Car Dealership Guy Podcast

How Dealers Are Battling the Car Theft Epidemic | Industry Spotlight

Nov 24, 2024

Aaron Zeigler, President and CEO of Zeigler Automotive Group, and Melissa High, Vice President at LoJack by Solera, dive into the rising car theft crisis. They discuss innovative security solutions adopted by auto dealers, including advanced tracking technology that enhances vehicle recovery. The conversation highlights collaboration between dealerships and law enforcement, emphasizing new apps that streamline recovery processes. Aaron shares insights on lessons learned from other auto groups, tackling the sophisticated tactics of modern thieves in a rapidly evolving landscape.

27:09

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Episode guests

Melissa High

Aaron Zeigler

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The dramatic rise in auto theft during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in dealerships, leading to losses exceeding $4 million.

Implementing advanced vehicle tracking technology like LoJack and enhancing security protocols transformed dealerships into more secure environments, significantly reducing theft incidents.

Deep dives

The Rise of Auto Theft During COVID

The podcast addresses the significant increase in auto theft experienced by Ziegler Auto Group, which saw a dramatic spike from almost no thefts in two decades to 72 cars stolen in just six months during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge resulted in over $4 million loss, highlighting vulnerabilities in the business due to law enforcement restrictions in Illinois, where criminal consequences are minimal, and car chases are prohibited. The criminals became increasingly bold, even stealing keys in front of employees and police with no fear of repercussions. This alarming trend put the dealership's viability at stake, emphasizing the urgent need for a strategy to combat the escalating theft problem.

Intro

2min

Combatting Car Theft: Innovative Solutions for Dealers

3min

Innovative Solutions to Combat Car Theft

3min

The Evolution of Vehicle Theft and Advanced Recovery Solutions

2min

Streamlining Vehicle Recovery: The Role of Technology in Thwarting Car Theft

1min

Innovative Strategies to Combat Sophisticated Car Theft

2min

The Rising Threat of Vehicle Fraud and Its Implications

2min

Innovative Solutions for Vehicle Theft Prevention

5min

Record-Breaking Pit Stops and Vehicle Protection Technology

2min

10.

Evolving Technology: The Future of LoJack's Law Enforcement App

2min

11.

Collaborative Strategies Against the Car Theft Epidemic

2min

Welcome to Industry Spotlight, a new show on the Car Dealership Guy Podcast hosted by Sam D'Arc. In each episode, Sam highlights the most compelling dealerships and innovative companies in automotive, diving into key trends, best practices, and insights from those shaping the future of automotive retail.

Today, Sam sits down with Melissa High, Vice President at @LoJack, and Aaron Zeigler, President at Zeigler Automotive Group, to discuss the winning strategies for car dealers to address the shifting threat of car theft on their lots.

This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by LoJack by Solera.

LoJack by Solera - LoJack has transformed vehicle security with cutting-edge tracking systems and real-time law enforcement integration. Its innovative solutions provide dealerships and consumers with peace of mind by enabling rapid vehicle recovery and deterring sophisticated theft tactics. Learn more @ https://www.lojack.com/

Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/

Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com

Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu

Topics:

00:00 - Intro

00:28 - What caused the auto theft crisis?

02:41 - How does theft impact dealership businesses?

03:04 - What solutions have been implemented to combat theft?

04:05 - What did you learn from other auto groups?

05:08 - What technological advances help prevent theft?

07:27 - How effective is LoJack in vehicle recovery?

10:58 - How does LoJack collaborate with law enforcement?