Car Dealership Guy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#67 Former NADA Chairman shaping the car business, When will Chinese cars come to US, Will FTC ruling cost consumers and industry $35B? | Geoff Pohanka, Chairman of Pohanka Automotive Group Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Geoff Pohanka, Dealer and Former NADA Chairman where we discuss his involvement in the fight against FTC overreach, the $35B potential cost of the CARS rule, buying a Tesla to experience Direct-to-consumer firsthand, when will Chinese cars come to America and much more.

This episode is brought to you by:

Auto Hauler Exchange - The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ AutoHaulerExchange.com

CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships.

Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com.

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:21) - Life after NADA

(00:03:07) - The Pohanka family business

(00:06:34) - Did you want to be a dealer?

(00:11:24) - What have you done to excel and grow your brand?

(00:14:23) - What does your role look like today?

(00:20:59) - The CARS Rule

(00:34:58) - What does Tesla do that is superior to the dealership model?

(00:38:46) - The EV future

(00:44:56) - Thoughts on China

(00:48:25) - What brands are you bullish on?

(00:53:22) - Will we have more or fewer dealers in 10 years?

Check out Pohanka Automotive Group here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#66 Becoming the world's most famous car salesman, Getting 60M+ monthly views on TikTok/IG, How much money he makes from content, His big announcement | RussFlipsWhips, Automotive Content Creator Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with RussFlipsWhips, the world's most famous car salesman, where we discuss his rise in car sales Tiktok, gaining 700,000 followers and 60 million monthly views, what it's like to juggle a full-time job in car sales and content creation, can anyone make a career out of social media, his big announcement with the Car Dealership Guy and much more...

This episode is brought to you by:

Private Auto - The safest way to buy vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/

AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com.

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:18) - Selling cars as an 18-year old

(00:13:27) - What were your aspirations?

(00:15:44) - How did you get into content creation?

(00:19:57) - Growth inflection points

(00:22:44) - Coming up with video ideas

(00:24:29) - Who’s your audience?

(00:25:21) - Does your content have a significant impact on your customers coming in?

(00:26:43) - What does your management think about all this?

(00:28:19) - Balancing selling cars and being a full-time influencer

(00:31:37) - How much do you make selling cars and the media side?

(00:33:29) - Can people replicate what you’ve been able to achieve?

(00:41:05) - Joining the CDG creator network

(00:46:02) - How do you see your brand evolving?

Check out ALL of Russ' content here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#65 How luxury dealerships make money, Selling a Lamborghini for Bitcoin, His net worth, Biggest wins and losses | CJ Wilson, Owner and GM of Porsche Fresno Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy podcast, I'm speaking with CJ Wilson, Owner and General Manager of Porsche Fresno where we discuss his career as an MLB All-Star pitcher, Racing Miatas with Jimmy John (yes, that Jimmy John), How he acquired his first dealership from the fallout of a divorce, Selling cars for Bitcoin in 2023, and his highs and lows in the luxury car dealership business.

This episode is brought to you by:

AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/

Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com.

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:52) - Bitcoin

(00:06:25 - CJ’s career from pro baseball to auto

(00:13:51) - Experiences running a dealership

(00:17:54) - Mistakes made along the way

(00:21:25) - Buying a McClaren store for $700k

(00:25:00) - Building a financial literacy skill

(00:28:15) - Key lessons learned running a dealership

(00:37:24) - Setting store goals

(00:39:07) - Billionaire aspirations

(00:46:42) - The real estate side of dealerships

(00:51:00) - Sales revenues, scale, and leadership philosophies

(01:01:53) - Wealth

(01:03:51) - Hottest and coldest cars in the luxury market right now

(01:08:41) - What are your thoughts on the economy?

(01:15:51) - 5-year prediction for the luxury market

Check out Porsche Fresno here

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#64 Selling $200M/yr of used cars, Losing money on every car but still profiting, Can he succeed where other dealerships have failed? | Eli Hanna, Dealer Principal of Hanna Cars Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Eli Hanna, Dealer Principal of Hanna Cars where we discuss: Selling his first car behind a service shop, expanding his independent car dealership business into the Florida used car market, whether he can succeed in the same location where another dealership failed and much more.

This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com.

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:45) - Eli’s career and background

(00:05:51) - Launching a dealership

(00:07:24)- Sales numbers today

(00:09:23) - Scaling to 600 units

(00:11:29) - Eli’s business model

(00:13:24) - Who is your target market?

(00:16:12) - Financing the company

(00:16:52) - What’s your outlook for 2024?

(00:17:43) - How did you get lenders early on and how are you experiencing lending today?

(00:20:02) - Where do you wholesale inventory?

(00:21:38) - How are you marketing?

(00:22:04) - Expanding into Florida

(00:24:02) - Projected revenue

(00:25:43) - Have you considered Franchising?

(00:26:16) - What are your biggest challenges right now?

(00:27:27) - Plans for the future

(00:27:58) - How did you come across CDG?

(00:39:39) - What’s your outlook for the independent dealer?

Check out Hanna Cars here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#63 Crushing 70M+ vehicle recalls, From infantry officer to chief executive officer, Technology fatigue in the car business | Ryan Maher, CEO of BizzyCar Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Ryan Maher, CEO of BizzyCar where we discuss: the looming public safety threat of 70 million vehicles affected by automotive recalls, how the tough months in the dealership business during covid inspired the creation of his company, his journey from infantry officer to chief executive officer and much more.

This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:

Private Auto - The safest way to buy vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/

CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships.

Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform

BizzyCar - BizzyCar Delivers Service Revenue by Automating Recals. Learn more @ https://www.bizzycar.com/

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com.

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Links:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:05:34) - Growing up in the dealer business

(00:08:18) - Ryan’s military career

(00:14:35) - Transitioning back to civilian life and launching BizzyCar

(00:17:43) - Are recalls rising overall?

(00:25:42) - Recalls 101

(00:30:46) - How are dealers using your platform handling recalls today?

(00:44:42) - How do you think about your impact on the industry?

(00:52:40) - What has the entrepreneurial journey been like for BizzyCar?

Check out BizzyCar here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#62 Leadership masterclass from world's #1 Honda Dealer, Pushing $1 Billion in sales, the birth of the 24-hr service center | Brian Benstock, Partner & General Manager/VP of Paragon Honda Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Brian Benstock, Partner and General Manager of Paragon Honda & Acura where we discuss: his rise in the New York automotive industry and becoming the #1 Honda dealership in the world, the wild success of his 24-hour service center, how leasing could be the salvation to the affordability problem, his strategy to mentor and develop his employees in the dealership business, what it takes to keep up with Brian Benstock and much more.

This episode is brought to you by:

Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/

AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:12) - Paragon’s delivery and pick-up strategy

(00:05:11) - Brian’s early career and family life

(00:15:30) - Brian’s leadership style

(00:21:24) - Who has had a significant impact on your career?

(00:23:15) - What does a typical day look like for you?

(00:25:06) - Who are the 6-8 people you surround yourself with?

(00:29:31) - Do you think the opportunity to become a partner at a dealership still exists today?

(00:32:10) - What is it like operating in your showroom and hitting these sales numbers?

(00:37:43) - Online vs. in-person trends

(00:40:34) - What have you done on the tech side to meet the consumer's needs?

(00:48:06) - How have your efforts impacted profitability?

(00:52:03) - How do you set your store goals?

(00:55:09) - How do you view yourself as a dealer?

(00:56:48) - How do you acquire inventory?

(01:01:51) - What are your thoughts on the market?

(01:04:58) - What are you seeing in consumer health?

(01:07:10) - Is affordability the biggest issue right now?

(01:09:55) - Solving incentive problems

(01:11:25) - Thoughts on AI

(01:13:39) - What keeps you up at night?

(01:15:45) - Taking advantage of social media and being authentic

Check out Paragon here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#61 Accounting mistakes costing dealers thousands, $800k stolen by a dealership controller, EV mandates clashing with consumer demand | Frank O'Brien, Partner at Withum Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Frank O'Brien, a partner at Withum. We discuss financial fraud in the dealership business, how dealerships can attract and retain technician talent, untapped warranty reimbursements from auto manufacturers, the clashing reality of EV mandates and consumer demand + much more.

This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:

Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/

CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships.

Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform

Withum - Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to Be in a Position of Strength in today’s complex business environment. Learn more @ https://www.withum.com/

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:44) - Frank’s career in automotive fraud

(00:03:16) - What’s your outlook on the market today?

(00:13:00) - Technician shortages

(00:17:30) - What is your specialty in this industry?

(00:19:27) - What’s the dollar exposure for dealers in these reimbursements?

(00:23:24) - Are there other opportunities like this for dealerships?

(00:25:35) - Where do you see trends for dealership profitability going from here?

(00:32:46) - Do you see any threats to the industry on the horizon?

(00:34:17) - What’s your outlook for 2024?

Check out Withum here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#60 Building the future of automotive retailing AI, Pivoting from fashion to cars, Acquiring a tech company in Eastern Europe | Devin Daly, CEO of Impel Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Devin Daly, CEO of Impel

This episode is brought to you by:

Private Auto - The safest way to buy vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/

Valvoline - Go beyond the traditional supplier-dealer partnership today by visiting https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:23) - Devin’s career and Building Impel

(00:03:55) - Pivoting to auto

(00:06:28) - Did you come from an entrepreneurial family?

(00:07:15) - The evolution of the company

(00:09:21) - How are dealers using this data?

(00:11:36) - What are you building to help dealerships keep evolving?

(00:13:13) - Thoughts on AI

(00:21:48) - Where are you seeing the biggest impact from AI implementation?

(00:23:18) - Raising $130m and acquiring a business in the Republic of Georgia

(00:26:59) - Where are we headed with AI and the dealership?

(00:28:12) - Where are you seeing customers the most frustrated with the dealership experience?

(00:29:15) - What role does licensing play in all of this work?

(00:30:52) - Partnering with ACV Auctions

(00:33:35) - What do the next 5 years look like for our industry?

(00:34:46) - What is your most popular product?

(00:35:59) - Having a high bar for acquisitions

(00:37:20) - “Oh sh*t” moments

(00:38:22) - What products are most important to manufacturers right now

Check out Impel here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#59 Becoming a #1 Volvo Dealership, $300M in revenue from "throwaway" brands, The "Great EV Recession" | Matthew Haiken, President of Prestige Collection Auto Group Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Matthew Haiken, President of Prestige Collection Auto Group

This episode is brought to you by:

Stream Companies - Full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled ad agency doing the ordinary extraordinarily well. Learn more @ https://www.streamcompanies.com/

CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships.

Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:13) - Matt’s background and career

(00:09:45) - NADA Dealer Candidate Academy

(00:11:13) - Matt’s operating philosophy

(00:12:52) - Moving away from selling Kia’s

(00:15:20) - What’s changed the most in your business over the past decade to successfully operate multiple locations?

(00:17:10) - What are you seeing in terms of consumer demand?

(00:18:25) - How have your margins changed over the past year?

(00:20:04) - Why did you become a Polestar dealer?

(00:22:42) - How do you define the agency model?

(00:27:03) - How are you making money here?

(00:33:00) - Are you considering adding a service arm or selling used?

(00:33:51) - Why are you bullish on Polestar?

(00:35:07) - Does the agency model have a future in the US?

(00:39:08) - Where do you think the market conditions will be as we go into 2024?

(00:41:42) - What steps are you taking to insulate yourself?

(00:44:13) - What’s next for you in terms of acquisitions?

(00:44:49) - Will your kids get into auto?

Check out Prestige Collection Auto Group here.

Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership)

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

#58 Leadership lessons from working for Elon, Raising millions to reimagine the dealership, why he has no exit plan | Jay Vijayan, CEO of Tekion Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Jay Vijayan, CEO of Tekion

This episode is brought to you by:

Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com.

Valvoline - Go beyond the traditional supplier-dealer partnership today by visiting https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:34) - Jay’s time at Tesla and career in tech

(00:07:51) - Coming up with the idea for Tekion

(00:11:26) - What did you learn from Elon?

(00:13:45) - Tekion’s first deal

(00:25:29) - What were the most shocking things you learned about dealership accounting systems?

(00:33:27) - Putting a DMS into the cloud

(00:36:43) - Are you building tech around current processes or are you looking ahead?