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Rowley/Horowitz on Fullpath Sale, Boice on Price Consistency, Almeida on Fixed | Daily Dealer Live

Rowley/Horowitz on Fullpath Sale, Boice on Price Consistency, Almeida on Fixed | Daily Dealer Live

Car Dealership Guy Podcast Apr 27, 2026 61 min
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About this episode

Big dealership-tech news leads the show as Cox Automotive’s Steve Rowley and Fullpath’s Aaron Horowitz explain why the acquisition makes sense: stronger first-party data, AI-first CDP capabilities, and faster innovation for dealers. Team Velocity’s David Boyce then breaks down FTC pricing compliance, warning that many stores are still inconsistent across banners, SRPs, VDPs, digital retailing tools, and third-party ads. The episode closes with Colonial Ford of Plymouth GM Ron Almeida on trade appraisals, fixed ops, recall handling, mobile service, and the culture behind his store’s Super Duty success.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

return on investment

"It doesn't do those three things then it's on the chopping block. It's in return on investment discussion."

ROI is a simple way to ask: “Did this cost end up being worth it?” If you spend money and get more customers or profit back, that’s a good ROI.

Topic

NASCAR

"Hey, did you watch NASCAR yesterday? Yesterday, at Talladega, Carson Hosevar drove the number 77 Chevrolet DeVictory Lane in Ricky Bobby style."

NASCAR is a popular U.S. auto racing series where drivers race cars on oval tracks. In this segment, they’re just talking about a recent race result.

Car

Chevrolet 77 Chevrolet

"...ay, at Talladega, Carson Hosevar drove the number 77 Chevrolet DeVictory Lane in Ricky Bobby style."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car made by Chevrolet. It’s designed for fast driving and is often talked about in racing because it’s built to perform. If it’s mentioned in a podcast, it’s usually because it’s a well-known car in motorsports.

Concept

Talladega

"Yesterday, at Talladega, Carson Hosevar drove the number 77 Chevrolet DeVictory Lane in Ricky Bobby style. Nobody has ever seen anything quite like this."

Talladega is a big NASCAR track where cars run very fast and race in tight groups. That’s why finishes can be extremely close.

Company

Cox Automotive is acquiring full path

"First, maybe the biggest dealership tech announcement of the year. [132.2s] Cox Automotive is acquiring full path. [134.4s] Steve Rowley, Aaron Horowitz, they join us together today."

Cox Automotive acquiring Fullpath is a dealership-technology consolidation move that can affect how dealers manage online retailing, lead handling, and pricing/offer workflows. For listeners, the important part is how such acquisitions can change vendor roadmaps, integrations, and support for dealer operations.

Concept

FTC Compliance Wave

"Then up today, David Boyce, CEO of Team Vlocity on the FTC Compliance Wave. [148.3s] 97 dealer groups have already received letters, as we know and have talked much about."

This is the FTC cracking down more on how companies advertise and sell cars. Dealers may need to change their listings and pricing messages so they don’t accidentally mislead shoppers.

Company

Team Vlocity

"Then up today, David Boyce, CEO of Team Vlocity on the FTC Compliance Wave. [148.3s] 97 dealer groups have already received letters, as we know and have talked much about."

Team Vlocity is referenced as the organization David Boyce leads, and it’s tied to the discussion of FTC compliance and dealer pricing/advertising practices. In this context, it signals a software/solutions provider angle rather than a racing team or consumer brand.

Concept

three different prices on the same car

"And David's making the case that most of us have three different prices on the same car [158.1s] on our own website right now. [160.1s] And we don't even know it."

Sometimes the same car ends up with different prices depending on where you look. The concern is shoppers don’t always know why the price changes, which can cause confusion.

Concept

retention

"And behind that ranking, trade appraisals, big stops, retention and the culture that [180.7s] makes it all run."

Retention in a dealership context means keeping customers coming back for service, parts, and future purchases rather than losing them after the first sale. It’s often tied to CRM follow-up, service scheduling, and customer experience consistency.

Concept

trade appraisals

"And behind that ranking, trade appraisals, big stops, retention and the culture that [180.7s] makes it all run."

A trade appraisal is what the dealer offers for your current car when you trade it in. That number can change the total price you pay for the new vehicle.

Concept

big stops

"And behind that ranking, trade appraisals, big stops, retention and the culture that [180.7s] makes it all run."

“Big stops” sounds like a dealership’s important checkpoints during the sales process. It likely means the moments where the team needs to do the right thing to move the deal forward.

Term

used vehicle prices jumped 2.8%

"Get this, used vehicle prices jumped 2.8% in April. That's about an $800 average increase and one of the largest monthly gains since Car Facts launched its index in 2023."

They’re saying the average price of used cars went up by about 2.8% in a month. That can make used cars cost more and can also change what dealers are willing to pay for trade-ins.

Company

Car Facts launched its index

"That's about an $800 average increase and one of the largest monthly gains since Car Facts launched its index in 2023."

They mention a company that tracks used-car prices with an index. An index is basically a consistent scoreboard for how prices are moving over time.

Concept

depreciation performance

"The silver lining for dealers is that stronger depreciation performance is lifting trade-in values and if values hold, that improves trade-in dynamics and offers more to work with on the sourcing side."

Depreciation performance describes how quickly a vehicle loses value over time. If depreciation slows (or reverses), it usually means the market is supporting higher used prices, which can raise trade-in values and reduce the risk for dealers holding inventory.

Concept

trade-in values

"The silver lining for dealers is that stronger depreciation performance is lifting trade-in values and if values hold, that improves trade-in dynamics and offers more to work with on the sourcing side."

Trade-in value is how much the dealer says your current car is worth. If used cars are getting more expensive, your trade-in often becomes worth more as well, which can help your next purchase deal.

Company

recurrence, 2026 EV market and trends report

"Next up today, some interesting data out of recurrence, 2026 EV market and trends report. Data is showing that the average EV retains 97% of its range after three years and 95% after five."

The hosts cite a “2026 EV market and trends report” from Recurrence as the source of EV range-retention data. For listeners, the key takeaway is that the numbers are coming from a specific research/reporting effort rather than a casual observation.

Concept

average EV retains 97% of its range after three years

"Next up today, some interesting data out of recurrence, 2026 EV market and trends report. Data is showing that the average EV retains 97% of its range after three years and 95% after five."

This refers to EV range retention, meaning how much usable driving range remains after battery aging over time. Higher retention (like 97% after three years) suggests slower battery degradation than many buyers expect, which can improve long-term ownership confidence.

Brand

Rivian

"Back to the news, more specifically, five brands Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes and Rivian showed no apparent range loss over five years in the data set."

Rivian makes electric vehicles. In this segment, it’s mentioned because the hosts are discussing whether EV range drops as cars get older.

Brand

Hyundai

"Back to the news, more specifically, five brands Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes and Rivian showed no apparent range loss over five years in the data set."

Hyundai is a global automaker with a growing EV lineup. In this segment, Hyundai is referenced in the context of used EV range retention over a five-year period.

Brand

Cadillac

"Back to the news, more specifically, five brands Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes and Rivian showed no apparent range loss over five years in the data set."

Cadillac is a luxury car brand. Here it’s mentioned because the hosts are talking about how well EV range stays consistent over the years for used EVs.

Concept

used EV conversation

"For dealers having the used EV conversation, range retention data like this is probably worth weaving in where possible."

This is about how dealers talk to customers when selling used electric cars. The goal is to answer the common worry that the battery will make the car lose range too fast.

Term

tariff refund story

"Now, closing out with a follow-up on the tariff refund story we covered last week... That tariff refund process is just fascinating to me."

This is about government tariff refunds—money that gets returned after tariffs are collected. The hosts are saying it probably won’t instantly make cars cheaper at the dealership, but it could change how automakers spend money on incentives.

Term

CAPE portal

"Now that the CAPE portal, CAPE portal is live and the $166 billion refund process is underway, CDG News spoke with a partner at Arthur D. Little about what it actually means for dealers on the ground."

The “CAPE portal” sounds like the website/process where the tariff refund paperwork is handled. The hosts mention it being live so dealers understand when the money might start moving.

Company

Arthur D. Little

"...the $166 billion refund process is underway, CDG News spoke with a partner at Arthur D. Little about what it actually means for dealers on the ground."

Arthur D. Little is a consulting company. Here, they’re quoted to help explain what the tariff refund process could mean for car dealers in real life.

Term

incentive spending

"The more probable outcome is that OEMs use refund proceeds to increase incentive spending rather than cutting MSRPs..."

Incentive spending is money automakers put toward deals, like rebates or special financing offers. The hosts are saying that’s more likely than simply lowering the sticker price.

Term

MSRPs

"The more probable outcome is that OEMs use refund proceeds to increase incentive spending rather than cutting MSRPs, which could modestly improve transaction dynamics..."

MSRP is the official price number on the car’s sticker. The hosts are saying automakers may not lower that sticker price right away, but they might offer discounts through incentives instead.

Concept

used car leasing

"Patrick Block ventures, comes in and says, let's get used car leasing off the ground to address affordability."

Used car leasing means you lease a previously owned car instead of buying it. It can help affordability because your monthly payment may be lower than financing a purchase.

Concept

EV education

"Maybe we'll do an episode on EV education and battery retention. That would be a fascinating topic. But let's go to our first topic today."

EV education just means helping people understand how electric cars work. For buyers, that usually includes things like charging and what happens to the battery over time.

Concept

auto industry is at an inflection point

"When we looked at this, you know, we said this is an unbelievable opportunity for us because I just think the auto industry is at an inflection point. You know, I spent 30 years in technology."

An inflection point is when the industry starts changing in a big way. The hosts are saying the auto business is entering a phase where new approaches—like tech and AI—matter more than before.

Concept

dealership-level efficiencies

"The one thing that this does is it's going to make a ton of efficiencies and probability at the dealership level."

Dealership-level efficiencies are improvements that reduce wasted time and effort inside the dealership—often by automating steps, streamlining workflows, or improving how leads and inventory are handled. The goal is typically lower operational cost and faster deal progression.

Concept

AI origination

"The last component, which was really a big driver for us is AI. And full path is all about AI, a genetic AI... they were, they're a native AI origination and really grew the business that way."

AI origination means using software that uses AI to start the sales process. It can help find the right customers and move them through the steps faster than doing everything by hand.

Concept

AI-first

"The great thing I love about them is their AI first. They were, they're a native AI origination and really grew the business that way."

AI-first means the company designed its system to use AI as the core of how it works. For dealerships, that usually helps automate parts of finding customers and moving deals forward.

Company

AutoTrader

"We've worked with them around KBB, around AutoTrader and in general have felt like they really have a similar vision as we do..."

AutoTrader is a website where car dealers post listings and buyers browse cars. It’s one of the big places dealers market vehicles online.

Company

KBB

"We've worked with them around KBB, around AutoTrader and in general have felt like they really have a similar vision as we do..."

KBB (Kelley Blue Book) is a famous site/resource that estimates what a car is worth. Dealers use it to help price cars and understand market value.

Concept

CDP

"And then when you think about like what a CDP needs, and maybe we'll talk a bit about later what that is, if you think about a CDP and an AI first CDP and one that's looking to, you know, build these, this infrastructure for agents to help do work for dealerships, data is really critical."

A CDP is software that gathers customer information in one place. The goal is to help dealers use that information better, and in this case they’re talking about using AI to support dealership agents.

Concept

AI engine

"...AutoTrader KBB data and the idea of being able to layer that in to our AI engine. I mean, it was just such an exciting vision of how we can impact, you know, so many dealerships."

An AI engine is the part of a system that uses smart computer models to learn from data. In this context, they’re talking about using dealership/customer data to make better decisions for marketing or sales. The goal is to help dealerships work more effectively.

Topic

NADA 2026

"But one thing I am curious about CDPs were a buzzword at NADA 2026. Like dealers came from all over the country to Las Vegas, Nevada to try to figure it out and adoption of CDPs is not high yet."

NADA is the National Automobile Dealers Association, which hosts an annual convention where dealers and vendors discuss retail trends and technology. Mentioning NADA 2026 frames CDPs as a current industry topic that was heavily discussed at the show.

Concept

cleansed data

"How many have have cleansed data, established a CDP, data lakes, all the things."

Cleansed data means cleaning up messy information. For example, it can remove duplicates and fix errors so the data is reliable. Dealerships do this before using the data for marketing tools or AI.

Concept

data activation

"...if it's sitting on data that is fragmented, disjointed, duplicative, then you're going to get poor results when it comes to actually activating."

Data activation means using the information you have about customers to actually do something—like sending the right messages or automating follow-ups. If the data is messy or duplicated, those actions won’t work well.

Term

CRM

"Every dealer knows that there's 16 records of someone in their in their CRM, their DMS and their email system..."

CRM is the dealership’s customer database system—where it tracks leads, customers, and interactions. The issue is that the same person can show up multiple times across different systems.

Term

DMS

"Every dealer knows that there's 16 records of someone in their in their CRM, their DMS and their email system and so on..."

DMS is the main software dealers use to run day-to-day operations (like managing inventory, service, and customer-related workflows). It can also store customer info in a way that doesn’t match other systems.

Concept

data silos

"...if it's sitting on data that is fragmented, disjointed, duplicative... then you're going to get poor results when it comes to actually activating... engage with all the different data silos that dealership has..."

Data silos are when customer information is trapped in different systems that don’t talk to each other. That makes it harder to use the data effectively for things like targeted marketing.

Concept

machine learning

"...build a lot of logic and complex logic, including functions that can be done by AI and machine learning to pull all that data into one clean data layer..."

Machine learning is a way for software to learn from data patterns. Here, it’s referenced as helping the system clean up and connect dealership customer information so it can be used better.

Concept

golden record

"...pull all that data into one clean data layer and then enable that clean data layer, right? That kind of golden record to be the fundamental substrate of the outbound marketing and engagement..."

A golden record is the dealership’s “one true profile” for a customer. Instead of having multiple conflicting entries, it creates one clean version that teams can trust.

Concept

data is really the fuel

"And there, by the way, data is really the fuel, right? [840.8s] You got to have the data, organize the data and then leverage it for [845.0s] all sorts of functions."

They’re saying data is what powers the business. If you collect it and organize it, you can use it to make better decisions and run things more effectively.

Concept

customer data platform

"It's not easy building a CDP. [876.5s] That's why you don't see a lot of them because, you know, [879.3s] Aaron's a humble guy and he's built an unbelievable team and culture."

A customer data platform is a tool that combines customer details from multiple systems into one place. Instead of building it from scratch, the discussion is about buying a solution that already exists.

Concept

Integration

"The other thing is, is he's done these incredible, difficult things. [899.2s] Integration, he's got multiple integrations out there. [902.0s] They're really special."

Integration means getting different computer systems to “talk” to each other. For dealerships, that can help leads and customer info move correctly between tools instead of being handled manually.

Concept

single actionable profile

"So it really creates this, you know, single actionable profile, AI driven campaigns for marketing, and it does more personalization and efficiencies than I've ever seen anything do."

They’re describing a system that combines customer information into one place. That makes it easier for the dealership to know what to do next with each lead.

Concept

AI driven campaigns

"So it really creates this, you know, single actionable profile, AI driven campaigns for marketing, and it does more personalization and efficiencies than I've ever seen anything do."

They’re talking about using AI to help a dealership market to the right people. Instead of sending the same message to everyone, the system can tailor campaigns based on what it knows about each customer.

Concept

acquisition

"So that really became, we've got to make an acquisition here because we've got the perfect, we've got the perfect scenario... But I will tell you that that's one of the secret ingredients we purchased."

The hosts discuss making an acquisition to capture a “perfect scenario” and preserve innovation. In dealership/auto-industry software, acquisitions often aim to add capabilities quickly, but integration can threaten agility if not managed well.

Concept

full path coming together

"What should dealers be excited about when they think about full path coming together with Cox in this way?"

They’re talking about connecting the whole customer experience, from the first contact to the final sale. When the steps are connected, it’s easier to keep information consistent and follow up at the right time.

Concept

customer record

"But there's a lot of really exciting potential when it comes to completing that customer record. There's a lot of really exciting potential when it comes to thinking about how to close loops around automation and engagement."

A “customer record” is basically a dealership’s complete file on a shopper. If it’s filled in correctly, the dealership can follow up better and automate parts of the process.

Concept

automation and engagement

"There's a lot of really exciting potential when it comes to thinking about how to close loops around automation and engagement."

They mean using tools to automate the routine parts of selling, like sending messages or updating info. But the goal is still to keep customers actively involved, not just spammed.

Concept

agents and a gentic AI in your dealership

"... how to build efficiency and use agents and a gentic AI in your dealership."

The segment mentions using “agents” and “genetic AI” (likely referring to generative AI) in a dealership. In practice, AI agents can assist with tasks like responding to inquiries, summarizing customer interactions, and helping staff execute workflows faster.

Concept

deal is expected to close in 30 days

"The deal is expected to close in 30 days. So I know that you're very limited in what you can talk about the nature of the deal."

They’re saying the business deal should be finalized in about a month. Before that happens, the companies usually can’t share all the details yet.

Concept

data lakes

"We talk a lot on this show about these CDPs, data lakes, cleansing data. Dealers are engaged in this process right now."

A data lake is a large storage system that holds raw data in its original form, often from many different sources. Dealers may use data lakes to centralize marketing, sales, and customer data so it can be analyzed later. In this segment, it’s mentioned alongside data cleansing as part of building a usable data strategy.

Concept

cleansing data

"We talk a lot on this show about these CDPs, data lakes, cleansing data. Dealers are engaged in this process right now."

Data cleansing is the process of correcting or removing inaccurate, duplicate, or incomplete records so analytics and marketing tools work properly. For dealerships, messy data can lead to mis-targeted campaigns, broken lead attribution, and unreliable reporting. The hosts frame it as a necessary step when building a data strategy.

Concept

data strategy

"Yeah, I actually don't think it has anything to do with this deal. I think that every dealer, whoever they choose, right, needs to just think about data strategy."

A data strategy is the plan for how a dealer will manage customer information and use it to make better decisions. It’s not just buying software—it’s figuring out what data you need and how you’ll keep it accurate. The point here is that dealers should focus on the plan first.

Concept

offline to online transition

"I mean, think about that transition from offline to online. When there were dealers who did not have inventory online, they fell behind the dealers that did."

They’re talking about how car dealers used to rely on things like phone calls and ads, but now customers expect to shop on the internet. If a dealer doesn’t put inventory and prices online, they lose customers to dealers who do.

Term

pricing online

"Those that did not have pricing online, they fell behind. So there's this moment right now that you can see in a sense manifesting in a deal like this"

It means the dealer shows prices on the internet instead of making you ask for a quote. When prices are easy to find, shoppers don’t waste time and are more likely to follow through.

Concept

layer the AI on it

"How do I get my data house in order so that I can layer the AI on it and really activate and fly? And I hear what you're saying, but I think there is concern among dealers."

They mean using AI as an add-on that helps with dealer work, but only after the dealer’s information and systems are set up correctly. If the foundation is wrong, the AI won’t help much.

Term

vendor solutions

"Yeah, because there are so many different vendor solutions out there. I chat GPT before coming on to today's show. There's probably 10 different providers that provide a similar strategy."

They’re talking about different companies selling software to help dealers run their business. If you pick the wrong mix, you might have to redo the setup later.

Concept

deal closes in 30 days

"Actually, once this deal closes in 30 days, will you come back here first? And we'd love to ask you all the questions that we have left about integrations and strategy"

They’re talking about a transaction that should be finalized soon. Once it’s official, they can start planning the next steps.

Concept

first party data

"[1354.3s] But we're one of the few folks out there with so much first party data."

First-party data is information the company collects itself from its own customers. Because it comes from direct interactions, it’s usually more accurate for marketing and sales decisions.

Concept

garbage in, garbage out

"[1359.1s] And it's garbage in, garbage out and making sure you've got the right data."

It’s a simple idea: if the information you put in is wrong or messy, the results you get out will also be wrong. So dealerships have to clean up and verify their data before using it for decisions.

Concept

proprietary data

"[1363.3s] And then so many dealers have their own proprietary data."

Proprietary data is data a company has that it controls and uses in its own systems. It can help performance, but it may not plug into other tools as easily unless there’s integration.

Car

Audi S3

"... Cox Automotive plus Mannheim equals Hart. Three S3 SMM says, with my previous experience across seve..."

The Audi S3 is a small hatchback made by Audi that’s tuned for quicker, more exciting driving than the regular model. It’s still meant to be practical for daily use, but it has more performance. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as a specific model within that broader topic.

Company

Hart

"[1407.7s] Igor K comes in says Cox Automotive plus Mannheim equals Hart."

“Hart” is mentioned as part of a short comment, but the episode segment doesn’t explain what Hart is. So listeners may need to look up the reference or wait for a clearer explanation later.

Company

Zurich

"So all right, let's talk Zurich. Today's episode is brought to you by Zurich. If you're a dealer and have ever wondered whether your profit participation program could be performing better, Zurich offers a no obligation profit participation checkup."

Zurich is an insurance company. They sponsor the show and talk about how insurance programs can affect how well dealerships do financially.

Concept

profit participation program

"If you're a dealer and have ever wondered whether your profit participation program could be performing better, Zurich offers a no obligation profit participation checkup. It's a simple pressure free way to get a clarity on your program structure, request your profit participation, check up at ZurichNA.com forward slash checkup."

A profit participation program is an arrangement where a dealer shares in profits tied to an insurance or risk-management program’s results. The episode frames it as something that can be tuned—its structure and “levers” can change how much profitability the dealer ultimately sees.

Concept

reinsurance

"I learned that one of the greatest strategies in reinsurance is simply involving your team, your GMs, your sales managers and others in it, seeing profitability, understanding the levers to push and pull will help defend profitability in 2026, which is huge in automotive reinsurance."

Reinsurance is insurance for insurance companies—insurers transfer part of their risk to other parties to stabilize losses. The segment frames reinsurance strategy as important for defending profitability in automotive-related insurance contexts.

Company

Team Velocity

"Well, my name is David Boyce. I'm the CEO and the co-founder of Team Velocity. We serve about 2,500, 3,000 dealerships today and growing quite fast."

Team Velocity is a company that helps car dealerships with software/technology. The guest says it’s already used by a lot of dealerships and keeps adding more over time.

Concept

build that technology into our platform versus buy it

"We decided to build that technology into our platform versus buy it. I think for those that have made that massive capital investment to see Cox step up to what appears to be a very large acquisition is a validation for I think the industry and not just for that one particular transaction."

This describes a strategic choice: developing technology in-house and integrating it into a platform rather than purchasing an existing solution. For dealership software, this can affect speed of iteration, customization, and long-term control of the product.

Concept

buy versus build

"So buy versus build, that was a question that came into the chat and the comments. You decided to build, you're smaller probably, and that may be played into it."

This is basically a question of whether to get something already made or create it yourself. Buying is usually faster, while building can give you more control over how it works.

Concept

one-stop shop platform

"And so for us, we are more of a one-stop shop type platform, and which I think will lead us into our conversation around the FTC."

A one-stop shop means dealerships can use one main system for several needs instead of juggling lots of different tools. The goal is simpler operations and better results because the pieces work together.

Concept

capital investment

"So for us, it was just a big capital investment, I would say easily north of $100 million for us. Yeah, so he's right."

Capital investment means spending a lot of money upfront to build or improve something. They’re saying it cost over $100 million to create the technology that helps dealerships.

Concept

plug right in

"I think full path is more of a not a one stop shop, but I think you could just plug right in and have a CDP."

They’re saying the software can be added quickly with less hassle. The idea is you don’t have to spend months setting everything up before it starts working.

Company

Apollo

"if you do business with team velocity, you get a CDP called Apollo. It's just part of it."

Apollo is the name of the customer data platform they say you can get through Team Velocity. It’s presented like a ready-to-use option rather than something you have to build over many months.

Concept

take six months or eight months

"And not have to go through like take six months or eight months and put a whole bunch of capital of their own capital into it."

They’re comparing a fast setup to a slow, expensive project. The point is that some solutions can be implemented in months instead of taking half a year or more.

Term

97-dealer groups got letters

"It's been something we've talked a lot about on this show. 97-dealer groups got letters."

The FTC (or related regulators) sent letters to many dealership groups. That’s a sign they want companies to double-check their practices to avoid problems.

Term

NADA webinar

"We listened to the NADA webinar. We added dock fee to all of our online advertised price, including our website."

NADA is an organization for car dealers. Their webinars are training sessions that help dealers learn what they’re allowed to say and how to advertise prices correctly.

Term

dock fee

"We added dock fee to all of our online advertised price, including our website. It's now part of the advertised price... At this point, I think everybody knows it's probably you have to include it and or display it."

A dock fee is an extra charge dealers add for moving the car to the dealership. The big point here is whether dealers show it in the price they advertise online or clearly tell you about it.

Concept

price consistency / online advertising compliance

"But what the FTC... was really going after is, whatever you're advertising the car for, you need to sell it for... you can go to a dealer's website... and then you look at the banner on the homepage and you're like, that's not compliant."

This is about making sure the price you see online is the price you’ll actually end up paying. It’s not enough to fix just one page—dealers have to make sure the whole website (like banners and listings) matches the real deal.

Term

VDP

"So most of your websites we go to today have a nice SRP, nice VDP. They're both disclosed."

VDP is the page on a dealer’s site where you see details about a specific car. They’re saying some dealers do the right thing on that page, but still get it wrong on other parts of the website.

Concept

digital retailing tool

"And then you go to the digital retailing tool and it's oftentimes different. It's presented different. The disclosures are different. The pricing is a little different."

A digital retailing tool is the website software that helps you build an offer—often showing prices and monthly payments. Here, the hosts are saying the online offer can look different depending on where the customer started (banner vs the tool).

Concept

disclosures

"It's presented different. The disclosures are different. The pricing is a little different."

Disclosures are the fine print that explains how the price/payment was calculated and what conditions apply. If the fine print changes between pages, it can make the deal feel inconsistent.

Concept

vehicle listing ads

"On the same website, forget vehicle listing ads, which now have payments included in them. Forget Google ads."

Vehicle listing ads are the online ads that show a specific car for sale, sometimes with a monthly payment estimate. The concern is that the ad’s info may not match the final pricing/offer the customer gets.

Concept

connected platform

"We saw, now we solve that through a connected platform. So with our dealers, when we change the website and the price of the website and the disclosures, it changes it everywhere instantly."

A connected platform is like one system that updates everything at once. So when you change a car’s price on your website, it automatically updates the other places customers can see it.

Company

Dockv

"So a useful cell phone, even above and beyond Dockv, which by the way, we have talked a lot about it..."

Dockv sounds like a software tool dealers use for their online setup. The hosts are saying there’s an even bigger change needed beyond that tool to keep pricing/disclosures consistent.

Concept

audit of where pricing shows up

"...you've really got to do a kind of an audit or a self-check of all the different places where your pricing shows up, including salespeople advertisements on Facebook and elsewhere."

They’re saying you should check every channel where you advertise cars to make sure the price is the same. Don’t just update your website—also check ads and other pages customers see.

Concept

multiple vendors feeding dealer website pricing

"So oftentimes, there are seven or eight vendors just involved in the dealer's website... And there's another seven or eight over there."

They’re saying dealer websites aren’t always one simple system—there can be several outside companies involved. If those systems don’t all match, the price you see online might not line up with what you hear in the store.

Concept

price consistency across mediums

"we need to sell the cars, what we're advertising them for, we should check that we're consistently advertising the vehicles at the same price across all the different mediums we advertise it... When the customers come in, they're just less friction."

They’re talking about keeping the price the same everywhere—online ads, the dealer website, and the listing pages. When the price matches, customers feel less confused and are more likely to move forward.

Concept

customer screenshots reduce friction

"When the customers come in, they're just less friction... And customers have screenshots. I saw this screenshot."

They’re saying customers often show up with screenshots of the price they saw online. If the dealer matches it, the whole process feels smoother and less like a surprise.

Concept

centralized control

"You need someone who's centralized who's saying, don't touch. We are compliant. We fix this area of the site."

Centralized control means one team or person manages updates, rather than everyone making changes. That helps keep the information consistent and correct.

Term

clear and conspicuous

"They have to look the same way. They have to be clear and conspicuous."

“Clear and conspicuous” means the important fine print should be easy to see and read. If it’s hidden or hard to notice, it can cause compliance problems.

Concept

compliance-minded

"this is the person who needs to provide you some approval. And I think dealers are going to have to start to have kind of a, I'm not going to say a compliance manager, but somebody who's compliance-minded that owns that process."

“Compliance-minded” means someone is focused on doing things the right way and following the rules. In a dealership, that can include making sure pricing and approvals are handled correctly.

Concept

pop-up deal

"You talk about the pop-up deal, right? You mentioned the pop-up being treated as a second price. That one surprises people. Can you explain the FTC's thinking on that?"

A “pop-up deal” is an offer that shows up after you fill out info or click through. The FTC is worried that the price can change in a way that feels sneaky or unclear.

Concept

second price

"You mentioned the pop-up being treated as a second price. That one surprises people. Can you explain the FTC's thinking on that?"

A “second price” means the deal you see first isn’t the final number. Then, after you do something (like enter info), a new price shows up that should be treated as its own offer.

Concept

FTC's thinking

"That one surprises people. Can you explain the FTC's thinking on that? I don't know how it's going to work."

The FTC is a U.S. agency that looks at whether pricing and ads are fair and clear. Here, they’re concerned that if the price changes after you interact with a deal, it may need to be treated as a different price and explained properly.

Term

pop-up price

"I was just that pop-up price. I just lost my... The pop-up price, the FTC treats that as a second offer, a second price."

A pop-up price is a lower price that appears in a box or overlay on the screen, instead of being shown on the main price display. The concern is whether that lower price is real and applies everywhere you look.

Concept

consistency across all platforms

"They're probably not going to be as common go forward as people look to have that consistency across all platforms."

Price consistency means the car price you see should be the same no matter where you click on the dealer’s site or tools. If it changes in different places, it can feel deceptive.

Concept

sales managers and leadership supposed to do

"So what's the sales managers, what are the people in the leadership supposed to do?"

They’re asking who’s responsible when different parts of the dealer’s online setup show different prices. Leadership has to make sure the pricing system is connected correctly so customers don’t see conflicting numbers.

Term

$1,000 off

"The lowered one that we saw for eight seconds on the site, or the promise of the $1,000 off."

“$1,000 off” is a marketing deal where the dealer says you’ll save $1,000. The point here is that if the ad doesn’t clearly match the actual price you’ll pay, it can cause trust and compliance problems.

Concept

advertise the price of the car

"and just have a price of the car, and just advertise the price of the car, have it updated across everywhere you're a market."

They’re saying dealers should clearly show the real price online. That means the number you see should be the same across the dealer’s site and other places, not outdated or “almost right.”

Concept

FTC's letter

"when you think about that, from a data standpoint, when you think about the FTC's letter, I wonder how long, from his perspective, it'll take for the industry to get to that consolidated consistent."

The FTC is a U.S. government agency that looks at fair business practices. Here, they’re talking about a letter from the FTC and how long it will take car dealers to adjust their advertising so it’s consistent and compliant.

Concept

omnichannel pricing

"...every single spot where that data sits that has pricing and an offer to a consumer, it's got to be consistent, 100%. And it's got to be quickly updated as it goes... as the customer is traversing through your journey..."

Omnichannel pricing means your price should be the same whether you’re looking online or talking to someone at the dealership. It’s about keeping the numbers aligned across all the places customers shop.

Concept

data sits where pricing and offers are stored

"...ensure that every single spot where that data sits that has pricing and an offer to a consumer, it's got to be consistent, 100%."

They’re saying the price information is stored in multiple places, not just one system. To avoid mistakes, all those places have to be updated together.

Concept

friction in the showroom experience

"And why not? It makes it less... There's so much less friction when you walk into the showroom, and as the customer is traversing through your journey..."

Friction is anything that makes the buying process feel annoying or confusing. If the price changes as you move through the steps, it creates friction and makes people less confident to buy.

Concept

point solutions

"So, dealer, we just have a 25-year ecosystem... built over a long time, with lots of point solutions. And so, and then you have the manufacturers"

Point solutions are separate apps that do one task each. If a dealership uses lots of different apps that don’t share data perfectly, prices can end up out of sync.

Concept

point solution-oriented

"who will certify 100 different companies to do certain different things for dealerships, and that's very point solution-oriented. So, it's not the..."

It means the product is designed to fix one specific thing, not everything at once. For dealerships, that can lead to using several separate tools that don’t talk to each other.

Concept

customer data is fragmented

"The guy that was talking earlier from full path saying, customer data is fragmented. Do you think customer data is fragmented?"

It means customer info is scattered across different software tools. If the data doesn’t all connect, it’s harder to make the same offer or experience for the customer every time.

Concept

offers across the different platforms

"What do you see how customers, how dealers do offers across the different platforms? It's equally as fragmented, and it's actually in today,"

“Offers across the different platforms” refers to how dealers generate pricing/financing/promotional offers using multiple software systems. If those platforms aren’t integrated, the offers can vary in quality, timing, and accuracy, reinforcing the “fragmented” problem.

Concept

one offer sitting out there for one vehicle in all these different sources

"How quickly do you think the industry moves towards bringing all this data together so that there is basically just the one offer sitting out there for one vehicle in all these different sources?"

The idea is that no matter where you look—dealer site, listings, or other sources—you’d see the same price/offer for the same car. That makes the buying process feel more straightforward and less confusing.

Term

KPIs

"We look at the statistic that we look at most often, the KPIs market share. If a dealer is doing things well, their market share is growing."

KPIs are just numbers a business watches to see if it’s doing well. Here, the dealership uses them to measure things like how much they’re selling compared to other dealers.

Term

market share

"the KPIs market share. If a dealer is doing things well, their market share is growing. They're selling a higher percentage of the vehicles in their market than they were before."

Market share means how much of the local car-buying business a dealership gets. If their market share grows, it usually means they’re selling a bigger slice of the cars in their area.

Term

pricing across the board

"And the dealers who have been consistent about their pricing across the board, and I'm not talking about one price, I'm just talking about be consistent."

This means the dealership tries to keep pricing consistent—so the customer isn’t seeing one price online and a different one in person. Consistent pricing can make the process feel more trustworthy and easier.

Concept

less friction involved in that transaction

"So, when the customer comes in the showroom, there is less friction involved in that transaction because everywhere the customer has seen,"

Less friction means the deal feels easier—fewer surprises and fewer back-and-forth steps. If the price looks the same everywhere, customers don’t have to question it as much.

Concept

payments

"especially when you're dealing with payments. Right? Payments can be a little harder to calculate..."

When people shop for cars, they usually focus on what they’ll pay each month. If the monthly payment changes because the numbers weren’t set up correctly, it can make the deal feel unfair or confusing.

Term

finance or lease

"but 85% of the people finance or lease their vehicle. So, when they come into the showroom..."

“Finance” is usually a loan where you pay over time and end up owning the car. “Lease” is more like renting for a few years, with rules about mileage and what happens at the end.

Concept

reducing that friction point down to zero

"I think you're right that success and automotive in 2026 and beyond now and in the future is reducing that friction point down to zero and the different data points, all being in line and being the same..."

“Friction” here means anything that makes buying a car feel harder or more confusing. They’re saying the goal is to make the whole process smoother so people don’t get stuck or surprised at any step.

Concept

data points... all being in line and being the same

"...the different data points, all being in line and being the same, but then just supporting that ease of that process..."

They’re saying the numbers should match everywhere—online and in the dealership. If the data is consistent, shoppers are less likely to feel tricked or confused.

Concept

consistent pricing across platforms

"Thanks for sharing your perspective on consistent pricing [2666.1s] across platforms. ... That will reduce friction. [2693.5s] That will increase customer satisfaction"

They’re talking about keeping the same price everywhere a car is advertised. If the price matches across websites and listings, shoppers get fewer surprises and are more likely to feel confident buying.

Company

Colonial Ford of Plymouth

"Next up, Ron Almeida, [2700.9s] General Manager, Colonial Ford of Plymouth."

They name Colonial Ford of Plymouth, which is the dealership Ron manages. It’s included so listeners know the perspective is coming from a real local store, not just theory.

Concept

rollout program

"“...and then holding them accountable. And that's the rollout program.”"

A rollout program is the plan for introducing a new tool or process at work. It usually includes telling people early, explaining why it matters, and making sure everyone follows through so it doesn’t disrupt customers.

Concept

fixed ops

"“How does a trade appraisal tool touch fixed ops, AI, and sales differently?”"

In dealership talk, “fixed ops” usually means the service and parts side of the store. If something changes how trade-ins are processed, it can change how busy the service department and parts department get.

Concept

trade appraisal tool

"“How does a trade appraisal tool touch fixed ops, AI, and sales differently?” ... “you’ll increase your parts department… the service work going through the service department.”"

A trade appraisal tool helps a dealership estimate what your current car is worth when you trade it in. If it’s used well, it can lead to more trade-ins, which usually means more work for service and parts and more deals for sales.

Concept

AI

"“How does a trade appraisal tool touch fixed ops, AI, and sales differently?”"

“AI” means computer technology that can learn patterns and help make decisions. In dealerships, it’s often used to help with things like pricing or appraisals, which can affect how busy different departments get.

Term

trade ins

"when you trade more vehicles in at the door. ... How are you going after additional trade ins in April, 2026"

A trade-in is your current car’s value that gets used to lower the price of the next car you buy. The dealership gives you a number for your car, and that number is credited toward the new purchase.

Term

trade appraisal number

"What's your tool you're using to come up with the trade appraisal number? ... The appraisal done by the salesperson and the sales manager"

That “trade appraisal number” is the price the dealer says your current car is worth. It’s the number you’ll use to reduce the cost of the next car you buy.

Concept

blended matrix

"we use a blended matrix at Colonial Ford of Plymouth. So we're all getting into all the minutiae..."

A blended matrix means the dealer uses several pricing tools together instead of just one. That helps them come up with a trade-in value that’s more consistent and defensible.

Company

ACV Max

"we're all getting into all the minutiae, you know, Mannheim, ACV Max, KVB, and then we have some other tools that we use."

ACV Max is a service that estimates what a used car is worth. Dealers use it to help set a fair trade-in value.

Company

Mannheim

"we're all getting into all the minutiae, you know, Mannheim, ACV Max, KVB, and then we have some other tools that we use."

“Mannheim” refers to pricing information dealers use to estimate car values. It helps them base trade offers on what similar cars are selling for.

Company

KVB

"Mannheim, ACV Max, KVB, and then we have some other tools that we use."

KVB is one of the tools dealers use to estimate car values. The point is to use data from more than one place so the trade offer is more accurate.

Term

discrepancy of 6,000

"You could have a discrepancy of 6,000 based on what the customer thinks and what the actual appraisal is, just based on the miles."

A “discrepancy” here means the trade-in value the customer expects versus what the dealer calculates. Even mileage differences can change the number a lot.

Term

miles

"...just based on the miles. If you have a 20, say a two year old vehicle with 50,000 miles, you're 30,000 miles over."

Mileage matters because it affects how much wear a car is assumed to have. More miles usually means a lower trade-in value.

Term

20 cents a mile

"So you have to put a number on that at 20 cents a mile. That's $6,000 right there."

Dealers sometimes value a trade-in by using a simple rule like “so many cents per mile.” More miles usually means less value, so the dealer turns mileage into a dollar number.

Concept

trade-in expectation vs mileage adjustment

"So if the customer comes in with an expectation of 38,000, the miles alone drops it to 32. And if you deal with that right up front, that's really smooth and transparent."

They’re saying the trade-in value isn’t just a guess—it can be adjusted based on mileage. When you do that math early, the customer and dealer talk about the same numbers instead of arguing.

Term

average of gross per

"Is it number of units traded in? Is it average of gross per? Is it CSI?"

This is a way to measure how much money the dealership makes per car. If the “gross per” number goes up, it usually means deals are more profitable.

Term

CSI

"Is it average of gross per? Is it CSI? How's it moving the needle the most? It hits all those areas. CSI, selling more vehicles, creates less friction..."

CSI is basically a score for how happy customers are with how the dealership treated them. In this segment, they’re saying better customer experience can also make the sales process smoother.

Concept

smoother transition to the finance department

"CSI, selling more vehicles, creates less friction, the pain point of going back and forth, and it creates a smoother transition to the finance department. Because you're not going back and forth numerous times based on the trade."

They’re talking about making the handoff from the salesperson to the finance person easier. If the trade discussion is handled up front, the customer doesn’t have to repeat things or wait as much.

Concept

work truck customer

"That customer, the truck buyer, the work truck customer, the outfit customer is one of the toughest to retain because they work, because they shop on capability and price."

A work-truck customer is someone who uses the truck for their job or business. They usually care a lot about getting the right truck that can do the work and getting it fast.

Concept

speed (need it now)

"When they need a vehicle, they need it now. Yeah, that's speed, right? It's more than just price."

For work trucks, “speed” means getting the truck to the customer quickly. If a business has to wait, it can lose time and money, so fast service matters a lot.

Term

GVW

"It also has to have the right outfit, the right GVW, the right body. And that's where the general sales manager here, he does a tremendous job to make sure we stock a wide breadth of product."

GVW means the truck’s total weight when it’s loaded. Buyers look at it because it affects how much the truck can safely carry and handle for work.

Term

outfit

"It also has to have the right outfit, the right GVW, the right body. And that's where the general sales manager here, he does a tremendous job to make sure we stock a wide breadth of product."

Here, “outfit” means how the truck is set up for a particular kind of work. It’s about getting the right configuration, not just any truck.

Term

recalls

"Ford is one of the most recalled OEMs right now in the news. 2025, they had that distinction. There's quite a few recalls in 26."

A recall means the manufacturer found a problem and tells owners to get a fix. Dealers usually have to do the repair before you can take the car.

Term

OEMs

"Ford is one of the most recalled OEMs right now in the news. 2025, they had that distinction."

OEM just means the company that made the car in the first place. When they issue a recall, it’s their fix that the dealer performs.

Term

mobile service

"Is it mobile service? How are you doing that in 2026? ... We have mobile service. We'll go pick up the vehicle, pick up and delivery."

Mobile service means the mechanic comes to you. Instead of driving your car to the dealership, they can pick it up or work around your schedule.

Concept

recall communication

"We try to get the recall done. First of all, we do not release a vehicle out of the dealership without a recall being done. Clear communication, getting the recalls done."

This is about how the dealership talks to customers during the recall. If they explain what’s happening and when the car will be ready, it feels less stressful.

Term

pick up and delivery

"We have mobile service. We'll go pick up the vehicle, pick up and delivery. It really hasn't been a pain point here."

Pick up and delivery means the dealership handles transporting your car for service. It can save you time while the recall repair is being done.

Concept

price these aggressive

"We still have, you have to price these aggressive. You have to use the tools and you have to update daily. You have to change your pricing to the market daily if not every day."

They’re saying you may need to price cars more aggressively (more competitively) to sell them faster. If you don’t, the cars can sit too long and become harder to profit from.

Term

120 day, 100 day aged

"So it's a process. You don't want to get caught in a situation where you're all of a sudden you have a 120 day, 100 day aged and you're underwater."

This is about how long a used car has been sitting unsold. If it takes too long—like 100 or 120 days—dealers may have to cut the price a lot, and they can end up losing money.

Concept

underwater

"You don't want to get caught in a situation where you're all of a sudden you have a 120 day, 100 day aged and you're underwater."

In dealership inventory terms, “underwater” means the dealer’s cost basis (what they paid plus reconditioning/holding costs) is higher than what the market will pay for the vehicle. This typically happens when pricing lags market changes or when inventory ages too long.

Brand

Mercedes

"Eager case says Ford and Mercedes both leasing the mobile service and Mercedes was the pioneer who led the industry with that service being offered. True story, Mercedes Benz is doing a phenomenal job on mobile service in 2026 and they've been doing it for years that way."

They’re saying Mercedes is good at “mobile service,” where service comes to you. Instead of driving to the dealership, the shop handles it at your location.

Concept

trading at the door and through services

"Trying to trade as much at the door and through services as we can. Yeah. So if you're, if you're listening, if you're speaking to a general manager who's"

“Trading at the door” refers to capturing trade-ins during the sales process, often when a customer is ready to buy. “Through services” suggests using the service department to identify and convert customers into trade-in opportunities, improving inventory flow.

Term

scheduling

"...and then roll out scheduling, what will help them. They're in the front, they're the front line. So if you're just shooting from the hip and not checking with your front line,"

Scheduling is how the shop plans when cars are worked on and who works on them. If you plan it without asking the people doing the work, things tend to go wrong.

Topic

price consistency debate

"He talked about one of the challenges... multiple prices existing out on the internet and them not being consistent... It creates a level playing field."

They talk about why car prices online can be inconsistent and what dealers do to fix it. The main theme is making sure shoppers see the same pricing everywhere.

Concept

level playing field

"It creates a level playing field. There's too many dealers that play the old shell game."

A “level playing field” means dealers should compete fairly so shoppers can compare options without getting tricked by different or missing fees. When pricing is consistent, it’s easier to tell who’s actually offering the better deal.

Concept

shell game

"There's too many dealers that play the old shell game. And there's no need for that in this day and age."

“Shell game” is a metaphor for deceptive or confusing pricing practices—like advertising a low “internet price” while fees later change the total. The discussion ties it to inconsistent pricing across dealer websites and third-party listings.

Car

Ford F150

"Well, right now with Ford, they had a few issues with the F-150 and super duty with the fire at the aluminum plane."

The Ford F-150 is a very popular pickup truck. If there are problems that affect how many people buy or how much it costs to fix them, dealerships have to adjust their plans to make up the lost money.

Car

Ford Super Duty

"Well, right now with Ford, they had a few issues with the F-150 and super duty with the fire at the aluminum plane."

Ford’s Super Duty trucks are the heavier-duty versions of their pickups. If something disrupts production or creates problems, dealerships may lose sales dollars and try to recover them through service and used vehicles.

Term

repair order

"So we are going to have to pick up the lost dollars from pre-owned and through our service department [3474.5s] with better customer retention, a better repair order, a better ELR."

A repair order is the paperwork that says what the shop is going to check and fix on your car. It helps keep the work organized and makes sure the customer and shop are on the same page.

Term

ELR

"with better customer retention, a better repair order, a better ELR. [3479.5s] Just taking care of the consumer with a better multipoint and setting up future business with that customer."

ELR typically stands for “estimated labor revenue” or a similar dealership service metric used to track how much revenue the service department expects to generate from inspections and upsells. In this context, it’s grouped with customer retention and repair order quality, implying it’s a performance KPI.

Concept

multipoint inspection

"Just taking care of the consumer with a better multipoint and setting up future business with that customer. I'm putting a game plan together to service and maintain that vehicle. What technology do you use to deliver a multipoint inspection today in April of 26?"

A multipoint inspection is a checklist that a shop uses to look over your car in several areas. The goal is to catch issues early and help customers understand what needs attention.

Term

text to drive

"What technology do you use to deliver a multipoint inspection today in April of 26? [3499.8s] We're using text to drive. [3501.5s] It's one of our platforms and our goal is 75 to 80 percent"

“Text to drive” means using texting to move customers through the process faster. In this case, it’s being used to help deliver the inspection information more efficiently.

Concept

one price

"Jason Chabot, in case there was a lot of conversation after our piece with David Boyce [3551.9s] on one price. [3552.9s] In fact, I have to go back in the thing. [3555.0s] Somebody said, hey, why isn't anybody talking about one price?"

“One price” means the dealer sets one clear price for the car and doesn’t try to negotiate it down later. It’s meant to make shopping feel simpler and less stressful.

Brand

Toyota

"And then Don't13Link85 says, Saturn and Scion were both well received until both brands [3584.4s] became more integrated with GM and Toyota and lost their identity."

Toyota is the company that owned Scion. The comment is that when Scion became more integrated with Toyota, it may have lost the “different” feeling that customers liked.

Brand

GM

"And then Don't13Link85 says, Saturn and Scion were both well received until both brands [3584.4s] became more integrated with GM and Toyota and lost their identity."

GM stands for General Motors. In this context, it’s mentioned because Saturn was part of GM, and the comment is that more integration can make a brand feel less unique.

Topic

Fullpath Sale

"Perspectives from Steve Rowley and Aaron Horowitz on their acquisition."

They’re talking about a company deal—an acquisition involving Fullpath. It matters because these companies often provide tools that dealerships use to sell cars and manage customers.

Concept

Best practices in automotive

"And then Ron bringing it home with best practices in automotive."

They mention “best practices,” meaning the tried-and-true ways that work well in car sales and service. It’s basically advice on what successful shops do consistently.

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