Car Dealership Guy Podcast
Car Dealership Guy
Updated about 6 hours agoThe Car Dealership Guy Podcast Network is your front-row seat to the people, companies, and trends shaping the future of automotive retail—delivered across three focused formats: The Car Dealership Guy Podcast (Tuesdays & Thursdays) Hosted by Yossi Levi, these deep-dive interviews feature top dealers, operators, and innovators driving the industry forward. Daily Dealer Live (Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays) Our live-streamed show, also released here in audio format, brings real-time news, sharp takes, and high-impact guests—think CNBC for car dealers. Industry Spotlight Hosted by Sam D’Arc, this segment highlights standout dealerships and vendors with tactical insights and stories from the front lines. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for highlights and behind-the-scenes content from every episode.
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Episodes (524)
#74 Can Hyundai challenge Toyota, Leaving $8M on the table, Selling cars on Amazon | Andrew DiFeo, Managing Partner of Hyundai of St. Augustine
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode I'm speaking with Andrew DiFeo, Managing Partner at Hyundai of St. Augustine where we discuss: Can Hyundai challenge Toyota? Why he left $8M on the table during Covid, Building a Florida dealership for $17M, How he's selling cars on Amazon and much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Auto Hauler Exchange - The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ https://www.autohaulerexchange.com/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. IInterested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:48) - Andrew’s background and career (00:05:29) - How big is the group today? (00:07:26) - What’s the background on your new store? (00:17:05) - How are you benefitting from the manufacturer given you’re operating out of a dealership like this? (00:20:10) - Being in the car business vs. the relationship business (00:29:25) - Is there a future where Hyundai challenges Toyota for market share? (00:33:27) - How are your store’s profits split? (00:39:28) - What are you seeing in the market today in regard to technology for auto retail? (00:44:35) - Should more dealers be involved with VC and investing? (00:46:44) - The Amazon-Hyundai announcement (00:53:35) - What do you see for the future of your group? Check out the Hyundai of St. Augustine here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#73 The man who guides 3,800+ finance departments, What keeps him up at night, AI in the car biz, Future of the Finance Manager | Scott Gunnell, President of JM&A group
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Scott Gunnell, President of JM&A Group where we discuss: AI regulation coming for the car business, The future of the Finance Manager, negative equity entering back into the market, and much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Widewail - If your reviews say you’re the best, you’re the best. Make reviews manageable with Widewail, the fastest-growing reputation management vendor in automotive. Learn more @ https://www.widewail.com/ Upstart - Upstart connects millions of consumers to 100+ banks and credit unions that leverage Upstart’s artificial intelligence models and cloud applications to deliver superior credit products. Their platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar “relief” loans. Learn more @ https://www.upstart.com/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:44) - Scott’s background and career (00:11:22) - What is JM&A Group? (00:13:36) - What are you seeing in terms of dealership financing? (00:16:26) - Why are F&I Managers necessary? (00:20:16) - How are you meeting the needs of the modern customer? (00:22:12) - Is there friction behind the scenes with managers and F&I? (00:25:02) - What margins are you seeing across the board? (00:30:13) - Are you seeing any changes in consumer preferences? (00:36:18) - Where are we on the AI hype curve? (00:40:21) - What are you seeing in the market right now? (00:42:11) - Are dealerships risking the loyalty of the service customer? (00:44:53) - Is there anything keeping you up at night? Check out JM&A Group here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#72 Biggest sleeper brand in automotive, Selling dealerships for $100M+, Most improving automakers, F-150 Lightning a flop? | Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Alan Haig, President and Founder of Haig Partners where we discuss: Biggest "Sleeper" brand in automotive Selling dealerships for $100M+, most improving automakers, was the F-150 Lightning a flop? and much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Impel - From website, chat, sales, and service, Impel AI is custom-built to achieve your business objective featuring a proprietary blend of large language models, automotive optimization layers, and seamless integration with your entire tech stack. Learn more @ https://impel.ai/ Auto Hauler Exchange - The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ https://www.autohaulerexchange.com/ Haig Partners - Haig provides expert advice based on extensive retail dealership buy-sell experience to lead a confidential and customized sale process helping dealership owners maximize the value of their life's work. Learn more @ https://haigpartners.com/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/jobs Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:02) - The family aspect of the auto industry (00:14:14) - Alan’s background (00:07:46) - Why is the entrepreneur so important to the local dealership model? (00:18:06) - What are you seeing in terms of opportunities for employees? (00:23:33) - What are you seeing in the market? (00:30:38) - What’s happening with Nissan right now? (00:37:26) - What are your thoughts on folks who believe the dealership model is going away? (00:42:53) - What brands are performing best right now? (00:53:16) - Thoughts on Ford (01:00:55) - Do you foresee China coming to the States? (01:06:26) - What’s next for our industry? Check out Haig Partners here - https://haigpartners.com/ Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#71 Building a winning Toyota store from scratch, Selling 1,200 cars on a "slow" month, Trailblazing as a female dealer principal | Julie Herrera, President of IDEA Auto Group
In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Julie Herrera, President of IDEA Auto Group where we discuss her journey from broke to millionaire Toyota Dealer, How she's able to sell 1,200 cars on a slow month, what it's like to be a trailblazer as a female dealer principal, and much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Auto Hauler Exchange - The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ https://www.autohaulerexchange.com/ CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:58) - Julie’s background and career (00:09:00) - What it was like being a woman in auto sales back in the 90’s (00:11:37) - Becoming a GM (00:15:24) - How do you actually open a dealership? (00:21:20) - What are you doing today that’s ahead of the curve? (00:24:52) - Advice for aspiring dealer principals (00:28:43) - Saying the quiet part out loud (00:31:04) - Does doing what you do come at the expense of family? (00:34:20) - What are you seeing in the market today? (00:36:55) - What's your outlook for the remainder of 2024? (00:40:07) - How did you come up with the branding for your dealership? (00:42:47) - What’s your personal mission for the industry? (00:45:42) - What’s next for you? Check out IDEA Auto Group here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#70 How AI will fix the broken credit system, Is 40% of US overpaying for car loans, Blowing an engine at 24H Le Mans | Alex Rouse, VP, GM Auto at Upstart
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Alex Rouse, VP, GM Auto at Upstart where we discuss: If AI can fix the broken credit system, Is 40% of US overpaying for their car loans, Racing in the grueling 24 hours of Le Mans, The CEO secrets learned from Jeff Bezos. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Auto Hauler Exchange - The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ https://www.autohaulerexchange.com/ Upstart - Upstart connects millions of consumers to 100+ banks and credit unions that leverage Upstart’s artificial intelligence models and cloud applications to deliver superior credit products. Their platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar “relief” loans. Learn more @ https://www.upstart.com/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:52) - Alex’s involvement in Le Mans (00:06:03) - Alex’s career as a founder and at Amazon (00:12:00) - Why did you join Upstart? (00:15:58) - Where are you seeing the most inefficiency with lending? (00:19:51) - Where is the ‘sweet spot’ with respect to lenders as we look out over the next year? (00:22:06) - The E-start coalition (00:24:35) - What are you doing on the digital retailing front? (00:27:35) - What dealer challenges are you seeing right now? (00:30:13) - What does success look like for you over the next 5 years? Check out Upstart here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#69 Disruption of digital advertising, His $1B dealership marketing playbook, Unlocking the secrets of a car shoppers mind | Ron Andrews, VP of Business Development at Cars Commerce
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Ron Andrews, VP of Business Development at Cars Commerce where we discuss: Digital advertising is being disrupted and what it means for digital marketers, Unlocking the secrets of a car shopper's mind, His $1B digital marketing playbook for car dealerships. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Withum - Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Learn more at - https://www.withum.com/warranty Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:04:19) - Ron’s career in auto (00:07:57) - Modern retailing (00:14:39) - What’s an ideal channel mix for dealerships? (00:16:16) - What are you seeing in the market? (00:19:16) - The “always on” customer (00:21:21) - Where are dealers wasting money? (00:24:26) - The future of data (00:32:22) - What are you working on for dealers today? Check out Cars Commerce here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#68 CDG Market Update: Will used car prices rise again, Best and worst selling cars, Hybrids domination, A.I. chatbots selling cars | Jessica Caldwell, Head of Insights at Edmunds, and Kevin Frye, eCommerce Director at Jeff Wyler Auto Group
I am so excited to announce that today is the first-ever episode of my new monthly show: The Car Dealership Guy Market Update—Brought to you by Edmunds. A panel-style, monthly discussion with automotive industry experts and dealers about where our car market is today—and where it may be headed. Think of this as a forum for auto insiders to share everything from macroeconomic trends to ground-level dealership insights, all with a simple goal: To make you smarter and more informed about the car market and economy, in under an hour. Let's get into it! Today, im speaking with Jessica Caldwell, Head of Insights at Edmunds, and Kevin Frye, eCommerce Director of Jeff Wyler Automotive Group. This episode is brought to you by: Edmunds - Premier by Edmunds connects dealers with in-market shoppers when, where, and how they want to connect. New dealers — Get 50% off for 90 days when you sign up at edmunds.com/CDG Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:11) - Introducing Kevin and Jessica (00:03:33) - The state of the market (00:05:07) - Price trends (00:09:22) - Auto financing (00:11:09) - Leasing (00:18:31) - Acquiring inventory (00:20:43) - The affordability issue in new cars (00:27:55) - Shopper behavior (00:29:20) - Sales volumes (00:33:49) - Brand performances (00:39:40) - Evs (00:41:07) - Dealer growth strategies (00:42:26) - Outlook for the next 90 days Check out Edmunds and get 50% off your first 90 days here! Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#67 Former NADA Chairman shaping the car business, When will Chinese cars come to US, Will FTC ruling cost consumers and industry $35B? | Geoff Pohanka, Chairman of Pohanka Automotive Group
In this episode, I'm speaking with Geoff Pohanka, Dealer and Former NADA Chairman where we discuss his involvement in the fight against FTC overreach, the $35B potential cost of the CARS rule, buying a Tesla to experience Direct-to-consumer firsthand, when will Chinese cars come to America and much more. This episode is brought to you by: Auto Hauler Exchange - The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ AutoHaulerExchange.com CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:21) - Life after NADA (00:03:07) - The Pohanka family business (00:06:34) - Did you want to be a dealer? (00:11:24) - What have you done to excel and grow your brand? (00:14:23) - What does your role look like today? (00:20:59) - The CARS Rule (00:34:58) - What does Tesla do that is superior to the dealership model? (00:38:46) - The EV future (00:44:56) - Thoughts on China (00:48:25) - What brands are you bullish on? (00:53:22) - Will we have more or fewer dealers in 10 years? Check out Pohanka Automotive Group here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#66 Becoming the world's most famous car salesman, Getting 60M+ monthly views on TikTok/IG, How much money he makes from content, His big announcement | RussFlipsWhips, Automotive Content Creator
In this episode, I'm speaking with RussFlipsWhips, the world's most famous car salesman, where we discuss his rise in car sales Tiktok, gaining 700,000 followers and 60 million monthly views, what it's like to juggle a full-time job in car sales and content creation, can anyone make a career out of social media, his big announcement with the Car Dealership Guy and much more... This episode is brought to you by: Private Auto - The safest way to buy vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/ AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:18) - Selling cars as an 18-year old (00:13:27) - What were your aspirations? (00:15:44) - How did you get into content creation? (00:19:57) - Growth inflection points (00:22:44) - Coming up with video ideas (00:24:29) - Who’s your audience? (00:25:21) - Does your content have a significant impact on your customers coming in? (00:26:43) - What does your management think about all this? (00:28:19) - Balancing selling cars and being a full-time influencer (00:31:37) - How much do you make selling cars and the media side? (00:33:29) - Can people replicate what you’ve been able to achieve? (00:41:05) - Joining the CDG creator network (00:46:02) - How do you see your brand evolving? Check out ALL of Russ' content here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#65 How luxury dealerships make money, Selling a Lamborghini for Bitcoin, His net worth, Biggest wins and losses | CJ Wilson, Owner and GM of Porsche Fresno
In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy podcast, I'm speaking with CJ Wilson, Owner and General Manager of Porsche Fresno where we discuss his career as an MLB All-Star pitcher, Racing Miatas with Jimmy John (yes, that Jimmy John), How he acquired his first dealership from the fallout of a divorce, Selling cars for Bitcoin in 2023, and his highs and lows in the luxury car dealership business. This episode is brought to you by: AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/ Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:52) - Bitcoin (00:06:25 - CJ’s career from pro baseball to auto (00:13:51) - Experiences running a dealership (00:17:54) - Mistakes made along the way (00:21:25) - Buying a McClaren store for $700k (00:25:00) - Building a financial literacy skill (00:28:15) - Key lessons learned running a dealership (00:37:24) - Setting store goals (00:39:07) - Billionaire aspirations (00:46:42) - The real estate side of dealerships (00:51:00) - Sales revenues, scale, and leadership philosophies (01:01:53) - Wealth (01:03:51) - Hottest and coldest cars in the luxury market right now (01:08:41) - What are your thoughts on the economy? (01:15:51) - 5-year prediction for the luxury market Check out Porsche Fresno here Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#64 Selling $200M/yr of used cars, Losing money on every car but still profiting, Can he succeed where other dealerships have failed? | Eli Hanna, Dealer Principal of Hanna Cars
In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Eli Hanna, Dealer Principal of Hanna Cars where we discuss: Selling his first car behind a service shop, expanding his independent car dealership business into the Florida used car market, whether he can succeed in the same location where another dealership failed and much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:45) - Eli’s career and background (00:05:51) - Launching a dealership (00:07:24)- Sales numbers today (00:09:23) - Scaling to 600 units (00:11:29) - Eli’s business model (00:13:24) - Who is your target market? (00:16:12) - Financing the company (00:16:52) - What’s your outlook for 2024? (00:17:43) - How did you get lenders early on and how are you experiencing lending today? (00:20:02) - Where do you wholesale inventory? (00:21:38) - How are you marketing? (00:22:04) - Expanding into Florida (00:24:02) - Projected revenue (00:25:43) - Have you considered Franchising? (00:26:16) - What are your biggest challenges right now? (00:27:27) - Plans for the future (00:27:58) - How did you come across CDG? (00:39:39) - What’s your outlook for the independent dealer? Check out Hanna Cars here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#63 Crushing 70M+ vehicle recalls, From infantry officer to chief executive officer, Technology fatigue in the car business | Ryan Maher, CEO of BizzyCar
In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Ryan Maher, CEO of BizzyCar where we discuss: the looming public safety threat of 70 million vehicles affected by automotive recalls, how the tough months in the dealership business during covid inspired the creation of his company, his journey from infantry officer to chief executive officer and much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Private Auto - The safest way to buy vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/ CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform BizzyCar - BizzyCar Delivers Service Revenue by Automating Recals. Learn more @ https://www.bizzycar.com/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Links: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:05:34) - Growing up in the dealer business (00:08:18) - Ryan’s military career (00:14:35) - Transitioning back to civilian life and launching BizzyCar (00:17:43) - Are recalls rising overall? (00:25:42) - Recalls 101 (00:30:46) - How are dealers using your platform handling recalls today? (00:44:42) - How do you think about your impact on the industry? (00:52:40) - What has the entrepreneurial journey been like for BizzyCar? Check out BizzyCar here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#62 Leadership masterclass from world's #1 Honda Dealer, Pushing $1 Billion in sales, the birth of the 24-hr service center | Brian Benstock, Partner & General Manager/VP of Paragon Honda
In this episode, I'm speaking with Brian Benstock, Partner and General Manager of Paragon Honda & Acura where we discuss: his rise in the New York automotive industry and becoming the #1 Honda dealership in the world, the wild success of his 24-hour service center, how leasing could be the salvation to the affordability problem, his strategy to mentor and develop his employees in the dealership business, what it takes to keep up with Brian Benstock and much more. This episode is brought to you by: Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/ AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/ Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:12) - Paragon’s delivery and pick-up strategy (00:05:11) - Brian’s early career and family life (00:15:30) - Brian’s leadership style (00:21:24) - Who has had a significant impact on your career? (00:23:15) - What does a typical day look like for you? (00:25:06) - Who are the 6-8 people you surround yourself with? (00:29:31) - Do you think the opportunity to become a partner at a dealership still exists today? (00:32:10) - What is it like operating in your showroom and hitting these sales numbers? (00:37:43) - Online vs. in-person trends (00:40:34) - What have you done on the tech side to meet the consumer's needs? (00:48:06) - How have your efforts impacted profitability? (00:52:03) - How do you set your store goals? (00:55:09) - How do you view yourself as a dealer? (00:56:48) - How do you acquire inventory? (01:01:51) - What are your thoughts on the market? (01:04:58) - What are you seeing in consumer health? (01:07:10) - Is affordability the biggest issue right now? (01:09:55) - Solving incentive problems (01:11:25) - Thoughts on AI (01:13:39) - What keeps you up at night? (01:15:45) - Taking advantage of social media and being authentic Check out Paragon here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#61 Accounting mistakes costing dealers thousands, $800k stolen by a dealership controller, EV mandates clashing with consumer demand | Frank O'Brien, Partner at Withum
In this episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast, I'm speaking with Frank O'Brien, a partner at Withum. We discuss financial fraud in the dealership business, how dealerships can attract and retain technician talent, untapped warranty reimbursements from auto manufacturers, the clashing reality of EV mandates and consumer demand + much more. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by: Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at https://www.carscommerce.inc/ CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Withum - Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to Be in a Position of Strength in today’s complex business environment. Learn more @ https://www.withum.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:44) - Frank’s career in automotive fraud (00:03:16) - What’s your outlook on the market today? (00:13:00) - Technician shortages (00:17:30) - What is your specialty in this industry? (00:19:27) - What’s the dollar exposure for dealers in these reimbursements? (00:23:24) - Are there other opportunities like this for dealerships? (00:25:35) - Where do you see trends for dealership profitability going from here? (00:32:46) - Do you see any threats to the industry on the horizon? (00:34:17) - What’s your outlook for 2024? Check out Withum here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#60 Building the future of automotive retailing AI, Pivoting from fashion to cars, Acquiring a tech company in Eastern Europe | Devin Daly, CEO of Impel
In this episode, I'm speaking with Devin Daly, CEO of Impel This episode is brought to you by: Private Auto - The safest way to buy vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/ Valvoline - Go beyond the traditional supplier-dealer partnership today by visiting https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:23) - Devin’s career and Building Impel (00:03:55) - Pivoting to auto (00:06:28) - Did you come from an entrepreneurial family? (00:07:15) - The evolution of the company (00:09:21) - How are dealers using this data? (00:11:36) - What are you building to help dealerships keep evolving? (00:13:13) - Thoughts on AI (00:21:48) - Where are you seeing the biggest impact from AI implementation? (00:23:18) - Raising $130m and acquiring a business in the Republic of Georgia (00:26:59) - Where are we headed with AI and the dealership? (00:28:12) - Where are you seeing customers the most frustrated with the dealership experience? (00:29:15) - What role does licensing play in all of this work? (00:30:52) - Partnering with ACV Auctions (00:33:35) - What do the next 5 years look like for our industry? (00:34:46) - What is your most popular product? (00:35:59) - Having a high bar for acquisitions (00:37:20) - “Oh sh*t” moments (00:38:22) - What products are most important to manufacturers right now Check out Impel here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#59 Becoming a #1 Volvo Dealership, $300M in revenue from "throwaway" brands, The "Great EV Recession" | Matthew Haiken, President of Prestige Collection Auto Group
In this episode, I'm speaking with Matthew Haiken, President of Prestige Collection Auto Group This episode is brought to you by: Stream Companies - Full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled ad agency doing the ordinary extraordinarily well. Learn more @ https://www.streamcompanies.com/ CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:13) - Matt’s background and career (00:09:45) - NADA Dealer Candidate Academy (00:11:13) - Matt’s operating philosophy (00:12:52) - Moving away from selling Kia’s (00:15:20) - What’s changed the most in your business over the past decade to successfully operate multiple locations? (00:17:10) - What are you seeing in terms of consumer demand? (00:18:25) - How have your margins changed over the past year? (00:20:04) - Why did you become a Polestar dealer? (00:22:42) - How do you define the agency model? (00:27:03) - How are you making money here? (00:33:00) - Are you considering adding a service arm or selling used? (00:33:51) - Why are you bullish on Polestar? (00:35:07) - Does the agency model have a future in the US? (00:39:08) - Where do you think the market conditions will be as we go into 2024? (00:41:42) - What steps are you taking to insulate yourself? (00:44:13) - What’s next for you in terms of acquisitions? (00:44:49) - Will your kids get into auto? Check out Prestige Collection Auto Group here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#58 Leadership lessons from working for Elon, Raising millions to reimagine the dealership, why he has no exit plan | Jay Vijayan, CEO of Tekion
In this episode, I'm speaking with Jay Vijayan, CEO of Tekion This episode is brought to you by: Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Valvoline - Go beyond the traditional supplier-dealer partnership today by visiting https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:34) - Jay’s time at Tesla and career in tech (00:07:51) - Coming up with the idea for Tekion (00:11:26) - What did you learn from Elon? (00:13:45) - Tekion’s first deal (00:25:29) - What were the most shocking things you learned about dealership accounting systems? (00:33:27) - Putting a DMS into the cloud (00:36:43) - Are you building tech around current processes or are you looking ahead? (00:40:27) - What do your feedback loops look like? (00:42:02) - Tekion’s time owning dealerships and closing them down (00:49:54) - What does it take to create a genuine connection with an audience? (00:51:00) - Does anything keep you up at night? (00:52:46) - What are the biggest opportunities for Tekion? (00:58:52) - What’s the big-picture vision for your company? Check out Tekion here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#57 Evolving the dealership service department, Adapting to a possible EV future, Getting acquired by a $7T company | Chad Brooks, Head of Dealer Development at Valvoline Global
In this episode, I'm speaking with Chad Brooks, Head of Dealer Development at Valvoline Global This episode is brought to you by: CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Valvoline Global - Go beyond the traditional supplier-dealer partnership today by visiting https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:01) - Experiences at NADA (00:04:05) - Valvoline getting into F1 (00:05:40) - Chad’s career (00:07:50) - How is Valvoline reinventing itself in the age of EVs? (00:10:56) - Valvoline’s entry into the tech business (00:15:12) - What are the biggest opportunities for service providers? (00:17:34) - How does Valvoline perceive EVs and what are you seeing dealerships do with regards to EVs? (00:22:26) - Valvoline’s future after being acquired Check out Valvoline here - https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/ Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#56 Building a $2B car auction app, "Gambling for car dealers", Artificial intelligence vs. actual intelligence | Joe Neiman, Co-Founder of ACV Auctions
In this episode, I'm speaking with Joe Neiman, Co-Founder of ACV Auctions This episode is brought to you by: Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Stream Companies - Full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled ad agency doing the ordinary extraordinarily well. Learn more @ https://www.streamcompanies.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:06) - Joe’s early career in auto (00:09:21) - Building ACV Auctions (00:17:16) - Have we lost the thrill of the in-person auction? (00:20:41) - What are the major issues with online auctions? (00:23:02) - How do we evolve the online car auction? (00:25:07) - Will you launch an auction platform? (00:26:40) - Having the entrepreneurial mindset (00:34:01) - Why did you leave ACV? (00:38:31) - What’s happening in the wholesale market right now? (00:48:16) - Thoughts on the current market (00:51:04) - Parting advice Check out Dealer Club Get in touch with Joe: [email protected] Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#55 Double-digit increases in dealership auto theft, Adapting to the future of cars, Losing $10,000 a year in keys | Steve Baucom, President of KEYper Systems
In this episode, I'm speaking with Steve Baucom, President of KEYper Systems This episode is brought to you by: Private Auto - The safest way to buy and sell vehicles privately. Use code ‘CDG’ to list your car for free. Learn more @ https://privateauto.com/ Valvoline - Go beyond the traditional supplier-dealer partnership today by visiting https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:40) - Steve’s journey into auto (00:04:37) - Realizing the major key problem in the industry (00:06:25) - Financing the business (00:07:12) - Did you have a gut feeling of ‘this is going to work’? (00:08:35) - How were you able to build this 35 years ago? (00:11:28) - Is there still opportunity for niche hardware businesses in the car industry? (00:13:24) - How do you innovate against the possibility that keys will go away? (00:15:33) - What is the practical next step for keys? (00:17:20) - How do you maintain a culture of innovation? (00:19:38) - What does your product look like today? (00:21:48) - Selling the company (00:25:52) - Is there competition in this space? (00:29:04) - What theft trends do you see at dealerships? (00:32:39) - Crazy stories Check out Keyper here. Get in touch by emailing [email protected] Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#54 Leadership secrets of the world's #1 Toyota Dealer, Selling 25,000 cars a year, Lease returns crashing in 2024? | Doug Eroh, President and GM of Longo Toyota
In this episode, I'm speaking with Doug Eroh, President and GM of Longo Toyota This episode is brought to you by: Car Dealership Guy Industry Job Board - Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive. Find your next role—or start hiring today—at CDGJobs.com. Fullpath - Discover Automotive's Leading Customer Data and Experience Platform. Learn more @ https://fullpath.com/ AutoFi - AutoFi empowers your team with digital retail technology that accelerates the sale. Learn more @ https://www.autofi.com/cdg/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:06) - Doug’s exposure to auto (00:04:39) - Is LA the largest Toyota market in the world? (00:05:29) - Making the jump from corporate to the retail side of auto (00:07:09) - Officing in the dealership showroom & experiences as the GM of Longo Toyota (00:12:37) - Longo’s scale (00:14:00) - The difference between Doug’s roles at Longo and Penske (00:14:58) - Longo’s structure, amenities, and talent recruitment (00:23:48) - Longo’s tech stack & AI implementations (00:32:13) - What metrics are you tracking daily? (00:37:32) - Thoughts on affordability & leasing (00:42:41) - Is Toyota hurting itself for being undersupplied & staying away from EVs? (00:51:02) - Do you have any concerns right now? (00:54:34) - Where are the opportunities right now? (00:57:36) - How are you attracting talent? Check out Longo Toyota here or get in touch. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#53 Solving the aging used car bubble, Saving dealers $48M with accurate appraisals, From porter to General Manager in 6 years | Brian Kramer, EVP of Cars Commerce
In this episode, I'm speaking with Brian Kramer, EVP of Cars Commerce This episode is brought to you by: Valvoline - Valvoline can help drive your service department by streamlining operations and increasing revenue with hands-on technician and sales advisor training, state-of-the-art service lane technology, and a robust preventive maintenance chemical program. They even have programs to help you sell more cars and increase trade-ins! Learn more @ https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/dealership Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at carscommerce.inc Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:47) - Brian’s career in auto: Lot Porter to GM (00:10:00) - Launching the VR Car buying experience (00:14:46) - Making the jump to evangelize Accu-Trade (00:19:05) - How is this tool different from legacy options? (00:22:13) - What are the biggest changes we will see in used cars over the next year? (00:27:41) - Is the trade-in process broken? (00:33:45) - Consumer’s ability to appraise a vehicle (00:37:23) - Does it matter where a car comes from when appraising? (00:40:19) - What’s your hope for the evolution of the used car business? Check out Cars Commerce here. Connect with Brian on LinkedIn and check out his YouTube channel. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#52 Building a $6B car sales software empire, Electric vehicle revolution's slow start, China's strategy entering US car market | Brian MacDonald, CEO of CDK Global
In this episode, I'm speaking with Brian MacDonald, CEO of CDK Global This episode is brought to you by: Valvoline - Valvoline can help drive your service department by streamlining operations and increasing revenue with hands-on technician and sales advisor training, state-of-the-art service lane technology, and a robust preventive maintenance chemical program. They even have programs to help you sell more cars and increase trade-ins! Learn more @ https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/dealership CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:52) - Brian’s career in the industry (00:02:23) - Experiences at CDK and transitioning to Sunoco (00:09:26) - Evs & the future of the dealership (00:13:32) - What services and technology are you offering dealerships? (00:16:40) - How are you staying ahead of dealership needs? (00:18:03) - What are your top focuses today? (00:20:48) - How are you approaching integrating all dealership products into one solution? (00:22:42) - What are you looking for when considering an acquisition? (00:25:51) - Thoughts on AI (00:29:46) - At what point does a dealership typically adopt software like CDK? (00:32:41) - Are you seeing SaaS fatigue in dealerships? (00:35:30) - Will we see some international OEM players enter the US market over the next decade? (00:38:51) - Plans for the NADA conference (00:40:09) - How can people get in touch? Check out CDK Global here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
#51 Secret weapon to dealership efficiency, Providing payment transparency to car shoppers, Solving dealership chokepoints, Lessons from building and selling a video game | David Domm, Co-Founder and CEO at Carmatic
In this episode, I'm speaking with David Domm, CEO at Carmatic. This episode is brought to you by: Cars Commerce - The platform to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at carscommerce.inc Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:38) - David’s early career in gaming (00:08:53) - How did you become the CPO at Cars.com? (00:11:01) - What insights led you to found Carmatic? (00:15:13) - What is the current buying experience and how are you changing that? (00:28:16) - Does this risk anyone’s job at a traditional dealership? (00:30:30) - How are you able to provide the correct payment to the customer if you are not the bank? (00:34:52) - Would Carmatic make digital retailing tools obsolete? (00:42:33) - Carmatic’s early results (00:45:07) - What is the result of mass adoption of this product? Check out Carmatic here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is meant for informational purposes only and should not be used as a basis for investment decisions.
#50 Rise of Lease Here Pay Here dealerships, Innovating payment affordability, Subprime consumer health check | Tim Lawrence, CEO of LHPH Capital
In this episode, I'm speaking with Tim Lawrence, CEO of LHPH Capital This episode is brought to you by: CDK Global - Empowering dealers with the tools and technology to build deeper customer relationships. Learn more @ https://www.cdkglobal.com/dealership-xperience-platform AutoFi - AutoFi's powerful platform helps dealers sell smarter, not harder—online and in the showroom. Learn more at autofi.com/cdg Interested in advertising with CarDealershipGuy? Drop us a line here Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:24) - Tim’s previous life as a marriage and family counselor (00:07:11) - What is Lease Here Pay Here? (00:08:56) - How is this different from Buy Here Pay Here? (00:11:01) - How does this model impact dealers and consumers? (00:12:51) - How do you and the dealer make money? (00:15:32) - What are you seeing from consumers right now? (00:16:56) - Thoughts on EVs (00:19:13) - How do you break into a new market? (00:21:02) - Who else is doing this model? (00:21:53) - What’s the IRR for a dealer on one of these loans? (00:23:07) - Who’s accountable for service in this model? (00:24:13) - Are we headed to a world where most people will not own their vehicles? (00:29:01) - How are you being impacted by interest rates? (00:31:31) - Will used car leasing ever go mainstream? Check out LHPH here. Check out the website for more (https://dealershipguy.com) and follow me on X @GuyDealership! (https://x.com/guydealership) This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.