Inside the Culture Shift Powering Paradise Chevrolet: From People to Profit — and What’s Next | Katelyn Gilmore, General Manager of Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac
About this episode
Katelyn Gilmore, the dynamic general manager of Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac, shares insights on fostering a people-driven culture that has led her dealership to win Dealer of the Year for 11 consecutive years. She discusses the importance of proactive EV planning, community involvement, and employee recognition initiatives. Katelyn emphasizes the need for agility in the evolving automotive landscape, especially with the shift towards electric vehicles, and outlines her goals for enhancing dealership operations and employee engagement. Her journey from reluctant employee to passionate leader offers a fresh perspective on dealership success.
Cadillac
"So the travel I was talking about is I am lucky to be part of a Cadillac Champions group."
Cadillac is a brand that makes luxury cars. They are known for their high-quality vehicles and advanced features.
Cadillac is a luxury vehicle division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM). Known for its premium cars and innovative technology, Cadillac has a long history in the automotive industry.
Cadillac Celestiq
"...the energy plant or manufacturing or the celestic, for example, is a big one with Cadillac right now..."
The Cadillac Celestiq is a new electric car from Cadillac. It's a luxury sedan that has a lot of high-tech features and can be customized to the buyer's preferences.
The Cadillac Celestiq is an all-electric luxury sedan that represents Cadillac's push into the electric vehicle market. It features advanced technology and a focus on customization.
Chevrolet
"...Sunrise Chevy. Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac."
Chevrolet, or Chevy, is a popular car brand that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks. It's part of General Motors.
Chevrolet, commonly referred to as Chevy, is a division of General Motors that produces a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to trucks. It is one of the best-selling car brands in the United States.
fleet sales
"...20% of the 250 new retail units we do or the new units we do come from fleet. We're big fleet dealers."
Fleet sales are when a company buys many cars at once, usually for business use. It's different from regular car sales where one person buys one car.
Fleet sales refer to the sale of multiple vehicles to a single buyer, typically businesses or government agencies that require a large number of vehicles for their operations. This can include cars, trucks, and vans.
Chevy
"...So, top 10 for retail volume for Chevy. We're in a really great market..."
Chevy is a popular car brand in the United States that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks.
Chevy, short for Chevrolet, is an American automobile brand known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from trucks to sedans. It is part of General Motors and has a significant presence in the automotive market.
EVs
"...what's on my mind is definitely the EVs with subsidies going..."
EVs are cars that run on electricity instead of traditional fuels like gas. They are better for the environment and are becoming more common.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and advancements in battery technology.
EV
"...the coveted registrations that it seems that everyone wants is these 30% of EVs. And with government assistance gone..."
EV means Electric Vehicle, which is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They are better for the environment because they produce less pollution.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, which is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity. EVs are known for being more environmentally friendly compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
OEM
"...that responsibility, in my opinion, largely falls on the OEM. So, we need consistent programs and real support..."
OEM means the original company that made the car or its parts. For example, if you buy a Ford car, Ford is the OEM.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to the company that produces the original parts or vehicles. In the automotive context, it typically refers to the car manufacturers themselves, such as Ford or Toyota.
CPO
"...so we can then replenish our CPO EV inventory. Because to me, that's what creates a healthy cycle..."
CPO means Certified Pre-Owned, which is a used car that has been checked and approved by the manufacturer. It usually comes with a warranty, making it a safer choice.
CPO stands for Certified Pre-Owned, which refers to used vehicles that have been inspected, refurbished, and certified by the manufacturer or dealer. They often come with a warranty and are considered a more reliable option than regular used cars.
government subsidies
"...especially with government subsidies going away. I mean, it's early October now..."
Government subsidies are money the government gives to help people buy things, like electric cars, making them cheaper.
Government subsidies are financial assistance programs provided by the government to help reduce the cost of certain goods or services. In the automotive industry, these often support electric vehicles to promote cleaner energy use.
tax credit
"...given that the tax credit has gone away, and the situation we're in right now?"
A tax credit is money you can take off your taxes, which means you pay less. For electric cars, the government sometimes gives you money back to encourage you to buy them.
A tax credit is an amount of money that taxpayers can subtract directly from the taxes they owe to the government. In the automotive industry, tax credits are often provided for electric vehicle purchases to encourage adoption.
marketing
"...because of all the marketing that's gone up until this point..."
Marketing is how companies try to get people to buy their products. For cars, this could be ads on TV or online that show off new models.
Marketing refers to the activities a company undertakes to promote the buying, selling, and use of its products or services. In the automotive industry, this can include advertising campaigns, promotions, and public relations efforts to attract customers.
RSI compliant
"...because we need to remain RSI compliant. So, I think for us, it's going to be agile with pricing..."
RSI compliance means following the rules and laws that car dealerships have to obey. This is important to make sure they treat customers fairly and sell cars legally.
RSI compliance refers to adhering to regulations and standards set for automotive sales and service practices. This ensures that dealerships operate within legal and ethical guidelines, which can affect pricing and customer interactions.
lease offer
"...even if we do have an aggressive lease offer or a one-pay on an EV, hopefully we don't always have to pay for..."
A lease offer is a deal where you can drive a car for a few years by paying a monthly fee. At the end, you can either buy the car or give it back.
A lease offer is a proposal from a dealership that allows a customer to use a vehicle for a specified period while making monthly payments. At the end of the lease, the customer typically has the option to purchase the vehicle or return it.
Cadillac IQ
"...How are the IQ sales Cadillac IQ? I'm curious. Those are the worst. Definitely..."
The Cadillac IQ is an electric car made by Cadillac. It's designed to be a luxury vehicle that runs on electricity instead of gasoline.
The Cadillac IQ is an electric vehicle that represents Cadillac's entry into the luxury electric market. It aims to compete with other high-end electric vehicles by offering advanced technology and luxury features.
annual income
"...you figure a $150,000 car predicates a pretty robust annual income for a buyer..."
Annual income is the amount of money someone makes in a year. It's important for understanding what kind of expensive things a person can afford, like luxury cars.
Annual income refers to the total earnings a person receives in a year, which is a key factor in determining their purchasing power, especially for high-ticket items like luxury vehicles.
$150,000 car
"...you figure a $150,000 car predicates a pretty robust annual income for a buyer..."
A $150,000 car is an expensive vehicle that usually has a lot of luxury features and high performance. It's not something most people buy every day.
A $150,000 car refers to a vehicle that costs that amount of money, indicating it is a high-end luxury model. Such cars typically come with premium features and performance capabilities.
residuals
"...there might be some price adjustments in the future too, because when you look at residuals and what they're doing..."
Residuals are how much a car is expected to be worth after a few years. This helps people understand how much they might pay if they lease a car.
Residuals refer to the estimated value of a vehicle at the end of a lease or after a certain period of ownership. They are important for determining lease payments and resale value.
Cadillac Lyric
"...the Optic and Lyric are really good movers for Cadillac."
The Cadillac Lyric is a new electric SUV from Cadillac. It's designed for luxury and has modern features, making it appealing to wealthy customers.
The Cadillac Lyric is an all-electric luxury SUV that represents Cadillac's entry into the electric vehicle market. It features a sleek design and advanced technology aimed at affluent buyers.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.