{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Episode 5 - From Outside the Industry to Disrupting It: The EVAuto Story w/ Alex Lawrence","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/episode-5-from-outside-the-industry-to-disrupting-it-the-evauto-story-w-alex-lawrence","audioUrl":"https://www.buzzsprout.com/2556081/episodes/18582267-episode-5-from-outside-the-industry-to-disrupting-it-the-evauto-story-w-alex-lawrence.mp3","description":"Welcome to The Doug Horner Show, an original series spotlighting timely, relevant dialogue across customer experience, agent performance, dealership culture, and innovation in retail automotive. Hosted by Doug Horner, General Sales Manager at Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted and a rising voice in automotive social media, this new podcast brings a transparent, high-energy perspective to dealership operations, leadership, and digital engagement. Known online as @BenzsandBowties, he has amassed 500K+ followers and 25MM+ viewers monthly across his channels where he often blends humor into content resonating with agents, operators, and customers alike with authenticity and real-world dealership insights. \"We all are consuming social media all day long every day,” Horner shared in a recent Car Dealership Guy interview. “If everyone is doing this all day long, then that's where we need to be.” The Doug Horner Show dives into what drives dealership success today through candid conversations with respected industry leaders, performance coaches and digital creators shaping modern automotive culture. Episode 5 - I sit down with Alex Lawrence, a college professor in Utah turned EV only car dealer. Alex his years experience on the OTHER side of buying a car, flipped it on its head, and has now scaled an independent dealership that specializes in EV's by doing everything opposite of traditional car dealerships.About Doug HornerDoug Horner is General Sales Manager at luxury dealership, Mercedes-Benz North Olmsted, and the creator of @BenzsandBowties, a brand centered on real dealership culture and leadership perspective, and the joy of the work, as an auto industry influencer.About CallRevu CallRevu is the leading communication intelligence platform built for automotive retail—empowering dealerships to take control of every conversation, from the first ring to the final result. Our holistic solution combines an automotive-specific hosted phone system, call monitoring, performance training, and reputation management­–fueled by AI-powered analytics that turn every customer interaction into actional intelligence. Founded in a dealership in 2008, CallRevu was created by the industry, for the industry to drive revenue, improve performance, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Learn more at www.CallRevu.com"},"annotations":[{"startTime":146.7,"endTime":152.4,"type":"company","title":"EV Auto","url":"/glossary/ev-auto","quote":"...what were you doing before EV Auto, and where did you get the idea that I'm going to start a car dealership?","canonicalId":"company:ev-auto","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"EV Auto is a car dealership that the speaker founded, indicating a shift in their career towards the automotive industry.","simplifiedExplanation":"EV Auto is the name of a car dealership started by the speaker, showing their transition into the car business."}},{"startTime":561.2,"endTime":568.3,"type":"term","title":"DMS","url":"/glossary/dms","quote":"...I got signed up for our vanheim and central dispatch and a DMS and all these things, learning the vocabulary...","canonicalId":"term:dms","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"DMS stands for Dealer Management System, which is software used by car dealerships to manage their operations, including sales, inventory, and customer relationships.","simplifiedExplanation":"A DMS is a type of software that helps car dealerships keep track of their cars, sales, and customers. It's like a digital assistant for the dealership."}},{"startTime":578.2,"endTime":589.1,"type":"term","title":"EV","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"...And so my 2020 sales for EV, what is now EV Auto was one car, you know, $68,000...","canonicalId":"term:ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"EV stands for Electric Vehicle, which refers to cars that are powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel fuel.","simplifiedExplanation":"An EV is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gas. This makes them better for the environment because they don't produce exhaust fumes."}},{"startTime":578.2,"endTime":589.1,"type":"car","title":"Tesla","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/15-05-23-Berlin-Sachsendamm-Tesla-RalfR-N3S_7354.jpg","quote":"...I'll never forget, I bought my first Tesla five years ago last month. And so my 2020 sales for EV, what is now EV Auto was one car, you know, $68,000...","canonicalId":"car:tesla","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its innovative technology and high-performance electric cars. The brand has gained popularity for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge features.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tesla is a company that makes electric cars. They are known for being very advanced and environmentally friendly, using electricity instead of gasoline.","imageAttribution":"Ralf Roletschek (GFDL 1.2)"}},{"startTime":845.8,"endTime":852.1,"type":"term","title":"out-the-door price","url":"/glossary/out-the-door-price","quote":"...you want an out-the-door price, great, you can call us, text us, email us, we'll give it to you in like three minutes...","canonicalId":"term:out-the-door-price","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The out-the-door price (OTD) is the total cost of purchasing a vehicle, including the sales price, taxes, registration fees, and any additional dealer fees. It represents the final amount a buyer will pay to drive the car off the lot.","simplifiedExplanation":"Out-the-door price is how much you pay in total when buying a car. It includes everything like taxes and fees, so you know the final cost before you buy."}},{"startTime":862.1,"endTime":865.6,"type":"term","title":"registration fees","url":"/glossary/registration-fees","quote":"...everything else is sales tax license registration and the sales price...","canonicalId":"term:registration-fees","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Registration fees are charges imposed by the government to register a vehicle for use on public roads. This fee is necessary to obtain a license plate and ensure that the vehicle is legally recognized by the state.","simplifiedExplanation":"Registration fees are the costs you pay to officially register your car with the government. 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It's a percentage of the car's price that goes to the government."}},{"startTime":1468.4,"endTime":1470.0,"type":"brand","title":"Mercedes-Benz","url":"/glossary/mercedes-benz-2da6bee1-2c59-4e63-8ca8-f0d3c6600182","quote":"...the first GM that I had at Mercedes-Benz of Easton way back when this is in 2010 was Brian Kramer...","canonicalId":"brand:mercedes-benz-2da6bee1-2c59-4e63-8ca8-f0d3c6600182","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. It is one of the most recognized and prestigious car manufacturers in the world.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mercedes-Benz is a famous car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars and trucks. They are known for their high-quality vehicles and innovative technology."}},{"startTime":1470.0,"endTime":1475.0,"type":"concept","title":"general manager (GM)","url":"/glossary/general-manager-gm","quote":"...the first GM that I had at Mercedes-Benz of Easton way back when this is in 2010 was Brian Kramer...","canonicalId":"concept:general-manager-gm","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A general manager (GM) in the automotive industry oversees the operations of a dealership, including sales, service, and staff management. They play a crucial role in the success of the dealership.","simplifiedExplanation":"A general manager, or GM, is the person in charge of running a car dealership. They make sure everything is working well, from selling cars to helping customers."}},{"startTime":1662.0,"endTime":1663.5,"type":"car","title":"Cybertruck","url":"/cars/tesla/cybertruck","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/2024_Tesla_Cybertruck_Foundation_Series_IMG_0576.jpg","quote":"we've got a couple of cyber trucks and trailers that are in different states that are doing mobile EV service...","canonicalId":"car:tesla:cybertruck","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric pickup truck known for its distinctive angular design and durable exoskeleton. It aims to combine utility with advanced technology, including features like autopilot capabilities.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Cybertruck is a new electric truck from Tesla that looks very different from regular trucks. It’s made of strong materials and has cool tech features.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1665.0,"endTime":1669.0,"type":"term","title":"mobile EV service","url":"/glossary/mobile-ev-service","quote":"we've got a couple of cyber trucks and trailers that are in different states that are doing mobile EV service as kind of an experiment...","canonicalId":"term:mobile-ev-service","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Mobile EV service refers to the practice of providing electric vehicle maintenance and repair services at various locations rather than at a fixed dealership. This approach can enhance convenience for EV owners.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mobile EV service means that technicians come to you to fix or maintain electric cars instead of you having to go to a shop. It makes it easier for people who own electric vehicles."}},{"startTime":1776.36,"endTime":1782.84,"type":"car","title":"Ford F150","url":"/cars/ford/f-150","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/2022_Ford_F-150_Lightning_Rear.jpg","quote":"...I want to get a Ford F-150. I'm going to go to that one that I saw off of 33rd South...","canonicalId":"car:ford:f-150","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck that has been one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States for decades. It's known for its durability, towing capacity, and versatility.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck that many people use for work and personal use. 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They usually have different types of electric vehicles available for customers."}},{"startTime":2609.5,"endTime":2614.1,"type":"car","title":"G-Class","url":"/cars/mercedes-benz/g-class","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/MERCEDES-BENZ_G-CLASS_%28W463%29_China.jpg","quote":"...you guys like the number one G-Wagon dealer in America or something like that? I mean, we're top 10, but for us, that's a big accomplishment being in Ohio.","canonicalId":"car:mercedes-benz:g-class","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, often referred to as the G-Wagon, is a luxury SUV known for its rugged design and off-road capabilities. It has a strong following and is often seen as a status symbol.","simplifiedExplanation":"The G-Class, or G-Wagon, is a fancy SUV made by Mercedes-Benz. It's popular for its tough look and ability to drive off-road, making it a favorite among many people.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2630.0,"endTime":2631.2,"type":"term","title":"mark up","url":"/glossary/markup","quote":"...you don't gouge among cars. You don't mark them up, you know, but, you know, so it's both...","canonicalId":"term:markup","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Marking up refers to the practice of increasing the price of a vehicle above its manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). This is often done by dealerships to increase profits, especially for in-demand models.","simplifiedExplanation":"Marking up is when a dealership raises the price of a car above what the manufacturer suggests it should cost. This can happen when a car is very popular."}},{"startTime":3220.4,"endTime":3221.4,"type":"term","title":"used EV tax credit","url":"/glossary/used-ev-tax-credit","quote":"...the used EV tax credit was a massive boost to my business...","canonicalId":"term:used-ev-tax-credit","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The used EV tax credit is a financial incentive provided by the government to encourage the purchase of used electric vehicles. This credit can significantly lower the overall cost of acquiring a used EV, making them more accessible to consumers.","simplifiedExplanation":"A used EV tax credit is money the government gives back to you when you buy a used electric car. 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They usually have the newest features and come with a warranty."}},{"startTime":3378.7,"endTime":3385.9,"type":"car","title":"Ford Lightning","url":"/cars/ford/f-150-lightning","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/2022_Ford_F-150_Lightning_Rear.jpg","quote":"...but yeah, Ford Lightning is getting canceled. That was surprising to me that they just canceled them. Because the Lightning is a good truck. It's a good, it's an F-150...","canonicalId":"car:ford:f-150-lightning","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Lightning is an electric variant of the popular F-150 pickup truck, known for its performance and utility. It combines the traditional capabilities of a truck with electric power, making it appealing for both work and daily use.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford Lightning is an electric version of the F-150 truck. It's designed for people who need a truck but want to use electricity instead of gasoline, which can be better for the environment.","imageAttribution":"UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":3415.7,"endTime":3420.8,"type":"term","title":"battery range","url":"/glossary/battery-range","quote":"...drive around town and it's like, yeah, the 300 mile battery is plenty for you. And so, I mean, I was surprised that they just cut it...","canonicalId":"term:battery-range","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Battery range refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge. For many users, a range of around 300 miles is sufficient for daily driving and light hauling tasks.","simplifiedExplanation":"Battery range is how far an electric car can go before it needs to be charged again. A range of 300 miles means you can drive that far without needing to plug it in."}},{"startTime":3439.64,"endTime":3445.42,"type":"car","title":"Rivian R2","url":"/cars/rivian/r2","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Rivian_R2.jpg","quote":"...like I think the Rivian R2 is going to be a big success. I think that's going to be a really popular car...","canonicalId":"car:rivian:r2","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Rivian R2 is an upcoming electric vehicle from Rivian, a company known for its electric trucks and SUVs. It is expected to be a more affordable option in the electric vehicle market, appealing to a broader audience.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Rivian R2 is a new electric car that will likely be cheaper than other electric vehicles. 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You can charge it at home and drive it using just electricity for short trips."}},{"startTime":3470.0,"endTime":3476.5,"type":"term","title":"supercharging","url":"/glossary/supercharging","quote":"...they have a trillion dollar lead in supercharging and self-driving...","canonicalId":"term:supercharging","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Supercharging refers to Tesla's fast-charging network that allows Tesla owners to quickly charge their vehicles, significantly reducing downtime during long trips. This infrastructure is a key advantage for Tesla in the electric vehicle market.","simplifiedExplanation":"Supercharging is a fast way to charge Tesla cars so that drivers can quickly get back on the road. 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