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Cavender Auto on Used Dept, HIGHSTREET on Auto Risk, Pecoraro on Building Staff | Daily Dealer Live

Cavender Auto on Used Dept, HIGHSTREET on Auto Risk, Pecoraro on Building Staff | Daily Dealer Live

Car Dealership Guy Podcast Apr 29, 2026 61 min
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About this episode

Rob Cavender and Jonathan Gray walk through how a 87-year-old family dealership group is adapting to growth by adding structure, including a COO and general managers in every store. The conversation then turns practical: used cars are treated as the biggest daily lever, with disciplined buying, training, and process control. Later, High Street Automotive outlines dealership-specific insurance risk, while Phil Pecoraro shares a candid update on rebuilding inventory, tightening service processes, and pushing the store toward profitability.

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Company

HIGHSTREET

The episode title mentions “HIGHSTREET,” but this specific transcript section doesn’t explain it. So it’s not clear from this excerpt what it is or how it relates to the car business.

Brand

Ford

"All right opening up with a story on Ford. Jim Farley sat down with Rolling Stone and called a current moment in the auto industry as a quote coming to Jesus moment."

Ford is a major car company. Here, they’re mentioned because their CEO is talking about big changes happening across the industry.

Concept

Chinese automakers

"He points to three converging forces. I think this is interesting. The rise of Chinese automakers which we talk often about on this show."

This means car brands from China are selling more cars in other countries. Dealers pay attention because it can affect competition and pricing.

Concept

software to define vehicles

"The shift to software to define vehicles and the ongoing transition to lower emission powertrains."

It means cars are increasingly controlled by computer programs, not just mechanical parts. That can affect features you use every day and can sometimes be updated later.

Concept

lower emission powertrains

"The shift to software to define vehicles and the ongoing transition to lower emission powertrains."

A powertrain is what makes the car drive. “Lower emission” means the car is designed to put out less pollution than older designs.

Concept

competitive period comparable to the four GM battles of the 1920s

"His read is that the industry is entering a competitive period comparable to the four GM battles of the 1920s just playing out differently and across more markets simultaneously."

They’re comparing today’s car industry competition to a past time when GM faced big challenges. The takeaway is that things could get more intense for automakers and dealers.

Concept

direct sales

"What stood out for dealers specifically Farley pushed back hard on predictions that direct sales would replace the"

Direct sales means the car company sells the car to you directly, instead of using a local dealership as the middle step. People debate it because it could change how dealers make money and how cars get priced and delivered.

Concept

franchise model

"franchise model calling them quote dead wrong. He described Ford's 120 year distribution network as a major strategic asset and he said the dealer channel is well positioned to help customers navigate the shift to EVs and digital retail the same way it helped people move from horses to model Ts."

A franchise model is how car brands work with local dealerships. The brand allows dealers to sell and service the cars, usually under brand rules and support.

Concept

digital retail

"Plus we've talked a lot about this on the show as well direct to consumer Ford tried it in the 90s it didn't work so props to Ford for continuing to support that franchise model."

Digital retail means buying a car online instead of only at the dealership. You might get pricing, offers, and paperwork through a website or app before you ever drive in.

Term

EVs

"navigate the shift to EVs and digital retail the same way it helped people move from horses to model Ts."

EVs are electric cars that run on electricity from a battery. They’re different from gas cars, so the buying and servicing process can change too.

Concept

direct to consumer

"Plus we've talked a lot about this on the show as well direct to consumer Ford tried it in the 90s it didn't work so props to Ford for continuing to support that franchise model."

Direct to consumer means the car company tries to sell cars to you directly, rather than through local dealerships doing most of the selling.

Car

Ford Model T

"...he same way it helped people move from horses to model Ts. Plus we've talked a lot about this on the show a..."

The Ford Model T is an old car that Ford made in very large numbers. It helped more regular people be able to buy and use cars instead of relying on horses. It’s mentioned because it was a key step in making cars common.

Concept

used inventory

"Next up today a Stevens Inc. survey of several dozen private franchise dealers found near consensus that the fight for used inventory against Carvana and CarMax got tougher in Q1 2026."

Used inventory just means the number of used cars a dealer has available to sell. If it’s hard to get enough cars, it can get harder to compete on price.

Company

CarMax

"Next up today a Stevens Inc. survey of several dozen private franchise dealers found near consensus that the fight for used inventory against Carvana and CarMax got tougher in Q1 2026."

CarMax is a big used-car seller. The hosts are saying it competes for the same used cars and shoppers that traditional dealers want.

Company

Carvana

"Next up today a Stevens Inc. survey of several dozen private franchise dealers found near consensus that the fight for used inventory against Carvana and CarMax got tougher in Q1 2026."

Carvana is a company that sells used cars, mostly through an online buying experience. They also buy cars from sellers and bid at auctions, which can make it harder for traditional dealers to source inventory.

Concept

used vehicle days supply

"Used vehicle days supply fell from 52 days in December to 37 by end of March with one dealer calling it the tightest used market since COVID those are big words."

Used vehicle days supply is basically “how many days of used cars are sitting around” compared to how fast they’re selling. Fewer days usually means the market is tighter.

Concept

auction

"Dealers say both companies are showing up aggressively at auction and in consumers driveways with trade and offers before those customers ever step foot on a lot."

An auction is where buyers bid against each other to buy cars. If a company is aggressive at auctions, it can make it more expensive or harder for dealers to find good used cars.

Brand

Buick

"that Google Gemini will be rolling out to approximately four million US vehicles through the 2022 and 2026 newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models equipped with Google built in."

Buick is one of GM’s car brands. The hosts are saying Buick models with the right setup will get Gemini through an update.

Brand

GMC

"that Google Gemini will be rolling out to approximately four million US vehicles through the 2022 and 2026 newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models equipped with Google built in."

GMC is GM’s truck and SUV brand. The episode says certain GMC models will get the Gemini AI feature through an update.

Brand

Google Gemini

"General Motors announced yesterday that Google Gemini will be rolling out to approximately four million US vehicles through the 2022 and 2026 newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models equipped with Google built in."

Google Gemini is a generative AI assistant integrated into compatible vehicles. The episode discusses how it will roll out via software updates and how drivers may develop expectations about its behavior in the car.

Brand

Cadillac

"that Google Gemini will be rolling out to approximately four million US vehicles through the 2022 and 2026 newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models equipped with Google built in."

Cadillac is GM’s luxury car brand. The hosts are saying some Cadillac models will get the Gemini AI feature through an update.

Brand

Chevrolet

"that Google Gemini will be rolling out to approximately four million US vehicles through the 2022 and 2026 newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models equipped with Google built in."

Chevrolet is GM’s main brand of cars. The episode says some Chevrolet models will receive the Gemini AI feature through an update.

Concept

Play Store

"The update arrives automatically through the play store at no cost."

The Play Store is where apps are installed on Android devices. The episode is saying the car can get the Gemini update through that same app system.

Term

software update

"For dealers this is a largely background software update but one worth getting ahead of customers who use Gemini on their phones will have expectations about how it behaves in the car and those may or may not match reality"

A software update is a new version of the car’s computer programs. Instead of visiting a shop, the car can get new features automatically.

Brand

OnStar

"At no additional cost though drivers need an active on-star plan with voice assistants to use it. For 2025 and newer models that's bundled into the on-star basics package at no charge for eight years."

OnStar is GM’s in-car service that connects the vehicle to help and features. To use Gemini, the car needs an active OnStar plan that includes voice assistant support.

Term

voice assistants

"At no additional cost though drivers need an active on-star plan with voice assistants to use it."

Voice assistants let you talk to the car to control features or ask questions. Here, using Gemini depends on having the right voice-assistant setup in the car.

Company

Toyota suppliers

"And finally up today the ceasefire we reported on earlier this month remains unresolved referencing the Iran conflict and Japanese auto suppliers are now flagging a different kind of risk from the ongoing conflict. Toyota suppliers are watching key inputs tied to"

Toyota suppliers are the companies that provide parts and materials to Toyota’s production network. The segment frames them as monitoring “key inputs” tied to geopolitical conflict risk, highlighting supply-chain exposure.

Concept

Strait of Hormuz

"and vulnerable to price spikes as the Strait of Hormuz situation drags on... The sticking point remains Iran's demand that the U.S. lifts its blockade as a precondition for reopening the Hormuz."

It’s a major shipping lane for oil. If it’s threatened or disrupted, the price of fuel can jump, and that can eventually affect lots of things—including the cost to get and price vehicles.

Concept

blockade

"The sticking point remains Iran's demand that the U.S. lifts its blockade as a precondition for reopening the Hormuz."

A blockade is when one side tries to stop another side from trading or moving goods. When that affects major shipping routes, it can ripple into fuel and supply costs that show up in car prices.

Concept

supply chain sensitivity

"No immediate disruption has hit dealers lot yet but the supply chain sensitivity is real and it's worth watching how this plays out over the next few weeks"

It’s basically how easily a business gets thrown off when the flow of parts or materials gets disrupted. If the supply chain is “sensitive,” small changes can quickly affect what shows up on dealer lots and what it costs.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"yoga car says car max is trending on x for having 19,000 price 19k price on you on 2015 used corollas. Super fascinating."

They’re talking about used 2015 Toyota Corollas—one of the most common cars on the used market. The point is that the price being asked for those cars is drawing attention.

Car

Porsche 917

"Patrick block motive venture says happy anniversary of the debut of the Porsche 917 at Le Mans. Patrick thanks for always being good for our anniversary dates here on daily dealer live."

The Porsche 917 is a famous race car from the 1960s. It’s remembered because it was built to win endurance races like Le Mans.

Topic

role of a COO

"All right let's dive headlong into our first guest and interview... how do you think about the role of a COO a group"

They’re about to talk about what a COO does—basically the person responsible for running day-to-day operations. In a car dealership company, that can include staffing, processes, and how the stores run.

Concept

general manager (GM)

"...we had three stores and they basically acted as GM's of each of the of those stores... we went from having zero GM's two years ago to having a general manager in every store about six months ago..."

A general manager is the main person in charge of a dealership location. They oversee how the store runs and make sure the team hits its goals.

Concept

variable and fixed directors

"...we made the decision about two years ago that you know we're no longer just going to run with variable and fixed directors but have real operators and real leaders at every store..."

They’re talking about different kinds of management roles—some that change based on results or needs, and some that are steady. They decided to replace that with more consistent leadership at each dealership.

Concept

prospective OEMs

"...real operators and real leaders at every store carrying the flag for each of our prospective OEMs and creating that synergy..."

OEMs are the car brands themselves (like the companies that make the vehicles). “Prospective OEMs” means the brands they’re trying to work with for dealership opportunities.

Concept

NCM Academy for leaders

"...it was a mix of some internal promotions some NCM Academy for leaders that were ready for it..."

This sounds like a leadership training program for dealership managers. They used it to prepare some internal people before promoting them to GM.

Topic

Used car department

"...front and center these first 30 days... automotive right because sometimes it gets nerve-racking to make too many changes too fast..."

They’re talking about how a dealership runs its used-car section. It’s mostly about organizing people, setting clear goals, and making sure the team knows what they’re responsible for.

Term

COO role

"...most auto groups you would find someone in that COO role internally right and and it's either a"

COO means Chief Operating Officer. It’s the person responsible for making sure the business runs smoothly day to day.

Company

Cavender

"what made Cavender a match for you as you considered this opportunity and how does your background prepare you to help defend that culture that Cavender has but also hold team members accountable as you grow and spread the Cavender culture"

“Cavender” here refers to the dealership company the guest is joining. They’re talking about how the company grows to more locations while trying to keep its culture and standards the same.

Concept

phase one

"and I took I thought a lot about that before day one for for sure you know phase one is really just [1235.8s] that literally again the title is is irrelevant those first X amount of days or weeks or months"

“Phase one” is a structured onboarding approach: the first days/weeks/months are focused on learning what each store needs and building trust. The speaker emphasizes listening, asking questions, and identifying how they can support teams without disrupting progress.

Concept

GM

"trying to run a lap you know with the general managers or whoever it might it might be you know [1259.0s] it could be a lonely world out there as a GM or or any role and to be there I guess to support them"

GM means General Manager. It’s the manager who runs a dealership location and keeps the day-to-day operation on track.

Concept

execution

"and then and then when the rubber meets the road in this business you're either making a difference [1320.3s] or you're not and so as we kind of shift out of that you know first 30 30 day phase into"

“Execution” means doing the plan in real life, not just talking about it. It’s about whether the team’s actions actually lead to results.

Concept

tech stack

"you wake up one day and your tech stack looks pretty wild at times the next thing you know if if you're not committed to being a power user"

“Tech stack” just means all the computer programs a company relies on to do its work. If people don’t really use them well, the tools can’t help the business the way they’re supposed to.

Concept

power user

"if you're not committed to being a power user and it's not going to really how do I say you execute on the intent of why we signed up to begin with"

A “power user” is someone who knows the software really well and uses more of its features. The point here is that you shouldn’t just install tools—you should use them well.

Concept

supply chain of retail

"Paul Salisman comes into the text as vendors are the supply chain of retail or partners you've said that the next level performance often runs through used cars"

“Supply chain” just means how a business gets products (cars, in this case) and moves them through the process until they’re sold. The point is that used cars and sourcing matter a lot to how dealerships make money.

Concept

used cars

"often runs through used cars will you unpack that for us why is used cars ... for profitability and performance and you think of all the different buckets that make it you know a dealership run"

The hosts discuss used cars as a major lever for dealership profitability and performance, implying that used inventory acquisition, pricing, and operations can materially affect results. They connect this to how different “buckets” of dealership operations work together, including both new and used sides.

Concept

buy center

"do you have a buy center what are you working on that way john you're a great question I don't know that I'm going to give you the best place what I'm going to give you is the best strategy and so first of all treating procurement buying cars every day as important"

A “buy center” is a dedicated operation (often a team or process) focused on purchasing used vehicles. The host later references a person who created a buy center, implying a structured approach to sourcing inventory.

Concept

procurement strategy

"first of all treating procurement buying cars every day as important and with the same level as of enthusiasm as selling cars each day that's the culture shift that you need to celebrate procurement as much as you would celebrate selling cars and so I'll kind of leave you with this on that subject you know every Monday is an example having a procurement strategy with your key players at the team trying to figure out how many do you need who's going to buy them and from which bucket"

A procurement strategy is a planned approach to acquiring inventory—here, used cars—by defining how many units you need, who buys them, and where they come from. The hosts frame it as a daily, team-based process rather than something handled occasionally.

Concept

bucket

"having a procurement strategy with your key players at the team trying to figure out how many do you need who's going to buy them and from which bucket because it takes a village to put together you know a next level used car department yeah and then ultimately are people executing during the week and are you following up on that and and so one of the one of the comments I'll make here Sam would be you can't solve varsity problems like used cars being incremental it has to matter every day it's not a once a week type meeting and then you need to make sure that you followed up you know on Friday that the plan got executed so many buckets but"

In used-car sourcing, a “bucket” is a category for inventory acquisition—such as different sources, vehicle types, or price/condition bands. The hosts discuss deciding “which bucket” to buy from, meaning allocating purchasing effort across defined segments.

Concept

incremental

"one of the one of the comments I'll make here Sam would be you can't solve varsity problems like used cars being incremental it has to matter every day it's not a once a week type meeting and then you need to make sure that you followed up you know on Friday that the plan got executed"

They mean that you can’t just make small, slow changes and expect used-car problems to go away. The dealership has to work on it every day and check that the plan is actually happening.

Concept

used car buyer

"[1653.6s] make him be a used car buyer he's like he will make me more money buying cars than he will [1659.1s] selling cars today and I think that's right John yeah absolutely there are some of the the best"

In a dealership, a used-car buyer is the person who finds cars to stock on the lot. They’re trying to buy vehicles at the right price so the dealership can resell them for profit.

Topic

daily dealer live

"[1683.5s] most people don't know that your new team members at Cavender might find fascinating or the general [1688.8s] public our daily dealer live listening audience got it so I go off to San Diego state in 1989"

That phrase is basically the name of the show or audience they’re talking to, not a car or car-tech term.

Company

circles

"[1731.1s] you're a part of cdg circles in fact I [1734.9s] have it on a little I have a little known fact that you may have been one of the originating [1740.8s] founding ideas of circles what have you gotten out of circles year to date 2026"

“Circles” sounds like a dealer network or community. The idea is that members can ask questions and get advice more often than a traditional once-a-quarter group.

Concept

20 group model

"[1750.0s] it's you know so many people lean on the 20 group model for you know insights from other dealers [1757.3s] other operators around the country but it's inconsistent on the communication"

The “20 group model” refers to a peer group of about 20 dealers/operators who share insights. In this context, it’s contrasted with “circles” because the communication cadence is less frequent.

Term

EOS

"EOS we've been running on EOS for a year and there's a subsection for that technology OEM relations all these different things so it's just it's a great way to communicate"

EOS likely refers to a business system the company uses to organize goals and execution. They’re saying they’ve been using it for a year and it helps them coordinate work.

Car

Volkswagen Eos

"...es when it comes to you know even things such as EOS we've been running on EOS for a year and there's ..."

The Volkswagen Eos is a Volkswagen car that’s designed to let you drive with the roof open. It has a roof that can retract so you can switch between open-air and closed driving. It may be discussed because people want to know how that roof feature holds up over time.

Company

Zurich

"John we need to get you back soon to report on your progress we're following it closely so thanks ... Zurich today's episode is brought to you by Zurich if you're a if you're a dealer and have ever wondered whether your profit participation program could be better"

Zurich is the company sponsoring the show. They’re offering help to dealers who want to review how their insurance-related profit sharing is set up.

Term

profit participation program

"if you're a if you're a dealer and have ever wondered whether your profit participation program could be better well Zurich offers a no obligation profit participation checkup"

This is a deal where a dealer can earn extra money when certain results go well. The sponsor is saying you can review the setup to make sure it’s working in your favor.

Term

profit participation checkup

"well Zurich offers a no obligation profit participation checkup it's a simple pressure free way to get clarity on your program structure request your profit participation checkup at ZurichNA.com forward slash checkup"

Zurich is offering a review of how your profit-sharing setup works. It’s meant to help you understand if you’re getting the best terms without a lot of hassle.

Concept

dealership rental and leasing space

"[1990.4s] really the sole purpose of the AT&T was to be the leading provider in the dealership rental and leasing space and so at the time it was the joint venture with Zurich actually and oh [2001.4s] Zurich that's my old employer"

They’re talking about a business that provides cars for rent and for leasing through dealerships. It’s basically managing fleets of cars so dealers can offer rental/lease options to customers.

Concept

daily car rental and leasing business

"[2012.0s] into writing other types of dealerships and get into that daily car rental and leasing business [2016.1s] and so they tapped into Bob and Joe's expertise"

This means they handle cars that customers rent for short periods (like day-to-day rentals) and also cars that customers keep for longer under a lease. Both require managing a fleet of vehicles.

Company

ATD

"[2038.7s] so we believe associations are very important for the industry and so right we're NADA, ATD, [2046.6s] the National Vehicle Leasing Association"

ATD is another industry organization they mention as part of where they network and participate. It’s one of the groups dealers and automotive businesses often connect with.

Company

National Vehicle Leasing Association

"[2046.6s] the National Vehicle Leasing Association right international car rental show right we're [2050.6s] participating in a lot of a lot of different events"

This is an industry group focused on leasing cars. The guest mentions it to show they’re active in the leasing side of the automotive business.

Concept

property casualty garage liability insurance

"[2055.0s] so is your area of focus is it rental and leasing for like for loaner fleets customer rentals [2063.5s] or do you do the property casualty garage liability a lot insurance and all that as well"

This is a type of insurance for businesses like garages that covers accidents and damage, and helps pay legal costs if someone sues. The “garage liability” part is about responsibility for what happens in the shop or involving customer vehicles.

Concept

loaner fleets

"[2055.0s] so is your area of focus is it rental and leasing for like for loaner fleets customer rentals [2063.5s] or do you do the property casualty garage liability a lot insurance and all that as well"

A loaner fleet is a set of cars a shop keeps available to lend to customers. For example, if your car is in the shop, they may give you one of these cars to drive.

Term

direct rider model

"...in the 1990s an opportunity presented itself when Zurich wanted to grow that direct rider model that we all know them for today..."

This is an insurance sales approach where the insurer pushes more of the business directly, instead of relying only on third parties. The guest is using it to explain how their company got involved with Zurich’s growth strategy.

Concept

industry vertical

"...creating an industry vertical catering specifically to the automotive industry and if you look at High Street insurance in general..."

An industry vertical means a company specializes in one type of business. In this case, they’re building insurance expertise specifically for the auto-dealership world.

Term

auto liability

"because that auto liability is certainly at the top of the mind while the underwriters all right so give us a give us a couple tips"

Auto liability is the insurance risk from accidents involving cars. If a dealership’s vehicle is involved in damage or injuries, this is the kind of coverage the dealer needs.

Term

P&L

"for many dealers insurance is in fact one of the top five expenses in their P&L"

P&L is a simple way to track money in and money out for a business. It shows how big expenses like insurance are compared to everything else.

Term

loss frequency

"losses claims handling and program structure can swing that number dramatically year over year so we're not just talking about premium SAM we're really talking about loss frequency and severity"

Loss frequency means how many claims/accidents you have over time. More frequent incidents usually lead to higher insurance costs.

Term

loss severity

"loss frequency and severity perhaps their deductible strategy what we call claims leakage and operational behaviors that drive incidents"

Loss severity means how expensive each accident/claim is. A few big claims can hurt more than many small ones.

Term

deductible strategy

"loss frequency and severity perhaps their deductible strategy what we call claims leakage and operational behaviors that drive incidents"

A deductible is what you pay first when there’s a claim. A deductible strategy is how you pick that amount to balance lower premiums versus higher out-of-pocket costs.

Term

claims leakage

"perhaps their deductible strategy what we call claims leakage and operational behaviors that drive incidents so I think that the real impact on profitability isn't just what you pay"

Claims leakage is when a claim ends up costing more than it should because of mistakes or poor process. Better handling can reduce those extra costs.

Term

loaners

"in area where we have conversations with a lot of dealers is around loaners right and so our loaners partly manufacture a program or not right"

Loaners are replacement cars a dealership gives you while your car is in the shop. Since someone else is driving them, they can raise the dealership’s accident risk.

Term

garage liability policy

"they let one of those vehicles go out right and then there's been there's been case law right that"

Garage liability insurance is the coverage for a business that handles and operates cars. If the dealership releases a loaner vehicle, that insurance is more likely to be involved if something goes wrong.

Term

case law

"and then there's been there's been case law right that"

Case law means court decisions that set rules for how similar situations are judged. It can change how liability works in real disputes.

Term

garage policy

"[2384.1s] but truthfully we do advocate that aggressively for all our clients protect your primary business [2391.9s] which is the dealership and your primary insurance program which is the garage policy"

A garage policy is the insurance a dealership uses for its day-to-day vehicle-related risks at the shop. The point here is that they’re saying loaner/rental risk shouldn’t be lumped into the same coverage.

Term

dealership liability

"and so we can really help dealers manage that exposure and get that off of their garage policy [2360.9s] and also their dealership liability so you would say get it off keep it off the policy"

Liability is basically “who gets blamed” if there’s a problem. For a dealership, it means the dealer can be held responsible for certain accidents or damages, so they need insurance that covers that risk.

Term

daily rental policy

"[2396.7s] by shifting that exposure to a dedicated daily rental policy it's a strategy that's worked for [2402.6s] our clients for decades"

This is insurance specifically tailored to loaner or rental cars that customers drive for a short time. The idea is to make sure that risk is covered by the right policy instead of relying on the dealership’s general coverage.

Term

loaner car shuttle vans

"[2402.6s] our clients for decades yep you talked a little bit about loaner car shuttle vans we kind of we [2408.0s] kind of hit that that's that's out there some dealers in 2026 are actually offloading some of"

These are the vans dealers use to move people around while their car is in service. The risk is that accidents or incidents involving the van can create insurance and legal problems.

Term

ride share services

"[2413.6s] that risk by turning to uber and lyft and some of the other ride share services is that a strategy [2418.6s] you would buy into"

Ride-share services are apps where you request a car to take you somewhere. Here, dealers are considering using them instead of their own loaner/shuttle setup to reduce risk.

Concept

risk review of dealerships

"[2448.1s] you do a risk review of dealerships give us two or three operational practices that you almost [2453.7s] always flag that are quietly creating unnecessary exposure"

A risk review is basically a checklist-style look at how a dealership operates to find hidden problems that could lead to claims or lawsuits. Insurance companies care about these details when deciding what to cover.

Concept

safety is driven by culture at the dealership

"[2465.0s] that safety is driven by culture at the dealership and it really is from a top-down approach right [2470.1s] and we've heard Rob and John previously sounds like they got they got things dialed in there"

The idea is that safety isn’t just a sign or a policy—it’s how the workplace behaves every day. If managers lead the safety effort, employees are more likely to follow it.

Term

underwriters

"[2474.3s] and are working on that but you know we talk about safety meetings quite a bit right and that's the [2480.2s] question that that underwriters ask about"

Underwriters are the people at an insurance company who decide how risky something is and what the policy should cover. They often look for evidence that a business manages safety.

Concept

risk reviews

"...if I can get into the weeds though on your question a little bit more one call out we see that's rural world 2026 a common mistake when we're doing risk reviews..."

Risk reviews are a way to look at what could go wrong for a business and make sure the right protections are in place. Here, they’re saying the insurance setup often doesn’t match the real risks.

Term

cyber liability

"...we see far too often dealers being covered by cyber liability and we all know what happened in in in our space over the last few years..."

Cyber liability is insurance for when a company gets hacked or has a data breach. It helps pay for the costs and fallout from that kind of incident.

Term

employment practices liability

"...even coverages like employment practices liability those coverage being insured or covered on an endorsement on the garage package we think that's a mistake..."

Employment practices liability is insurance for problems that come from how employees are treated at work. It can help if someone sues over things like discrimination or wrongful termination.

Term

garage package

"...those coverage being insured or covered on an endorsement on the garage package we think that's a mistake..."

A garage package is a bundled insurance policy for businesses like dealerships or repair shops. The point being made is that some risks may be better covered by separate, specialized policies.

Term

endorsement

"...those coverage being insured or covered on an endorsement on the garage package we think that's a mistake..."

An endorsement is like an official add-on to an insurance policy that modifies what the policy covers. Here, they’re saying using add-ons inside a bundle may not be the best way to cover certain risks.

Term

specialized insurance policy

"...the dealer's best interest is to cover those exposures on a specialized insurance policy that's backed by specialized claims teams..."

A specialized insurance policy is insurance built for one particular kind of risk. The idea is that the insurer is better prepared to handle that exact problem if it happens.

Term

claims teams

"...specialized insurance policy that's backed by specialized claims teams for those very unique kind of exposures..."

Claims teams are the people at the insurance company who handle your claim. For complex issues like cyber incidents or workplace lawsuits, having the right experts can make a big difference.

Concept

segregating that out

"...the bigger the loss that impacts your overall garage keepers policy right so the idea of segregating that out or protecting the main policy by putting some of these catastrophic loss type risks outside of that makes sense..."

“Segregating that out” means separating certain risks so they’re insured differently instead of all together. The goal is to keep a big loss from messing up the rest of your insurance coverage.

Term

carriers lack of appetite

"...it's part of our strategy it's also part carriers lack of appetite sometimes at the end of the day when it comes to cyber liability"

“Lack of appetite” means the insurance company isn’t very interested in taking on that risk. When that happens, it can affect what coverage options are available or how they’re priced.

Term

hail damage

"you do you want someone that's good at adjusting claims with the hail damage on cars yeah or do"

Hail damage is when the weather (hail) dents your car and can chip or crack the paint. Insurance claims usually need proof and an estimate of what it will cost to fix.

Term

forensic IT

"you want someone that's truly a specialist with subject matter expertise in forensic IT folks behind the scenes to unpack a potentially catastrophic cyber event"

Forensic IT is like a technical investigation after a computer or network problem. Experts look for clues about what went wrong and what data or systems were affected.

Concept

potentially catastrophic cyber event

"forensic IT folks behind the scenes to unpack a potentially catastrophic cyber event we would argue that doing it on a specialized coverage form backed by a specialized claims team is the way to go"

A potentially catastrophic cyber event is a big computer security incident—like a hack—that could seriously disrupt a business. It may expose information or shut down important systems.

Term

specialized coverage form

"we would argue that doing it on a specialized coverage form backed by a specialized claims team is the way to go"

A specialized coverage form is the specific insurance paperwork that spells out what kinds of problems are covered. If it matches the risk correctly, it can make the claim process smoother and more likely to pay.

Term

dealer insurance policy

"to give us perspectives on how to protect your dealer insurance policy in 2026 thank you both for being on"

A dealer insurance policy is the insurance a car dealership uses to protect the business from losses. It can include things like damage to property and protection if something goes wrong.

Concept

used car inventory

"you had zero used cars on the lot which was shocking yes you were scrambling to get inventory from sister stores from enterprise"

It just means how many used cars the dealership has sitting on the lot to sell. Having the right number matters because too few means missed sales, and too many can make cars sit longer.

Term

dms

"some of the mistakes that we made were not repeating but we didn't have a dms really for about the first 14 days no lenders"

A DMS is the dealership’s main computer system for running the business—tracking cars, customers, and deals. If you don’t have it set up, it can be harder to manage inventory and sales day-to-day.

Term

lenders

"but we didn't have a dms really for about the first 14 days no lenders and we ballooned to about 80 used cars"

Lenders are the companies that provide car loans. If the dealership doesn’t have lenders lined up, fewer customers can finance a purchase, so cars may sell more slowly.

Concept

sweet spot

"i think our sweet spot is about 47 cars that's what we currently have and then and and as we grow that volume we're about a 35 day supply"

They’re talking about the best “middle ground” for how many used cars to have on the lot. Too few limits sales, and too many can overwhelm the staff and slow sales.

Term

sales manager

"and then just really focusing every single sales manager"

A sales manager is the person who oversees the sales team and helps make sure cars are sold efficiently. They’re responsible for keeping the sales process organized and productive.

Term

inventory supply

"and then and and as we grow that volume we're about a 35 day supply and then just really focusing every single sales manager"

This is a way to estimate how long the cars they have will last before they need to buy more. A “35 day supply” means the current lot could cover about a month of sales.

Term

stock number

"has a stock number with their first initials so we know what they're buying oh and and when they so so my finding even my finance manager it's rm and then that's the stock number of the car so we"

A stock number is like a tag number the dealership gives each car. It helps them keep track of that exact vehicle in their computer system.

Term

UVI machine

"i'm really excited i'm just looking at our new uvi machine that got installed yesterday uh so to make sure that every single trade-in is looked at that way every single service appraisal that we can make sure that the sales managers get an alert so they can praise that vehicle and put an accurate number on it ... so we uh the store is 20 years old never had a hunter machine and so we weren't checking tire depth we're checking uh alignment uvi is one of the few products where you get an alignment and tread depth"

The UVI machine is a tool the dealership uses to scan a car before selling it. It can spot issues like tire wear and alignment problems, and it can also detect certain emissions-related problems.

Term

trade-in

"so to make sure that every single trade-in is looked at that way every single service appraisal that we can make sure that the sales managers get an alert so they can praise that vehicle and put an accurate number on it ... when we deliver a car we're going to run it through there to make sure there's no damage"

A trade-in is the car you turn in to the dealer when you buy a different car. The dealer checks it because it affects what they can sell it for later.

Term

service appraisal

"at our new uvi machine that got installed yesterday uh so to make sure that every single trade-in is looked at that way every single service appraisal that we can make sure that the sales managers get an alert so they can praise that vehicle and put an accurate number on it"

A service appraisal is basically an estimate of what condition the car is in and what repairs it might need. Dealerships use it to help decide the price and what work to do before selling.

Term

tread depth

"never had a hunter machine and so we weren't checking tire depth we're checking uh alignment uvi is one of the few products where you get an alignment and tread depth so we tackle those two things"

Tread depth is how much tire rubber is left. If it’s low, the tires don’t grip as well and may need replacing soon.

Term

alignment

"never had a hunter machine and so we weren't checking tire depth we're checking uh alignment uvi is one of the few products where you get an alignment and tread depth so we tackle those two things"

Alignment is how straight (or angled) the wheels are set. If it’s off, the tires can wear faster and the car can feel like it’s not tracking straight.

Term

deleted

"as far as trades i mean we took in three diesel trucks that are deleted and they look great unless you climb underneath them the second you drive it over uvi it flags that hey this thing's missing some emissions components"

Here, “deleted” means the truck has had emissions equipment removed. It may look normal at first, but it can cause problems when checked for emissions compliance.

Term

emissions components

"we took in three diesel trucks that are deleted and they look great unless you climb underneath them the second you drive it over uvi it flags that hey this thing's missing some emissions components"

Emissions components are the parts that help the car reduce pollution. If they’re missing, the car may not pass checks and you might have to pay to put the missing parts back.

Term

DPF

"uvi it flags that hey this thing's missing some emissions components and that can save you five to seven thousand dollars uh from needing a dpf or the kind of stuff like that"

DPF means diesel particulate filter. It’s a part that catches soot from diesel exhaust, and if it’s missing or damaged you may need costly repairs.

Concept

fixed ops absorption

"we talked fixed ops absorption we you last uh turn last turnaround you started at 26 what's your starting baseline here and where are you today april 26 and fixed ops absorption so that's our biggest win"

It’s a way to measure whether the dealership’s service department is making enough money to pay for its ongoing, non-variable costs. If the number is improving, the service side is usually running more efficiently.

Term

service gross

"we started we were doing about 150 thousand dollars in gross this month we should get to 185 uh on a short month and every single month they've added about $10,000 in service gross and then parts is coming right along with that"

It’s basically how much money the dealership makes from doing repairs and maintenance work. When service gross goes up, the service department is doing better financially.

Term

parts gross

"every single month they've added about $10,000 in service gross and then parts is coming right along with that so we could get close to 300 thousand dollars in service gross next month"

It’s the money the dealership makes from selling car parts. If parts gross rises, it usually means more repairs are being done and the parts sales are keeping up.

Term

video percentage

"it's really just making sure uh that we're inspecting the vehicles accurate our video percentage and we talked about that our last one we're almost at 80 percent"

It’s how often the shop uses video to show customers what’s going on with their car. More video can make it easier for customers to trust the findings and say yes to repairs.

Term

metaglasses

"we put a program together so we'll pay for the techs to have the metaglasses and they are really enjoying that to have kind of the hands-free um experience"

It’s a wearable camera that lets the tech record the inspection without holding a phone or camera. That makes it easier to create clear videos every time.

Term

video npi

"what's the delivery tool you're using for your video npi uh tech yon right now uh but they're using the metaglasses to actually film it"

They’re using video as part of the inspection process so customers can clearly see what the tech is seeing. It’s meant to build trust and reduce confusion.

Term

uvi inspection

"it's a video npi it's it's uvi inspection is there any other secret sauce to raising your gross as much as you have over the past six months"

It’s a specific kind of inspection process the dealership uses to check and document the car for the customer. Here, they’re saying it’s connected to using video to help customers understand what needs attention.

Concept

strong checkout process

"a couple things we um installed a strong checkout process with the advisors to make sure that the guests are getting offered what they need and nothing extra"

It means the dealership has a careful step-by-step process at the end of the inspection to make sure the customer is offered the right repairs. It’s also meant to prevent upselling things they don’t really need.

Concept

transparency part

"but then also just just slowing it down and really training on just just being that transparency part when you show them what they need and then the customers are taking advantage of that"

They’re emphasizing that customers should clearly see what’s wrong and what needs fixing. When people understand the problem, they’re more likely to approve repairs.

Term

customer pay traffic

"and it's tight right now but customers are starting to fix older vehicles which increases that customer pay the customer pay traffic is getting good and then uh delivering"

It means the number of customers who are actually paying for repairs themselves. More customer-pay work usually means the service department is converting inspections into real, billable jobs.

Concept

pre-acquisition

"...when we were selling 30 to 50 cars a month before pre-acquisition um we only had three to five sales people..."

“Pre-acquisition” just means “before the dealership was bought.” They’re talking about how things were different before the ownership change.

Concept

fleet sales person

"...we went and out and got a fleet sales person uh christ or solantis is really focusing on that small business kind of stuff..."

A fleet sales person sells cars or trucks to businesses that need vehicles for work, often buying more than one at a time. It’s a different type of sales job than selling to individual customers.

Brand

Solantis

"...christ or solantis is really focusing on that small business kind of stuff um and so when you bring that in it's transformed the business..."

Solantis is referenced as the dealership group/brand identity in the conversation. The hosts discuss how Solantis dealers operate and how changes in rules affect their competitive behavior.

Concept

out of state

"...we delivered five cars out of state this month sold seven uh rhos..."

“Out of state” means they’re selling cars to people who live in another state. That can change how the dealership ships the car and handles the paperwork.

Car

F-150 Raptor

"... when i was at the four store we were kind of the raptor business and so we're not really worried about t..."

The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck. People use it for tasks like towing and carrying things, but it can also be a normal daily driver. It comes up a lot in dealership talk because many customers shop for it.

Term

FTC guidelines

"...but acquire the trade let f and i do what they do uh be competitive and i'm really happy about the ftc guidelines..."

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) guidelines are rules and enforcement guidance aimed at preventing deceptive or unfair business practices. Here, they’re specifically tied to how dealers present pricing and incentives (like rebates and financing offers) to avoid misleading customers.

Term

made up rebates

"...solantis dealers i feel like we're a lot of bad behaviors as far as made up rebates and all the other stuff..."

“Made up rebates” means advertising a discount that isn’t actually available or isn’t being handled honestly. It can make the car seem cheaper than it really is.

Company

NADA

"...senator marino was on this show before the ftc call with nada and he said hey this ftc letter is a cleanup..."

NADA refers to the National Automobile Dealers Association, an industry group representing car dealerships. In the segment, it’s mentioned in connection with an FTC-related call/letter and dealer compliance.

Term

fake trade rebate

"...having you know a fake trade rebate or a fake financing rebate"

A “fake trade rebate” is an incentive tied to a trade-in that’s not legitimate or is presented in a misleading way. The point is to make the deal look better while the actual numbers may not add up once you look at the full transaction.

Term

fake financing rebate

"...having you know a fake trade rebate or a fake financing rebate"

A “fake financing rebate” is a financing-related incentive that’s not genuine or is structured to mislead the buyer about the true cost of financing. It’s often used to create an attractive monthly payment or advertised discount without reflecting the real terms.

Concept

self-policing

"so i think that if it's uh i think self-policing is a good thing but i think that uh you know we have to hold ourselves to that high standard and the more transparency and we we don't want to give ourselves a bad name"

Self-policing is when an industry or company monitors its own behavior to ensure compliance before outside enforcement becomes necessary. The speaker argues it’s good, but still emphasizes holding a high standard and being transparent.

Term

EV

"they seem like they've made the hard decisions and taken the um bite in the bullet with the ev right off uh and building those relationships with dealers"

EV means electric vehicle, like a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They’re saying the brand made tough decisions to move into that market.

Term

half-ton market

"the pricing's been readjusted and right-sized the uh half-ton market uh the super duty market is is strong"

The half-ton market refers to a segment of pickup trucks typically rated around “half-ton” payload capacity (often associated with 1500-series trucks). The speaker says pricing has been adjusted and that this segment is strong.

Term

super duty market

"the pricing's been readjusted and right-sized the uh half-ton market uh the super duty market is is strong and the quality's been good"

This is the market for bigger, heavier-duty trucks—usually the ones people use for towing and hauling. They’re saying demand and strength in that segment are good.

Term

fleet business

"patrick comes in and says how is the fleet business with service retention do you lose that to their competitors i think is what i can't see the the internal partners do you lose that to their internal partners uh so we have a relationship with enterprise we're enterprise will buy cars from us but it's an opportunity for us to pick up some of that fleet business"

Fleet business means selling cars to companies that use lots of vehicles for work. The key issue is keeping the vehicles running—if they’re down for repairs, it costs the fleet.

Company

enterprise

"so we have a relationship with enterprise we're enterprise will buy cars from us but it's an opportunity for us to pick up some of that fleet business"

They’re talking about a company called Enterprise that buys cars in bulk. The dealer wants to win some of that fleet business by building good relationships.

Term

downtime

"i think the biggest thing is um when you're involved in the fleet business those customers are so concerned about downtime can you get the cars in can you get them fixed can you get them authorized"

Downtime is how long a car is out of service. For fleet customers, every day a vehicle is broken or waiting on repairs hurts their business.

Term

authorized

"those customers are so concerned about downtime can you get the cars in can you get them fixed can you get them authorized i'm i'm of the mind"

Authorized means the repair work has to be approved by the right party before the shop can proceed. For fleets, getting that approval quickly helps the car get back on the road.

Concept

used dept

"the cars in and out you'll retain them as customers because i mean we'll go pick up a car in vernal [3456.5s] and truck it out here um obviously with gas prices spiking we've seen the basin which is you know"

That “used dept” is the part of a car dealership that sells pre-owned cars. They buy them, get them ready, and then sell them to customers.

Concept

gas prices spiking

"and truck it out here um obviously with gas prices spiking we've seen the basin which is you know [3462.5s] a couple hours away pick up some trucks for us and um that market's kind of heating up again"

When gas prices jump quickly, it can change what people want to buy and how dealers move cars around. It can also affect the cost of transporting vehicles.

Concept

market's kind of heating up

"pick up some trucks for us and um that market's kind of heating up again [3466.3s] right now too so it's good all right your goal you said last time was a million dollars net year"

They’re saying the car-buying market is getting stronger. That usually means more people want to buy, and cars may sell faster.

Concept

net year

"right now too so it's good all right your goal you said last time was a million dollars net year [3472.6s] one and three to five longer term um and that this was going to be the first of multiple stores"

They’re talking about how much money the store expects to make after paying costs. “Net” usually means profit, not just revenue.

Concept

profitability

"um i've got a little over my skis i can tell you that um we're we're not i love that though [3496.8s] close this month and then in may we should definitely it's our grand opening month um [3500.9s] but i think i i kind of overestimated um how much stuff i could do by myself"

They’re saying the business isn’t making enough profit yet, but they expect it to start soon. Profitability means the store is covering its costs and still making money.

Concept

grand opening month

"close this month and then in may we should definitely it's our grand opening month um [3500.9s] but i think i i kind of overestimated um how much stuff i could do by myself as far as pulling levers"

They’re describing the store’s first month after opening. Early on, it can take time to get organized and start making steady money.

Concept

pulling levers

"but i think i i kind of overestimated um how much stuff i could do by myself as far as pulling levers [3507.6s] um still building the team but it's really it's fun to see it grow together and then get better"

This is a metaphor for making changes that you can control to improve results. In a dealership, it could mean things like how they staff the store or how they run sales.

Concept

finance managers

"and then f and i two good finance managers now is really starting to make in that difference [3537.6s] yep what's the last question up and thank you for being uh so transparent with us"

Finance managers are the people who help arrange the car loan or lease and handle the extra paperwork and add-ons. They can strongly impact how much profit the dealership makes.

Concept

10 000 hours

"where we pushed the guys so hard so fast we hit 10 000 hours once and then we didn't hit it again [3578.4s] for two years and i kind of tried to do that here so i think um i haven't pumped the brakes but but"

They’re referencing an internal number they track to measure how productive things are. It sounds like they hit a big productivity milestone before, then didn’t repeat it for a while.

Concept

internet lead

"...every opportunity comes in every internet lead comes in that we do our best job and really let the market you know grow with us..."

An “internet lead” is someone who reaches out to the dealership online—like filling out a form or clicking an ad. The dealership then tries to turn that online inquiry into a real sales appointment or sale.

Concept

year over year

"...a lot of these stores are down on the market uh year over year used cars are pretty..."

“Year over year” means comparing today’s numbers to the same time last year. Here, they’re talking about how used-car trends are moving compared to last year.

Concept

market share

"...if we're not nervous and we're just sticking to our process as those markets grows great you know we'll be we'll pick up that mark share because our process is great..."

Market share is basically “how much of the business” you get compared to other dealerships. They’re saying their method should help them sell more as the market gets better.

Concept

stock deal principle

"...just stick to the process trust it um kind of the stock deal principle uh is really what we're focusing on here..."

This sounds like a “keep your inventory and process under control” approach. The idea is to sell used cars in a consistent way instead of improvising, so results hold up even when the market is shaky.

Brand

Murdoch CDJR

"well phil operating partner murdoch cdjr we appreciate you coming back on the show for an update..."

“Murdoch CDJR” is the name of the dealership being discussed. CDJR is shorthand for the automaker brands they sell (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram).

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