{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"“Take On The Big Boys!” — Inside the Mind of a 70+ Rooftop Canadian Auto Giant Taking on the U.S. | Jared Priestner, CEO of Go Auto","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/take-on-the-big-boys-inside-the-mind-of-a-70-rooftop-canadian-auto-giant-taking-on-the-u-s-jared-priestner-ceo-of-go-auto","audioUrl":"https://chrt.fm/track/C6AG88/traffic.megaphone.fm/CREUR1228697645.mp3","description":"Today I’m joined by Jared Priestner, CEO of Go Auto. \n\nJared breaks down why Go Auto is expanding aggressively into the U.S., how concentration risk in Western Canada shaped that move, and what it takes to scale culture across borders. \n\nWe talk financial discipline, acquisition integration, and why used cars remain one of the biggest profit unlocks for dealers willing to operate differently.\n\n\n\nThis episode is brought to you by:\n\n\n1. Ikon Technologies - Ikon Technologies delivers a connected vehicle program for dealers that maximizes Customer Lifetime Value by driving sales efficiency and securing non-cancellable PVR on your front end while delivering an average of 50 additional customer-pay ROs every single month for your service bays. At NADA 2026 in Las Vegas, visit Stand 1763 West to see the benefits for yourself and take your chance to roll the dice to win a Rolls Royce (terms and conditions apply; no purchase necessary). Plus, as an exclusive offer for listeners, mention “Car Dealership Guy” when you sign up at NADA to have your entire initial installation fee waived—book your demo today @ http://www.ikontechnologies.com/CDG \n\n\n\n2.  PayJunction - For a limited time, PayJunction is giving dealers one free month (with up to $10,000 in non-credit processing fees back) when you activate and use SmartSurcharge. Claim your free month @ https://carguymedia.com/4p2LzcS\n\n\n\n3. CDG Recruiting – Hire top dealership talent, fast. From sales managers to GMs and C-suite execs, we’ve placed over 1,000 roles across auto retail. Ready to scale without the hassle? Visit @ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com to get started.\n\n\n\nCheck out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:\n\n\n\nFor dealers:\n\nCDG Circles ➤ ⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠\n\nIndustry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nDealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nFix your dealership’s social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nRequest to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\n\n\nFor industry vendors:\n\nAdvertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nIndustry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nRequest to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\n\n\nTopics:\n\n00:07 Strategy for US market expansion?\n\n01:51 How did Jared's early career shape him?\n\n06:33 Key to strategic evolution and growth?\n\n13:18 What defines the company's culture?\n\n26:51 How do team dynamics impact customers?\n\n27:54 How to balance profit and experience?\n\n29:21 Best integration strategy for new acquisitions?\n\n32:29 Why sell your store to this company?\n\n37:07 Future vision and growth strategy?\n\n\n\nCar Dealership Guy Socials:\n\nX ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nInstagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nTikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nLinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nThreads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nFacebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nEverything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"},"annotations":[{"startTime":0.0,"endTime":10.0,"type":"concept","title":"dealership consolidation","url":"/glossary/dealership-consolidation","quote":"With consolidation accelerating and margins tightening, dealers are being forced to rethink where growth actually comes from.","canonicalId":"concept:dealership-consolidation","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Dealership consolidation refers to the trend of larger dealership groups acquiring or merging smaller independent dealerships to increase market share and reduce costs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealership consolidation means big car-selling companies are buying smaller ones so they can sell more cars and save money."}},{"startTime":0.0,"endTime":5.0,"type":"company","title":"Go Auto","url":"/glossary/go-auto","quote":"I think it's the big leagues of the car business... 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They’re usually cheaper than new ones."}},{"startTime":60.0,"endTime":65.0,"type":"brand","title":"Kia","url":"/glossary/kia","quote":"We have just picked up five, seven total. Seven and where are they located? We got to an LA, two big four stores in LA... we just picked up last week. We've got five in Washington States, three in the Seattle area, two Kia and a Hyundai.","canonicalId":"brand:kia","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Kia is a South Korean automaker that produces a range of vehicles from compact cars to SUVs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Kia is a car brand that makes affordable cars and SUVs."}},{"startTime":60.0,"endTime":80.0,"type":"brand","title":"Mercedes-Benz","url":"/glossary/mercedes-benz-2da6bee1-2c59-4e63-8ca8-f0d3c6600182","quote":"We have just picked up five, seven total... we got to an LA, two big four stores in LA. We just picked up last week. We've got five in Washington States, three in the Seattle area, two Kia and a Hyundai... And then we entered the US in 2023 in Bellingham, Washington, just right across the Canadian border with Toyota Mercedes.","canonicalId":"brand:mercedes-benz-2da6bee1-2c59-4e63-8ca8-f0d3c6600182","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker known for high-end vehicles such as the C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mercedes-Benz makes fancy cars that are more expensive and luxurious."}},{"startTime":60.0,"endTime":75.0,"type":"brand","title":"Toyota","url":"/glossary/toyota","quote":"We have just picked up five, seven total... we got to an LA, two big four stores in LA. We just picked up last week. We've got five in Washington States, three in the Seattle area, two Kia and a Hyundai... And then we entered the US in 2023 in Bellingham, Washington, just right across the Canadian border with Toyota Mercedes.","canonicalId":"brand:toyota","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Toyota is a Japanese automaker famous for models like the Corolla, Camry, and Prius.","simplifiedExplanation":"Toyota makes cars that are known for being reliable and fuel efficient."}},{"startTime":60.0,"endTime":70.0,"type":"brand","title":"Hyundai","url":"/glossary/hyundai","quote":"We have just picked up five, seven total... we got to an LA, two big four stores in LA. We just picked up last week. We've got five in Washington States, three in the Seattle area, two Kia and a Hyundai.","canonicalId":"brand:hyundai","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Hyundai is a South Korean automaker known for models such as the Elantra, Sonata, and Santa Fe.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hyundai makes cars that are usually affordable and reliable."}},{"startTime":187.8,"endTime":190.0,"type":"concept","title":"car business","url":"/glossary/car-business","quote":"...in a very unique situation where my brother, Pat Preciner, he's the CEO of a company called Canada One Auto.","canonicalId":"concept:car-business","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The car business encompasses all activities related to selling, financing, and servicing vehicles, including dealerships, parts suppliers, and automotive services.","simplifiedExplanation":"The car business is everything that happens around buying, selling, and fixing cars."}},{"startTime":195.8,"endTime":200.0,"type":"company","title":"Canada One Auto","url":"/glossary/canada-one-auto","quote":"...his brother, Pat Preciner, he's the CEO of a company called Canada One Auto.","canonicalId":"company:canada-one-auto","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Canada One Auto is a Canadian automotive dealership chain that was founded by Pat Preciner, who serves as its CEO. 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They check them over and sometimes offer a warranty."}},{"startTime":272.8,"endTime":280.0,"type":"concept","title":"driving school","url":"/glossary/driving-school","quote":"...they bought a driving school called young drivers of Canada and then we're going to give every four driver","canonicalId":"concept:driving-school","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A driving school teaches new drivers the skills and rules needed to operate a vehicle safely. Some schools offer defensive driving courses that can reduce insurance costs.","simplifiedExplanation":"A driving school is a place where people learn how to drive. They teach you the rules of the road and safe driving techniques."}},{"startTime":283.8,"endTime":290.0,"type":"concept","title":"defensive driving course","url":"/glossary/defensive-driving-course","quote":"...five hundred dollars off for taking the defensive driving course and my dad was like, oh, this is great.","canonicalId":"concept:defensive-driving-course","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.87,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A defensive driving course teaches drivers how to anticipate hazards and avoid accidents, often resulting in lower insurance premiums for participants.","simplifiedExplanation":"A defensive driving course is a class that shows you how to stay safe on the road. If you finish it, your insurance might cost less."}},{"startTime":345.8,"endTime":350.0,"type":"brand","title":"Ford","url":"/glossary/ford","quote":"...that president went away and Ford got back on focused on just selling cars. They didn't want to be in the driving school business anymore.","canonicalId":"brand:ford","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker founded in 1903, known for producing a wide range of vehicles from trucks to sedans.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ford is a big car company that makes cars, trucks, and SUVs. It’s one of the oldest and most famous car makers in the world."}},{"startTime":512.8,"endTime":520.0,"type":"brand","title":"Chrysler","url":"/glossary/chrysler","quote":"[512.8s] And I heard about a Chrysler store in Vancouver that was for sale, which my dad was like this is insane like Chrysler's a tough mark, tough brand and Vancouver is not a Chrysler market whatsoever.","canonicalId":"brand:chrysler","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Chrysler is an American automobile manufacturer known for models such as the Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler brand vehicles. It has a long history in North America and is part of the FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) group.","simplifiedExplanation":"Chrysler makes cars and trucks that you might see on the road. It’s a big company that has made many popular vehicles over the years."}},{"startTime":2506.0,"endTime":2512.0,"type":"term","title":"DMS","url":"/glossary/dms","quote":"\"...including their DMS which is you know a record high so you know technology has completely infiltrated the dealership...\"","canonicalId":"term:dms","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"DMS stands for Dealer Management System, a software platform that helps car dealerships manage inventory, sales, service, and customer data in one place.","simplifiedExplanation":"A DMS is like a computer program that helps car dealers keep track of cars for sale, customers, and repairs all in one system."}},{"startTime":2518.0,"endTime":2533.0,"type":"concept","title":"online auto retailing upstarts","url":"/glossary/online-auto-retailing-upstarts","quote":"\"...online auto retailing upstarts and not so upstarts anymore but things are changing...\"","canonicalId":"concept:online-auto-retailing-upstarts","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Online auto retailing upstarts are new companies that sell cars primarily through digital platforms, often offering home delivery and virtual showrooms.","simplifiedExplanation":"These are new businesses that let you buy a car over the internet instead of going to a physical dealership, sometimes delivering it straight to your door."}},{"startTime":2520.0,"endTime":2526.0,"type":"concept","title":"EVs","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"\"...we went kind of too far EV's it's swung back you have all you know the online auto retailing upstarts...\"","canonicalId":"concept:ev","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"EVs refers to Electric Vehicles, cars powered primarily by electric motors and battery packs instead of internal combustion engines.","simplifiedExplanation":"EVs are cars that run on electricity stored in batteries, so they don’t use gasoline or diesel."}},{"startTime":2638.0,"endTime":2642.96,"type":"brand","title":"Nissan","url":"/glossary/nissan","quote":"by the way you're looking at a Nissan center you know my name's Jared I take","canonicalId":"brand:nissan","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Nissan is a Japanese automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, known for producing a wide range of vehicles from compact cars to SUVs and trucks.","simplifiedExplanation":"Nissan is a car company that makes many different models, like the Altima and Rogue. It’s one of the big car makers in the world."}},{"startTime":3248.0,"endTime":3254.0,"type":"car","title":"Lincoln Navigator","url":"/cars/lincoln/navigator","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/2018_Lincoln_Navigator_front_9.22.18.jpg","quote":"have a single like I have a Lincoln navigator because I drive my kids to hockey","canonicalId":"car:lincoln:navigator","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The Lincoln Navigator is a full‑size luxury SUV produced by the American automaker Lincoln, known for its spacious interior and high‑end features.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lincoln Navigator is a big, fancy SUV made by the U.S. brand Lincoln. It’s designed to carry families comfortably and has many luxury options.","imageAttribution":"Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Car Dealership Guy","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/take-on-the-big-boys-inside-the-mind-of-a-70-rooftop-canadian-auto-giant-taking-on-the-u-s-jared-priestner-ceo-of-go-auto/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}