Car Dealership Guy Podcast

Authentic and insightful conversations with auto industry leaders, innovators and investors. Hosted by @GuyDealership.

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Auto Tariffs Are Coming– Now What?

My emergency panel on tariffs with 8 top dealers and insiders:

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Behind the Curtain: Winning Strategies from 29 Dealerships (and the Mistakes to Avoid)

My conversation with Johnny Cantrell, Executive Vice President at Shottenkirk Automotive Group:

0:30 What shaped Johnny's auto career?
1:19 Best leadership advice for dealers?
4:06 Managing multiple stores effectively?
7:19 Current market challenges/solutions?
10:13 Building strong executive teams?
26:42 Why consistency drives success?
28:19 Top performing brands today?
35:21 How AI improves inventory?
47:18 Used car market outlook?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Cracking the Code on Scaling Car Shopper Experiences in Texas' Oldest Dealership | Industry Spotlight

Stream the full episode now, hosted by @samdarc:

1:44 What drove Covert Auto's record success?
3:04 Biggest digital lead challenges
3:56 Why do phone calls frustrate dealers?
7:59 How does AI improve call management?
14:03 Overcoming AI implementation hurdles
24:33 How to measure AI's impact on dealerships
26:54 Mia AI demo - how convincing is it?
31:51 Future AI applications in auto?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

You Can’t Be a Leadership Fraud: How Shane Wood Built Dealership-Wide Trust

My conversation with Shane Wood, GM at Bruce Titus Automotive Group:

0:34 How has content creation evolved?
1:43 Why consistency beats virality?
4:28 What shaped Shane's career?
8:14 Biggest auto industry challenges
13:39 How to optimize service departments?
21:17 Why truth wins in sales?
24:25 Best sales training techniques
34:06 Will Ford's EV strategy work?
35:05 Solving the car affordability crisis

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The Human Advantage in Car Sales—And Why Ted Rubin Won’t Let It Die

My conversation with Ted Rubin, CEO of @activengageofficial:

1:22 How did Ted start in auto?
2:20 What sparked BDC development?
9:36 Why human interaction matters?
12:14 How AI impacts auto sales?
16:28 Best dealership tools today?
19:23 Handling customer concerns effectively
20:24 How dealers view pricing?
24:56 AI's current limitations?
37:02 Future of AI in dealerships?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The Truth About Culture, Cash Flow & Customers—From a Dealer in the Trenches

My conversation with Anthony Marino, President of Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram - @marino_jeep:

1:50 How did the family business start?
6:06 Biggest challenges transitioning in?
11:26 Secrets to winning Dealer awards?
17:24 Best advertising/inventory management combo
27:57 Most surprising profit margin insights?
28:37 Top inventory management strategies
31:15 How to optimize financing costs?
34:12 Best ways to reinvest profits?
49:49 Biggest future challenges anticipated?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The Hunt For Auto Tech's Next Unicorn: Why Silicon Valley Is Betting On Toma—And What It Means For Dealers

My conversation with @monikkinom, CEO of @TomaAuto:

0:33 Why switch from healthcare to auto?
2:29 Biggest auto retail challenges today?
4:31 Why focus on automotive AI?
5:49 How AI improves customer experience?
7:54 Customizing AI for dealerships how?
11:20 Will customers accept AI solutions?
13:36 How secured $17.2M funding?
16:46 Plans for deploying capital?
26:55 Future AI-driven dealership experience?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The Secret To Scaling: Taking A Single Point To Regional Powerhouse

My conversation with Ben Faricy, President at @TheFaricyBoys:

1:08 What shaped Ben's business journey?
3:14 Best customer retention strategies?
7:49 Why invest in employees matters
12:50 Keys to leadership growth
18:49 Biggest challenges ahead?
22:15 How measure customer satisfaction?
25:30 Balancing growth vs culture
29:45 Most valuable core value?
31:20 Industry trends to watch?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Dealers Are Saving Thousands in Labor: How They Solved the #1 Bottleneck in Fixed Ops

My conversation with Graham Anderson, CCO & Co-Founder of @gokenect:

1:29 How is AI transforming dealerships?
4:24 What shaped your company's journey?
6:52 Why reputation management matters?
10:44 Benefits of automated scheduling
18:42 Biggest tech integration challenges?
21:58 The future AI applications in auto
23:30 Text vs voice for customers
26:27 How to optimize service departments?
32:28 Industry outlook for next year?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Beyond the Buzzwords: The Top Tech Dealers Are Leaning Into

My conversation with Barb Edson, CMO of @CDKGlobal:

0:38 Biggest industry challenges today?
2:26 Newest solutions for dealerships?
2:53 How does WSIC improve inventory?
6:39 Best payment solutions today?
9:04 Key executive insights
10:01 How to beat competition?
16:45 CDK's future vision?
22:11 Final key takeaways

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Why Dealers Aren’t Flinching—What’s Driving the Buy-Sell Frenzy

My conversation with Alan Haig, President of @HaigPartners:

0:18 Current auto market outlook?
2:07 Dealership market health today?
3:19 How tariffs impact dealerships?
10:10 Recent profit trends concerning?
15:55 Best investment opportunities now?
23:21 Lender views on goodwill deals
24:51 Why is California unique?
31:35 How to fixi underperforming stores?
42:37 Market predictions for dealers?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

How Subaru Quietly Took Over the Northeast—And Lessons for Dealers from Its Billionaire Distributor

My conversation with Ernie Boch Jr., CEO of @SubaruOfNewEng:

0:16 How did family legacy shape you?
1:37 Key moments in business evolution
5:59 Biggest auto industry challenges today?
7:45 What makes NE distribution unique?
19:43 How creativity impacts advertising strategies?
22:00 How to maintain OEM relationships?
24:10 Key lessons from Japan trips
30:32 Most promising auto tech innovations
32:07 Future of dealerships - predictions

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The Hidden Variables Driving Used Car Pricing—and How to Exploit Them

My conversation with Derek Hansen, VP of Operations at @CoxAutomotive:

0:15 Biggest inventory challenges today?
0:34 What shaped your career path?
1:08 How is AI changing auto?
3:38 Current market trends to watch?
7:11 Best dealer strategies now?
9:37 How to improve appraisals?
15:45 Global car sourcing tips?
21:39 How predictive analytics helps sales?
33:09 Future car inventory predictions?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Inside Jack Hollis’ Shocking Toyota Exit: Why He Left—and What’s Next

My conversation with Jack Hollis, Former COO of Toyota Motor North America:

0:50 How did Jack's early life shape him?
5:43 What defined Jack's Toyota career beginnings?
12:28 How will dealerships evolve in future?
19:26 What personal values drive Jack's leadership?
25:55 Key lessons from 33-year career
27:51 How Toyota achieved record profits?
29:33 How regulations impact car buyers?
36:34 What core values build success?
49:30 What's next for Jack Hollis?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

From Tesla Exec To The Auction Block: How One Startup Is Turning A Dealer Pain Point Into A Profit Center

My conversation with @jimmydouglas, CEO of @plugautomotive:

0:15 Why are EV trade-ins important?
3:09 How did you transition to Tesla?
4:45 Key lessons from Elon Musk?
8:33 Biggest secondary EV market challenges?
10:32 How charging networks impact value?
22:39 How does Trade Desk work?
26:53 What EV trends excite dealers?
32:11 Where is EV charging headed?
42:59 Hardest part of founding company?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The Road To 900 Cars Per Month: How One Dealer Is Pushing His Team To Sales Excellence

My conversation with Brad Wise, Executive Manager at Ferman Chevrolet Mazda:

0:19 How to build business resilience?
1:05 What defines Ferman's leadership legacy?
03:31 How to build winning teams?
06:18 Why prioritize ethics and compliance?
16:28 Keys to operational excellence?
24:49 Best incremental growth strategies?
26:54 Why obsess over research?
32:51 Innovations in used car sales?
36:59 How to measure progress/happiness?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

The New Playbook For Vehicle Titling: How One State is Leading the Charge | Industry Spotlight

Stream the full episode now, hosted by @samdarc:

0:37 Kimberly's path from teacher to Hudson Auto controller
1:10 Why people get hooked on the car business
1:56 Controllers: vital, underappreciated role in dealerships
2:46 Hudson’s perks: Disney trips and family summits
3:34 Titling chaos keeps controllers up at night
4:30 Why titling is still stuck in the past
5:05 Champ Titles: a digital fix for paper titles
8:47 How digital titles save time, money, and stress
19:16 The road to true digital titles by 2030
29:43 Final thoughts on innovation, efficiency, and next steps

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Why a 2x Auction Founder Is Flipping the Wholesale Script—And Paying Dealers When They Sell Cars

My conversation with Joe Neiman, President of DealerClub:

1:00 What inspired launching DealerClub?
3:22 How did you revolutionize wholesale auctions?
6:07 Why is trust crucial in auctions?
14:06 How to compete with CarMax/Carvana?
17:02 What fueled Dealer Club's rapid growth?
22:55 What's DealerClub's revenue model?
24:32 Why did you sell the business?
34:04 What market trends impact dealers most?
36:02 How do reconditioning centers boost efficiency?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

4x'ing Used Car Sales: This Franchise Dealers Ultimate Pre-Owned Playbook

My conversation with JR Toothman, Dealer Principal at @Toothman_Ford :

0:54 – How can dealerships embrace technology and data?
1:54 – How have dealerships evolved over time?
5:16 – What is your personal background and career journey?
8:09 – How does your family impact the business?
10:59 – What marketing strategies do you use, and how is your store set up?
19:49 – Why focus on the used car market?
22:09 – What are your strategies for buying cars?
26:29 – How do you optimize inventory and acquire vehicles?
39:23 – What do you see in the future of the used car market?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

Why Most Dealers Fail at Lead Follow-Up—And How Tech Closes the Gap | Industry Spotlight

Stream the full episode now, hosted by @samdarc :

0:30 Biggest challenges with internet leads?
1:09 How does AI impact engagement?
7:24 What is generative AI?
10:06 How to implement AI dealerships?
21:19 AI's financial impact on dealers?
23:38 Why is data crucial for AI?
26:01 Why clean customer data matters?
27:21 How AI personalizes customer interactions?
35:41 AI's operational impact on dealers?

[Car Dealership Guy Podcast @CDG_Podcast]

"GMs Don’t Get Finance": How This Operator Uses F&I to Outrun the Market

My conversation with Chase Channell, General Manager of @VictoryJackson:

2:10 What's Chase's early career background?
2:50 Why transition to car sales?
5:00 First car sales experiences like?
12:36 Why is F&I knowledge important?
20:23 How to build customer relationships?
24:58 What defines Victory's company culture?
26:39 How to empower service concierges?
31:49 How to optimize used car sales?
47:53 Why invest in young talent?