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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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.
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