{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Tara Willis: How to Build a Culture That Sells Cars | Car Sales | Ep. 681","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/tara-willis-how-to-build-a-culture-that-sells-cars-car-sales-ep-681","audioUrl":"https://anchor.fm/s/1094c7cb4/podcast/play/109645994/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-9-14%2F409228519-44100-2-b2877c858ecd2.mp3","description":"What makes someone dream of being in the car business, and then actually make it happen?In this episode, I sit down with Tara Willis, a seasoned automotive professional who turned her childhood love for cars into a 20-year career working with major automotive brands like BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infiniti. Tara now leads product marketing and incentives planning at Infiniti, and she’s using her voice to shape what leadership looks like in today’s auto industry.We talk about how she found her footing in a predominantly male space, the lessons she’s learned sitting in boardrooms across the automotive world, and what it really takes to create workplaces where every voice can be heard. Tara shares honest reflections about mentorship, empathy, and the power of communication, especially when intent and impact don’t always line up.We also dive into why she believes there’s still so much hope in the future of car buying and the automotive industry, from evolving technology to stronger community connections through dealership philanthropy. And she shares how her work with Empowering Auto is helping inspire the next generation of car industry leaders.If you’re passionate about car sales, automotive leadership, or the human side of this business, this conversation will remind you why the industry is worth believing in.\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":155.0,"endTime":160.0,"type":"brand","title":"BMW","url":"/glossary/bmw","quote":"...working with brands such as BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infinity.","canonicalId":"brand:bmw","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"BMW is a German luxury vehicle manufacturer known for its performance and engineering excellence. The brand has a strong reputation in the automotive industry, particularly in the luxury and sports car segments.","simplifiedExplanation":"BMW is a well-known car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars. They are famous for their sporty designs and high-quality engineering."}},{"startTime":155.0,"endTime":160.0,"type":"brand","title":"Subaru","url":"/glossary/subaru","quote":"...working with brands such as BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infinity.","canonicalId":"brand:subaru","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and rugged designs. It has a loyal following, especially among outdoor enthusiasts and those who prioritize safety and reliability.","simplifiedExplanation":"Subaru is a car brand from Japan that makes vehicles known for being safe and good for outdoor activities. Many people like their cars for their all-wheel-drive feature, which helps in tough weather conditions."}},{"startTime":155.0,"endTime":160.0,"type":"brand","title":"Nissan","url":"/glossary/nissan","quote":"...working with brands such as BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infinity.","canonicalId":"brand:nissan","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from economical sedans to performance-oriented models like the Nissan GT-R. The brand is recognized for its innovation and technology in the automotive sector.","simplifiedExplanation":"Nissan is a car brand from Japan that makes many different types of vehicles, including affordable cars and sporty models. They are known for their technology and innovation in the car industry."}},{"startTime":155.0,"endTime":160.0,"type":"brand","title":"Infiniti","url":"/glossary/infiniti","quote":"...working with brands such as BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infinity.","canonicalId":"brand:infiniti","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan. It offers a range of premium cars and SUVs that focus on performance, luxury, and advanced technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"Infiniti is a luxury car brand that is part of Nissan. They make high-end vehicles that are designed for comfort and performance, often featuring advanced technology."}},{"startTime":1009.0,"endTime":1010.0,"type":"concept","title":"OEMs","url":"/glossary/oem","quote":"...the one thing they'll say about the auto industry is it's so resilient so we've got so many different players in the industry the OEMs the after sales market the dealers...","canonicalId":"concept:oem","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to companies that produce parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. In the automotive context, it typically refers to the car manufacturers themselves.","simplifiedExplanation":"OEM means the original company that makes the parts for cars. In the car world, it usually refers to the car makers themselves, like Ford or Toyota."}},{"startTime":1009.0,"endTime":1010.0,"type":"concept","title":"after sales market","url":"/glossary/after-sales-market","quote":"...the one thing they'll say about the auto industry is it's so resilient so we've got so many different players in the industry the OEMs the after sales market the dealers...","canonicalId":"concept:after-sales-market","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The after sales market refers to the sector of the automotive industry that deals with services and products sold after the initial sale of a vehicle. This includes maintenance, repairs, and aftermarket parts.","simplifiedExplanation":"The after sales market is about everything that happens after you buy a car, like getting it serviced or buying new parts for it."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Michael Cirillo","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/tara-willis-how-to-build-a-culture-that-sells-cars-car-sales-ep-681/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}