Car Dealership Guy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#57 Evolving the dealership service department, Adapting to a possible EV future, Getting acquired by a $7T company | Chad Brooks, Head of Dealer Development at Valvoline Global Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Chad Brooks, Head of Dealer Development at Valvoline Global

This episode is brought to you by:

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

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

Valvoline Global - 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

(00:02:01) - Experiences at NADA

(00:04:05) - Valvoline getting into F1

(00:05:40) - Chad’s career

(00:07:50) - How is Valvoline reinventing itself in the age of EVs?

(00:10:56) - Valvoline’s entry into the tech business

(00:15:12) - What are the biggest opportunities for service providers?

(00:17:34) - How does Valvoline perceive EVs and what are you seeing dealerships do with regards to EVs?

(00:22:26) - Valvoline’s future after being acquired

Check out Valvoline here - https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/

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.

#56 Building a $2B car auction app, "Gambling for car dealers", Artificial intelligence vs. actual intelligence | Joe Neiman, Co-Founder of ACV Auctions Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Joe Neiman, Co-Founder of ACV Auctions

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.

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

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

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

(00:03:06) - Joe’s early career in auto

(00:09:21) - Building ACV Auctions

(00:17:16) - Have we lost the thrill of the in-person auction?

(00:20:41) - What are the major issues with online auctions?

(00:23:02) - How do we evolve the online car auction?

(00:25:07) - Will you launch an auction platform?

(00:26:40) - Having the entrepreneurial mindset

(00:34:01) - Why did you leave ACV?

(00:38:31) - What’s happening in the wholesale market right now?

(00:48:16) - Thoughts on the current market

(00:51:04) - Parting advice

Check out Dealer Club

Get in touch with Joe: Joe@dealerclub.com

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.

#55 Double-digit increases in dealership auto theft, Adapting to the future of cars, Losing $10,000 a year in keys | Steve Baucom, President of KEYper Systems Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Steve Baucom, President of KEYper Systems

This episode is brought to you by:

Private Auto - The safest way to buy and sell 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

(00:02:40) - Steve’s journey into auto

(00:04:37) - Realizing the major key problem in the industry

(00:06:25) - Financing the business

(00:07:12) - Did you have a gut feeling of ‘this is going to work’?

(00:08:35) - How were you able to build this 35 years ago?

(00:11:28) - Is there still opportunity for niche hardware businesses in the car industry?

(00:13:24) - How do you innovate against the possibility that keys will go away?

(00:15:33) - What is the practical next step for keys?

(00:17:20) - How do you maintain a culture of innovation?

(00:19:38) - What does your product look like today?

(00:21:48) - Selling the company

(00:25:52) - Is there competition in this space?

(00:29:04) - What theft trends do you see at dealerships?

(00:32:39) - Crazy stories

Check out Keyper here.

Get in touch by emailing sales@keypersystems.com

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.

#54 Leadership secrets of the world's #1 Toyota Dealer, Selling 25,000 cars a year, Lease returns crashing in 2024? | Doug Eroh, President and GM of Longo Toyota Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Doug Eroh, President and GM of Longo Toyota

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.

Fullpath - Discover Automotive's Leading Customer Data and Experience Platform. Learn more @ https://fullpath.com/

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

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

(00:03:06) - Doug’s exposure to auto

(00:04:39) - Is LA the largest Toyota market in the world?

(00:05:29) - Making the jump from corporate to the retail side of auto

(00:07:09) - Officing in the dealership showroom & experiences as the GM of Longo Toyota

(00:12:37) - Longo’s scale

(00:14:00) - The difference between Doug’s roles at Longo and Penske

(00:14:58) - Longo’s structure, amenities, and talent recruitment

(00:23:48) - Longo’s tech stack & AI implementations

(00:32:13) - What metrics are you tracking daily?

(00:37:32) - Thoughts on affordability & leasing

(00:42:41) - Is Toyota hurting itself for being undersupplied & staying away from EVs?

(00:51:02) - Do you have any concerns right now?

(00:54:34) - Where are the opportunities right now?

(00:57:36) - How are you attracting talent?

Check out Longo Toyota here or get in touch.

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.

#53 Solving the aging used car bubble, Saving dealers $48M with accurate appraisals, From porter to General Manager in 6 years | Brian Kramer, EVP of Cars Commerce Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Brian Kramer, EVP of Cars Commerce

This episode is brought to you by:

Valvoline - Valvoline can help drive your service department by streamlining operations and increasing revenue with hands-on technician and sales advisor training, state-of-the-art service lane technology, and a robust preventive maintenance chemical program. They even have programs to help you sell more cars and increase trade-ins! Learn more @ https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/dealership

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

Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:47) - Brian’s career in auto: Lot Porter to GM

(00:10:00) - Launching the VR Car buying experience

(00:14:46) - Making the jump to evangelize Accu-Trade

(00:19:05) - How is this tool different from legacy options?

(00:22:13) - What are the biggest changes we will see in used cars over the next year?

(00:27:41) - Is the trade-in process broken?

(00:33:45) - Consumer’s ability to appraise a vehicle

(00:37:23) - Does it matter where a car comes from when appraising?

(00:40:19) - What’s your hope for the evolution of the used car business?

Check out Cars Commerce here.

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn and check out his YouTube channel.

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.

#52 Building a $6B car sales software empire, Electric vehicle revolution's slow start, China's strategy entering US car market | Brian MacDonald, CEO of CDK Global Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Brian MacDonald, CEO of CDK Global

This episode is brought to you by:

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 CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:52) - Brian’s career in the industry

(00:02:23) - Experiences at CDK and transitioning to Sunoco

(00:09:26) - Evs & the future of the dealership

(00:13:32) - What services and technology are you offering dealerships?

(00:16:40) - How are you staying ahead of dealership needs?

(00:18:03) - What are your top focuses today?

(00:20:48) - How are you approaching integrating all dealership products into one solution?

(00:22:42) - What are you looking for when considering an acquisition?

(00:25:51) - Thoughts on AI

(00:29:46) - At what point does a dealership typically adopt software like CDK?

(00:32:41) - Are you seeing SaaS fatigue in dealerships?

(00:35:30) - Will we see some international OEM players enter the US market over the next decade?

(00:38:51) - Plans for the NADA conference

(00:40:09) - How can people get in touch?

Check out CDK Global 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.

#51 Secret weapon to dealership efficiency, Providing payment transparency to car shoppers, Solving dealership chokepoints, Lessons from building and selling a video game | David Domm, Co-Founder and CEO at Carmatic Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with David Domm, CEO at Carmatic.

This episode is brought to you by:

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

Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:38) - David’s early career in gaming

(00:08:53) - How did you become the CPO at Cars.com?

(00:11:01) - What insights led you to found Carmatic?

(00:15:13) - What is the current buying experience and how are you changing that?

(00:28:16) - Does this risk anyone’s job at a traditional dealership?

(00:30:30) - How are you able to provide the correct payment to the customer if you are not the bank?

(00:34:52) - Would Carmatic make digital retailing tools obsolete?

(00:42:33) - Carmatic’s early results

(00:45:07) - What is the result of mass adoption of this product?

Check out Carmatic here.

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

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

#50 Rise of Lease Here Pay Here dealerships, Innovating payment affordability, Subprime consumer health check | Tim Lawrence, CEO of LHPH Capital Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Tim Lawrence, CEO of LHPH Capital

This episode is brought to you by:

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

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

AutoFi - AutoFi's powerful platform helps dealers sell smarter, not harder—online and in the showroom.

Learn more atautofi.com/cdg

Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:24) - Tim’s previous life as a marriage and family counselor

(00:07:11) - What is Lease Here Pay Here?

(00:08:56) - How is this different from Buy Here Pay Here?

(00:11:01) - How does this model impact dealers and consumers?

(00:12:51) - How do you and the dealer make money?

(00:15:32) - What are you seeing from consumers right now?

(00:16:56) - Thoughts on EVs

(00:19:13) - How do you break into a new market?

(00:21:02) - Who else is doing this model?

(00:21:53) - What’s the IRR for a dealer on one of these loans?

(00:23:07) - Who’s accountable for service in this model?

(00:24:13) - Are we headed to a world where most people will not own their vehicles?

(00:29:01) - How are you being impacted by interest rates?

(00:31:31) - Will used car leasing ever go mainstream?

Check out LHPH 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.

#49 How A.I. is changing car buying forever, Who's job is up for grabs, Predicting car shopper behavior, Buying a car in 2024 vs 2030 | Aharon Horwitz, CEO of Fullpath Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Aharon Horwitz, CEO of Fullpath.

This episode is brought to you by:

Autofi - AutoFi's powerful platform helps dealers sell smarter, not harder—online and in the showroom.

Learn more at autofi.com/cdg

Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:51) - Fullpath & customer data experience Platforms

(00:04:47) - What happened that spawned the opportunity for Fullpath?

(00:15:03) - How are you leveraging AI for the auto industry?

(00:20:29) - Where will AI have the biggest impact in the industry?

(00:25:13) - What’s the industry’s appetite for AI?

(00:36:53) - What does the car buying experience look like in 5 years?

(00:39:29) - How can smaller dealerships survive the AI wave?

Check out Fullpath here

Follow Aharon on X

Read Play Bigger by Al Ramadan

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.

#48 Buy Here Pay Here secrets revealed, Managing 40% loan default rates, Financing customers that banks avoid, Crazy customer horror stories | Tiger Okeley, President at Oak Motors Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Tiger Okeley, President at Oak Motors.

This episode is brought to you by:

AutoFi's powerful platform helps dealers sell smarter, not harder—online and in the showroom.

Learn more at autofi.com/cdg

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 CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:26) - What is a buy here pay here dealership?