Car Guy Coffee Podcast Presents #5Liner feat. Paul de Vries
About this episode
Freyland Arts and Lou discuss the importance of building connections in the automotive industry with guest Paul de Vries, a pioneer in online car sales since 1998. Paul shares his mission to improve the online automotive space for all stakeholders, emphasizing the value of genuine relationships over immediate returns. The conversation highlights the evolution of digital sales and the necessity for dealerships to adapt to the internet age. Paul's insights and experiences provide a unique perspective on the industry's growth and the importance of community.
Welcome to The #5Liner, the show dedicated to the individual journeys that power the automotive industry. It's not about the company; it's about the individual, their career, mindset, and personal story. In each episode, we sit down with a high-quality selection of Car Guys and Car Gals to get beyond the title and into the hard earned wisdom they've gained. Join us as we uncover the wins, challenges, and #5Liner takeaways that have shaped today’s top talent.
In this episode of the Car Guy Coffee Podcast, hosts Lou Ramirez and Fred Lennartz welcome Paul de Vries, a European online automotive leader whose mission is to “make online automotive a better place.” Paul shares how he sold his first car online in 1998, helped build a platform to buy new cars online that was later acquired by eBay in 2015, and explains his marathon-minded approach of helping OEMs, franchise dealers, independents, and anyone in the industry without focusing on quick sales. In the show’s “five liner,” Paul discusses his why, how he entered automotive through persistence after working as a gas station attendant, and how he earned his first sales role despite stuttering and limited experience. His greatest reward, he says, is being thanked years later for teaching and helping others, emphasizing the value of human capital, relationships, and attending industry events like NADA.
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Volkswagen
"...I transferred to another gas station because I made a career and they actually had a Volkswagen dealership and I..."
Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many popular cars, like the Golf and the Beetle. They are known for their quality and engineering.
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including the iconic Beetle and the Golf. The brand is recognized for its engineering and innovation in the automotive industry.
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