vAuto Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Reckoning with Today’s New Vehicle Realities Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

In this vAuto podcast episode, host Lance Helgeson and Brian Finkelmeyer, director of new vehicle business development for vAuto, discuss the current environment for franchised dealers in new vehicles. Brian shares an update on new vehicle sales and inventory supplies, and how these factors create an environment where the margin of error in pricing or vehicle ordering can make a difficult situation even worse. Brian offers three ways dealers can optimize their new vehicle inventory to capture the right cars and customers amid the current market volatility.

A View of Online Inventory Acquisition in the Current Market Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

In this vAuto podcast episode, host Lance Helgeson, Rob Berman, used vehicle manager at Nate Wade Subaru, Salt Lake City and Patrick Janes, director of business development for Stockwave, discuss how Berman has adjusted his inventory acquisition efforts to fit current wholesale and retail conditions. A self-proclaimed “dinosaur,” Berman shares how he’s casting a wider net using technology to find the cars that match his buying parameters, regardless of where they are. Berman also details how and why more targeted, profit-focused auction acquisitions helped drive record-setting used vehicle sales volume and gross profits in June for his dealership.

Dealer Voices: “Building the case for what the vehicle’s worth today” Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of the vAuto Podcast Retail Revival series, host Randy Kobat and Jonathan Hakes, used vehicle inventory director at Dorschel Auto Group, Rochester, NY, discuss how the group is putting a greater emphasis on capturing more trade-ins and off-street vehicles to feed its used vehicle inventory. Jonathan shares how the group is refining its “sight unseen” appraisal process and using Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer to get more accurate, consumer-led assessments of a vehicle’s condition. view of a vehicle’s condition. Jonathan also details the group’s goals to achieve a Look to Book ratio of 60 percent in the coming months.

Why Retail Demand Remains Strong Despite Economic Conditions Jun 30, 2020

Show notes

In this vAuto podcast episode, host Lance Helgeson and vAuto founder and Cox Automotive Executive Vice President Dale Pollak discuss two questions on most everyone’s minds—why is retail demand so strong and how long might it last? Dale shares a perspective shaped by conversations with top thinkers at Cox Automotive that suggests 4 “Cs” are driving retail demand, which are cash, credit, confidence and cheap money. Dale also encourages dealers to right-size their used vehicle inventories to current retail demand to avoid carrying too much inventory if retail demand loses steam as summer turns to fall across the country.

Dealer Voices: “We’re on the Right Path.” Jun 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of the vAuto Podcast Retail Revival series, host Randy Kobat and Phillip Gill, general sales manager of Tom Gill Chevrolet, Florence, KY, discuss how business has changed at the dealership since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Phillip outlines how the pandemic disrupted his transition to Provision ProfitTime, and then proved to be a useful way to position the store for a record-setting pace of sales in May. Phillip also shares some of the ways he’s changing his sales process to retain and grow the share of customers who now prefer digital retailing, and the opportunities for greater efficiencies and profitability for dealers willing to adapt their businesses to new retailing realities.

Dealer Voices: “Treat Other People Like We Want to be Treated” Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of the vAuto Podcast Retail Revival series, host Randy Kobat and Jeff VanderWal, founder and president of Clear Shift, a Littleton, CO-based independent dealership, discuss the factors that have helped the operation double its retail sales despite the pandemic. Jeff shares why Clear Shift adopted digital retailing strategies years ago, and how his sales process has offered an advantage in the current market. Jeff also shares pointers for other dealers to help them reengineer the way they sell cars by putting an earnest and honest focus on serving customers in the manner they want to be served.

Pandemic Helps Dealer Increase Reconditioning Efficiency Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

In this vAuto podcast episode, host Lance Helgeson, Jim Farkas, general manager of Germain Honda of Ann Arbor, MI, and Mike Boyd, director of business enablement for vAuto’s iRecon, discuss how Farkas used the COVID-19 pandemic to rethink the store’s approach to reconditioning. Farkas details how he’s defined specific performance standards and timelines to shave nearly three days off the time it typically takes to get vehicles frontline-ready faster. Farkas shares how he has changed pay plans and tied shop rates to specific time targets to ensure vehicles are out of the shop and detailed/online within 72 hours.

How the Car Business Will/Won’t Change with COVID-19 May 26, 2020

Show notes

In this vAuto Podcast episode, host Lance Helgeson and vAuto Founder Dale Pollak discuss key operational take-aways from the automotive industry’s response to COVID-19. Dale shares how a collective focus on customers is helping dealers redefine the way they do business to increase operational efficiency and profitability. Dale shares how some long-held beliefs, like a need for big facilities and control-based showroom experiences to make deals, are changing fast. The conversation also underscores what won’t change about the role of the dealer in retail automotive, with a specific focus on need for well-executed inventory investment fundamentals and a well-developed ability to adapt when markets change.

A Business Plan-Focused Return to Auction Buying May 26, 2020

Show notes

In this vAuto podcast episode, host Lance Helgeson, Jonathan Self, used car director for independent dealer Texas Auto and Patrick Janes, director of business development for vAuto’s Stockwave, discuss how Self has moved from a stand-still to serving a growing number of retail customers. Self details how he’s picked up curbside buying and finding front-end gross friendly auction cars by adjusting his stocking business plan to fit current market conditions. Self also shares pointers for used vehicle buyers and managers who have not yet mastered the art/science of appraising and acquiring wholesale inventory online, sight-unseen.

Dealer Voices: “We Are Excited About Where We’re Going” May 19, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of the vAuto Podcast Retail Revival series, host Randy Kobat and Trent Waybright, vice president of pre-owned operations for Kelley Auto Group, Fort Wayne, IN, discuss how the group stores are selling more used vehicles today than they did a year ago. Trent shares how he’s remained aggressive in his pricing and acquisition strategy, while innovating in the way his team gets vehicles front-line ready and handles customers in a way that makes them most comfortable and safe. Trent also shares insights on how today’s appointment-only selling may become a more permanent part of the road to the sale.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

vAuto Podcast

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6