Car Dealership Guy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#38 DealerRater’s unstoppable rise, Dealership incentives, Car buyer concerns, Secrets to Carvana | Jamie Oldershaw, VP of Reputation Strategy at Cars Commerce and GM of DealerRater Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Jamie Oldershaw, VP of Reputation Strategy at Cars Commerce.

This episode is brought to you by:

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

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

(00:03:02) - Jamie’s experience at DealerRater

(00:13:12) - The DealerRater Product

(00:17:41) - The decision-making process of the consumer

(00:24:33) - How DealerRater makes money

(00:26:26) - Fraud prevention

(00:30:27) - Thoughts on anonymous reviews

(00:32:41) - Jamie’s take on Yelp

(00:35:24) - Thoughts on the state of the car market

(00:37:21) - Adapting the dealership model

(00:39:04) - Automating the consumer experience

(00:42:27) - Patterns in Brand reviews

(00:44;15) - The best way for consumers to purchase and the best way for dealers to leverage platforms like DealerRater

(00:48:45) - The future for DealerRater

(00:50:36) - Where to contact Jamie

Check out Cars Commerce here.

Get in touch with Alex by emailing him at Jamie@CarsCommerce.inc

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.

#37 Making millions from subprime loans, From the streets to $150K/month, Raising capital at Church, Acquiring stakes in dealerships | Bruce Miller, Owner at Miller Motors Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Bruce Miller, Owner of Miller Motors.

This episode is brought to you by:

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

Podium - The lead conversion platform for car dealerships. Get 10% of your plan by texting “CarDealershipGuy” to (833) 441-1166 or visit https://bit.ly/48UKr4x

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

(00:02:51) - Bruce’s journey into automotive

(00:06:17) Bruce’s business today

(00:09:57) - Bruce’s mentality in approaching business

(00:12:41) - Opening up a dealership

(00:27:41) - How Bruce runs his dealership

(00:35:44) - Profits

(00:36:56) - Marketing and tracking customers

(00:39:21) - It takes 100 customers to sell 21 cars

(00:41:29) - The main misconceptions about independent dealers

(00:43:16) - The future of the independent dealer

(00:46:42) - Learning about equity

(00:50:44) - Final thoughts

(00:53:06) - How to get in touch with Bruce

Check out Miller Motors here.

Get in touch with Bruce by calling him at (504) 615-9297

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.

#36 Car market predictions, Alex's acquisition playbook, Solving software fatigue, Will online car sales go away? | Alex Vetter, CEO of Cars Commerce (Part 2) Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Alex Vetter, CEO of Cars Commerce.

This episode is brought to you by:

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

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

(00:03:04) - Ringing the bell at the NYSE

(00:04:38) - Launching Cars Commerce & SaaS fatigue

(00:08:30) - Alex’s approach to acquisitions

(00:11:19) - Current gaps in the customer journey

(00:14:57) - Focusing on commerce and thoughts on the economy

(00:18:27) - The evolution of retail

(00:25:17) - Instant financing

(00:26:00) - How onsite behavior has changed

(00:27:21) - The upside for Cars.com

(00:31:39) - D2D trading

(00:34:14) - The loss of the budget car

(00:36:12) - Trends in the industry

(00:40:00) - Final thoughts

Check out Cars Commerce here.

Get in touch with Alex by emailing him at Alex@cars.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.

#35 Raising $300M+ for automotive venture capital, Rise and fall of Vroom, Hottest auto tech investments, His biggest wins and losses, AVs, EVs and A.I. | Chase Fraser, Founder and Managing Partner, FM Capital Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Chase Fraser, Founder & Managing Partner at FM Capital.

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/

Podium - The lead conversion platform for car dealerships. Get 10% of your plan by texting “CarDealershipGuy” to (833) 441-1166 or visit https://bit.ly/48UKr4x

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

(00:02:49) - Vroom-Carvana Saga

(00:05:26) - Chase’s background and specializing in automotive

(00:08:34) - Sourcing deals & areas of focus

(00:11:00) - How dealers should think about autonomous cars

(00:14:28) - The auto agency model

(00:16:16) - Tightening parameters in VC for Autotech

(00:19:51) - The state of AI in auto and how it will impact dealerships

(00:28:07) - Thoughts on EVs

(00:38:17) - Dealers acting as investors with Chase

(00:42:21) - Regional dealership consolidations

(00:44:18) - Economic concerns

(00:48:36) - Advice to dealers

(00:50:55) - Chase’s biggest VC wins and humbling moments

(00:55:00) - Get in touch with Chase

Check out FM Capital 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.

#34 Secrets to successful dealership acquisitions, Tools for wealth creation, Industry trends he’s bullish on, Profiting $10M on Tesla stock | Daniel Crainic, Owner of Time Auto Group Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Daniel Crainic, CEO of Time Auto Group

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

Podium - The lead conversion platform for car dealerships.

Get 10% off your plan by texting “CarDealershipGuy” to (833) 441-1166 or visit www.podium.com/automotive

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

(00:02:43) - Daniel’s journey into the industry

(00:07:55) - Growing from 1 to 7 lots

(00:09:51) - Acquiring real estate

(00:13:35) - Marketing tricks

(00:15:04) - Financing through Tesla stock

(00:19:00) - Balancing family and work

(00:20:16) - Delegation

(00:21:23) - Dan’s first acquisition & moving into the franchise model

(00:29:32) - The turnaround playbook

(00:31:01) - Mentors

(00:34:37) - Incentivizing General Managers

(00:36:41) - Creating wealth in this business

(00:44:20) - Biggest challenges

(00:47:08) - Rebates, acquiring inventory, and technology

(00:54:39) - What are you bullish on in the industry

(00:58:49) - How to get in touch

Check out Time Auto Group here

Follow Daniel on X

Email Dan at Daniel@TimeAuto.com

Check out the website for me and follow me on X @GuyDealership!

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

#33 Launching a dealership with $40K, Profits and losses, Selling Teslas in the Midwest, Highs and lows of running a small dealership | Brandon Miller, Founder of Miller Auto Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Brandon Miller, Founder of Miller Auto.

This episode is brought to you by:

Podium - The lead conversion platform for car dealerships.

Get 10% off your plan by texting “CarDealershipGuy” to (833) 441-1166 or visit www.podium.com/automotive

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

(00:03:06) - Brandon’s previous life as the mayor of a small town

(00:05:42) - Starting a dealership

(00:11:40) - Funding inventory and knowing what to buy

(00:15:40) - Brandon’s role at the dealership

(00:16:38) - The profitability of the dealership

(00:17:05) - Financing inventory

(00:19:04) - Auction Strategies

(00:20:03) - Building a vertically integrated company

(00:22:19) - Building a Tesla modification arm of the business

(00:28:25) - Monthly sales numbers

(00:29:05) - Marketing strategies

(00:30:08) - Profits & team structure

(00:35:06) - Warranties

(00:35:56) - The Tesla market in Wisconsin

(00:41:20) - The impact of interest rates on dealerships

(00:43:08) - Consumer lending

(00:45:21) - How to get in touch with Brandon

Check out Miller Auto here.

Follow Miller Auto on X & Facebook

Check out the website for me and follow me on X @GuyDealership!

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

#32 Will the dealership survive, Where she's investing big, Tech's biggest challenges in the dealership, Vulnerable leadership | Barb Edson, Chief Marketing Officer, CDK Global Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Barb Edson, Chief Marketing Officer at CDK Global.

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

(00:01:57) - Barb’s career background

(00:03:47) - What is the Internet of Things?

(00:04:45) - The auto industry is ripe for disruption

(00:06:23) - Why the dealership is NOT going away

(00:10:46) - The biggest challenges and inefficiencies in the industry

(00:14:40) - What areas were you behind the 8-ball most?

(00:16:20) - The CDK dealership experience

(00:20:25) - The continued digital transformation of the industry

(00:23:36) - Future-proofing tech

(00:26:33) - Barb’s process for improving the product

(00:29:51) - What changes in automotive retail over the next 5 years?

(00:32:56) - Will dealers be challenged in adopting this technology?

(00:34:35) - Where people can reach Barb and CDK

You can learn more about CDK Global here or follow them on X @CDKGlobal.

Check out the website for me and follow me on X @GuyDealership!

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

#31 Used car auction frenzy, Stumbling upon million-dollar classics, UAW & bankruptcy risk for car companies | John Clay Wolfe, Founder & President @ GiveMeTheVin Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with John Clay Wolfe, Founder of GivemetheVIN.com.

You can check out the full story of John's historic barn find and see the cars they got ahold of here.

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

(00:01:33) - John’s early career in media and auto

(00:07:17) - How John's radio career impacted his wholesaling business

(00:08:52) - Starting GivemetheVIN.com

(00:11:05) - Where John sources cars

(00:13:26) - Acquiring a barn full of classic vehicles

(00:25:57) - John’s take on the UAW strikes

(00:35:01) - What car John would recommend buying right now

(00:36:04) - John's focus for the next 3-6 months

(00:38:55) - Thoughts on the future of vehicle wholesaling

(00:41:34) - Why Carmax is the best

(00:43:13) - How to reach John

(00:44:58) - Closing thoughts

You can check out John's radio show here and GivemetheVIN here.

Check out the website for me and follow me on X @GuyDealership!

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

#30 Why auto loan fraud is rising, Riskiest types of dealerships, Novel credit repair scams, $8B “fraud” opportunity | Frank McKenna, Chief Fraud Strategist, Point Predictive Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I’m speaking with Frank McKenna, Co-Founder and Chief Fraud Strategist at Point Predictive.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Point Predictive. You can access the free Point Predictive Auto Lending Fraud Report here.

Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

(00:00) - Intro

(01:15) - Frank’s background & Why Point Predictive exists

(05:55) - The massive scale and spectrum of fraud

(12:15) - Keeping up with evolving fraud methods

(26:35) - Are independent dealers riskier than franchise dealers?

(37:33) - Preventing losses and making money

(43:07) - How COVID enabled a new cohort of fraudsters

(45:35) - Wrapping up

Follow Frank on X @frankonfraud and on LinkedIn here.

Check out the website for me and follow me on X @GuyDealership!

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

#29 Secrets to selling exotic cars, Rise of rich crypto buyers, Profits in the exotic business, Selling a company for millions | Jason Putnam, Co-Founder, Tactical Fleet Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I'm speaking with Jason Putnam, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Tactical Fleet.

Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here

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

00:00 - Intro

01:00 - Jason's background

05:35 - Attracting exotic clients

11:45 - Selling to Sonic Automotive

14:15 - Unit Economics

25:00 - Scaling, customer profiles, internet money

35:52 - The best "deals" in exotic right now

38:15 - Macro forecast, wrapping up