the Great Lakes State to the Sunshine State through timely drop-offs, at-home safety demonstrations and a “no B.S.” experience.
Ryan LaFontaine’s path after graduation was always clear – he wanted to work for his family’s auto dealership group, which was established by his father, Michael Sr., and mother, Maureen, in 1984. By 2008, LaFontaine was named chief operating officer of the LaFontaine Automotive Group, which has since grown to encompass 39 franchises, 20 retail locations, a global vehicles division, a parts warehouse and five full-service collision centers, employing more than 1,300 individuals across Michigan. And he is a recognized industry leader, having served as president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and recently named chairman of the 2018 North American International Auto Show, the youngest chairman in the show’s 111-year history. LaFontaine is also proud to guide the next generation of automotive industry leaders through the LaFontaine Automotive Internship Program, a 12-week immersive experience at his dealerships. And while LaFontaine’s career has been meteoric, he suffered a setback in 2008 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. LaFontaine took that very difficult experience and turned it into something positive. He had heard about a 10-week nationwide fundraising challenge to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Even though he was fighting cancer and just had twin boys, LaFontaine and his sister, Kelley, decided to enter. “With family and friends at our side, we raised $228,000 for LLS, which was an all-time record,” he said. For his efforts, he was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year in 2010. This successful fundraising effort propelled LaFontaine and his sister to go even further and create the U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation. The organization, which is run solely by volunteers so 100 percent of profits are donated to the cause, provides vital funding and support for local cancer research grants. Connect with Ryan LaFontaine: Twitter: @LaFontaineAuto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.lafontaine.5 Website: https://www.familydeal.com/ Website: https://ucancervive.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lafontaine-automotive-group
SPECIAL GUEST: Ryan LaFontaine, Chief Operating Officer, LaFontaine Automotive GroupTOPICS:- Daimler Buying BILLIONS in Batteries- Ranger’s Remarkable MPGs- Aston’s 1,000-hp Engine: Sweet or Absurd?PANEL:- Mike Wayland, Automotive News- Gary Vasilash, Automotive Design and Production- John McElroy, Autoline.tv
Paul Sabatini Chairman of the North American International Auto Show NAIAS Sam Slaughter Vice-Chairman of the NAIAS amp Ryan LaFontaine General Manager of the LaFontaine Automotive Group are at the Geneva Motor show and they say this European show is very similar to the NAIAS in Detroit.