#399 - Inside Auto City: 67 Years of Dealer Wisdom
About this episode
Blake Ingram shares the rich history of Auto City, a dealership that's been in business for 67 years. He recounts his unexpected entry into the automotive world, taking over operations from his father and navigating the complexities of running multiple locations. The conversation delves into the challenges of managing growth, leveraging debt, and adapting to market changes, including the impact of the 2008 recession and the recent pandemic. Ingram reflects on the evolution of the industry, the importance of maintaining strong relationships, and his vision for the future of car sales amidst changing consumer behaviors.
In this episode of The Independent Dealer podcast, we sit down with Blake Ingram, owner of Auto City and one of the most respected names in the buy-here-pay-here industry. With 67 years of combined car dealer wisdom, Blake shares the hard-earned lessons that have made Auto City a thriving operation in the competitive world of subprime auto lending.Blake opens up about what it really takes to run a successful BHPH dealership, from the daily challenges to the big-picture strategies that keep his business ahead of the curve. He doesn't hold back when discussing the challenging but essential topics of hiring and firing—sharing his proven approach to building a team that drives results and knowing when it's time to make the tough personnel decisions.Whether you're an established independent dealer looking to refine your operations or just breaking into the BHPH space, Blake's decades of experience offer invaluable insights into what it really takes to succeed in this industry.*In This Episode:• What makes a BHPH dealership truly successful• Blake's approach to hiring the right people for BHPH operations• When and how to make firing decisions that protect your business• Lessons learned from 67 years in the car dealer business• Keys to thriving as an independent dealer in today's market👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more strategies from industry experts!#independentdealerpodcast #AutoCity #DealerTips #CarBusiness #UsedCars #AutomotiveStrategy #IndependentDealer Thank you for listening. We hope you learned something new. Let us know what you think.-Leave us a reviewwww.theindependentdealer.comInfo@theindependentdealer.comSupport the businesses that support the podcast.Blytzpay for your credit card processing and text communications. Tell them IDP sent you to get 3 free months!https://www.blytzpay.comBuckeye Risk Services for all your education and reinsurance needshttp://www.buckeyerisk.comTaxmax for flexibility with your tax returns. Use the code “Podcast2024” for 40% off sign up!https://www.taxmax.comIgnite Consulting Partners are there to identify problems, create solutions, and help your business thrive!www.ignitecp.comPlease subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a friend.Connect with us online: / independentautogroup / jlukegodwin / sendtojeffwListen to all our episodes on Anchor:https://anchor.fm/theindependentdealer
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