Simons, Ellis, and Toothman on Used Car Acquisition | Daily Dealer Live
About this episode
Used car acquisition strategies take center stage as industry experts discuss the evolving market dynamics. Dealer principal Scott Simons shares insights on reshaping dealership operations around smarter inventory management, emphasizing the importance of acquisition over retail sales. The episode features discussions on the impact of recent industry trends, including supply constraints from manufacturers like GM, and innovative approaches to sourcing vehicles. With insights from tech founders and successful dealers, listeners gain valuable perspectives on navigating the competitive used car landscape.
BYD
"First up today, Chinese automaker BYD is suing the U.S. government over its tariff policy, even though the company doesn't even sell passenger cars in America."
BYD is a car company from China that makes electric cars and batteries. They are not selling their cars in the United States right now.
BYD is a Chinese automaker known for its electric vehicles and batteries. The company has expanded its presence globally but does not currently sell passenger cars in the U.S.
incentives
"Next up in the news today, new vehicle prices climbed again in January, hitting a record for the month as incentives..."
Incentives are special offers or discounts that car companies give to help sell more cars. They can make buying a car cheaper.
Incentives in the automotive context refer to discounts, rebates, or special financing offers provided by manufacturers or dealers to encourage the purchase of vehicles. These can significantly affect the average transaction price and consumer behavior.
average transaction price
"Next up in the news today, new vehicle prices climbed again in January, hitting a record for the month as incentives..."
The average transaction price is how much people usually pay for new cars. It includes any deals or discounts they might get.
The average transaction price refers to the average amount paid by consumers for new vehicles, including any discounts or incentives. It is a key indicator of market trends and consumer spending in the automotive industry.
MSRP
"While the average MSRP rose to $51,288. At the same time, incentive spending slipped to 6.5% of ATP."
MSRP is the price that car makers suggest you should pay for a new car. It's like a starting point for how much a car costs.
MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, which is the price that the manufacturer recommends for a vehicle. It's often used as a baseline for negotiations between buyers and dealerships.
full-size pickups
"while full-size pickups topped $70,000 for the fifth straight month with more than $150,000 sold in January alone."
Full-size pickups are big trucks that can carry a lot of stuff and are often used for work or towing. They have more space than smaller trucks.
Full-size pickups are larger trucks designed for heavy-duty use, often featuring a spacious cabin and a larger cargo bed. They are popular for both work and personal use due to their versatility and towing capacity.
entry-level vehicles
"Meanwhile, true entry-level vehicles remained scarce."
Entry-level vehicles are basic cars that are cheaper and good for people buying their first car. They usually have fewer fancy features.
Entry-level vehicles are typically more affordable cars aimed at first-time buyers or those looking for budget-friendly options. They often come with fewer features compared to higher-end models but are designed to be practical and economical.
Toyota Prius
"First up, Toyota is recalling 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles from model years 23 to 26 over rear doors that could unexpectedly pop open due to faulty seats."
The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gasoline and electricity to run, making it very efficient on fuel. It's well-known for being good for the environment.
The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle known for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly design. It has been a popular choice for environmentally conscious drivers since its introduction in the late 1990s.
Toyota Prius Prime
"First up, Toyota is recalling 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles from model years 23 to 26 over rear doors that could unexpectedly pop open due to faulty seats."
The Toyota Prius Prime is a special version of the Prius that can run on electricity alone for a while before using gasoline. This makes it even more efficient for short trips.
The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid version of the standard Prius, offering an electric-only driving range in addition to the hybrid capabilities. It combines the benefits of electric driving with the convenience of a gasoline engine.
Valeo
"...equipped with starters made by supplier Valeo."
Valeo is a company that makes parts for cars, like starters that help the engine start. Many car brands use their parts in their vehicles.
Valeo is a global automotive supplier known for providing various components and systems to car manufacturers, including starters, electrical systems, and more. Their products are used in many vehicles worldwide.
Toyota Supra
"...the Toyota Supra, which shares the BMW's engine. And Stellantis, parent company to Jeep and Ram,..."
The Toyota Supra is a popular sports car known for being fast and fun to drive. It uses a similar engine to some BMW cars, which makes it even more exciting for car fans.
The Toyota Supra is a sports car that has gained a reputation for its performance and tuning potential. It shares a platform and engine with certain BMW models, which enhances its appeal among enthusiasts.
BMW
"The issue affects 10 BMW models, plus the Toyota Supra,..."
BMW is a famous car brand from Germany that makes luxury and sporty cars. They are known for their quality and performance.
BMW is a well-known German automotive brand that produces luxury vehicles and performance cars. The brand is recognized for its engineering excellence and sporty driving dynamics.
Stellantis
"And Stellantis, parent company to Jeep and Ram, is recalling over 450,000 pickup trucks..."
Stellantis is a big company that makes cars. It owns brands like Jeep and Ram, which are popular in the United States.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturer formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. It owns several well-known brands, including Jeep, Ram, and Peugeot.
trailer tow modules
"...because of defective trailer tow modules. To see more recall alerts,..."
Trailer tow modules are parts in a vehicle that help manage the lights and brakes of a trailer when it's being towed. If they don't work right, it can be dangerous when towing something.
Trailer tow modules are electronic components that control the trailer's lighting and braking systems when connected to a vehicle. Defective modules can lead to safety issues when towing.
Nissan
"I was offered a Nissan CDJR Ford Volkswagen."
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many types of vehicles, including electric cars.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars like the Nissan Leaf.
GMC
"And I picked Chevrolet and I picked GMC."
GMC is a brand that makes trucks and SUVs, often seen as more rugged and premium compared to other brands.
GMC is a division of General Motors that primarily focuses on trucks and SUVs, known for their ruggedness and premium features.
Subaru
"they'll say Toyota 1, Honda 2, Subaru 3, Kia 4."
Subaru is a car brand from Japan known for making vehicles that can handle rough terrain, often with all-wheel drive.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and rugged designs, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
Kia
"they'll say Toyota 1, Honda 2, Subaru 3, Kia 4."
Kia is a car company from South Korea that makes affordable and stylish cars, often with good warranties.
Kia is a South Korean automotive manufacturer known for producing affordable and stylish vehicles with a strong warranty program.
CDJR
"...But I got to see CDJR."
CDJR is a group of car brands that includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, known for making different types of vehicles like cars and trucks.
CDJR stands for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, which are automotive brands under the Stellantis umbrella. This group is known for producing a variety of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and trucks.
Ford Escape
"...They just stopped the Escape."
The Ford Escape is a small SUV made by Ford, designed for people who need a vehicle that can handle both city driving and some off-road conditions.
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that has been in production since 2000. It is known for its practicality, fuel efficiency, and versatility, making it a popular choice among families and individuals.
Chevrolet Silverado
"... And then I was able to grab an allocation of 100 Silverados, which I'm getting a lot of messages like,"
The Chevrolet Silverado is a big truck that people use for carrying heavy loads and towing things like trailers. It's popular because it's tough and can be used for both work and everyday driving.
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup truck known for its robust performance, versatility, and strong towing capabilities. It has been a popular choice among consumers for both work and personal use, making it a significant player in the truck market.
upfitter
"with the upfitter and limited the amount of accessories... I committed to and then committed to a big pool of trucks."
An upfitter is someone who makes changes to a vehicle to add special features or equipment. This is often done for work trucks to make them more useful for specific jobs.
An upfitter is a company or individual that modifies vehicles to meet specific needs or requirements, often adding custom features or equipment. This is common in commercial vehicles where additional functionality is needed for various industries.
inventory production
"That's a strategic smart decision by GM to control inventory production to help dealers be more profitable..."
Inventory production is about how many cars are made and kept for sale. Managing this well helps car dealers make more money by not having too many or too few cars.
Inventory production refers to the management and control of the number of vehicles produced and available for sale. Effective inventory management helps dealerships maintain profitability by ensuring they have the right amount of stock without overproducing.
Honda Crv
"...when you traded in that 2014 CRV with 40,000 miles, I want you to imagine 40 people posting it on their feeds."
The Honda CR-V is a popular SUV that is known for being reliable and having a lot of space inside. The 2014 version is a good choice for families because it has many safety features and is easy to drive.
The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV known for its reliability, spacious interior, and fuel efficiency. The 2014 model features a comfortable ride and a variety of safety features, making it a popular choice among families.
Ford F150
"...that 2021 F-150 sells really well in this market. So then we communicate that information with the buyers..."
The Ford F-150 is a large truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. The 2021 version has new features and different engine choices, which makes it a favorite for many buyers.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck known for its durability and versatility. The 2021 model features advanced technology and a range of engine options, making it popular among both consumers and businesses.
Tesla Semi
"Well, you got to let us know if you got the semi truck. It'll be fascinating."
The Tesla Semi is a big electric truck that companies can use to transport goods. It's special because it doesn't use gas and is designed to save money on fuel and be better for the environment.
The Tesla Semi is an all-electric truck designed for freight transport, aiming to revolutionize the trucking industry with its impressive range and lower operating costs. It represents Tesla's expansion into commercial vehicles, showcasing their commitment to sustainable transport solutions.
Honda Accord
"...Nissan, and Ferrari stores selling the same Honda Accord in your market. You're not going to get good repr..."
The Honda Accord is a family car that's known for being dependable and good on gas. It's roomy inside, which makes it comfortable for driving around town or on long trips.
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan that has gained a reputation for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and spacious interior. It has consistently been one of the best-selling cars in the United States, making it a common choice for families and commuters.
VIN
"And when you put in the VIN and our agile vehicle analysis tool,..."
A VIN is like a car's ID number. It helps you find out important details about the car, like who made it and when.
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code assigned to every vehicle. It serves as a fingerprint for the car, providing information about its make, model, year, and place of manufacture.
front gross average
"...you will not get to your front gross average if you buy this car over and over again."
Front gross average is how much money a car dealership usually makes when they sell a car, before paying for things like rent and salaries. It's a way to measure how well they're doing.
Front gross average refers to the average profit a dealership makes on the sale of a vehicle before expenses. It's an important metric for dealerships to understand their profitability on car sales.
propensity to finance
"...we can tell you the propensity to finance. You can count on 90% of the time..."
Propensity to finance means how likely people are to borrow money to buy a car instead of paying for it all at once. It's useful for dealerships to know this when selling cars.
Propensity to finance refers to the likelihood that a customer will choose to finance a vehicle rather than pay for it in full upfront. This metric helps dealerships understand customer behavior and tailor their sales strategies.
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