UCDP Ep #71 - Modern Dealership Reconditioning w/ Randy Kobat

In this episode of the podcast, Zach sits down with Randy Kobat, President and CEO of Repair On Demand, a provider of innovative reconditioning solutions for dealerships. They discuss how reconditioning has become a critical factor in dealership success, the common inefficiencies that slow down the recon process, and how technology can help dealers cut turnaround time and maximize profitability. Randy shares lessons from his extensive background—leading brands like vAuto, Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, and HomeNet—along with key insights from his decade at Cox Automotive. They also touch on how EVs bring new challenges, such as battery diagnostics, and how a streamlined recon workflow can give dealers a competitive edge.

Below are the main questions Zach asks Randy, along with approximate timestamps:

Q) How did you get started in automotive tech, and what led you to your current role?
Q) From scaling vAuto and Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, what lessons stand out for dealers today?
Q) Why should dealers rethink how they manage their reconditioning process?
Q) Where do you see the biggest inefficiencies in dealership recon right now?
Q) How can dealers fix the communication breakdowns between sales, service, and third-party vendors?
Q) What are the main financial and operational benefits of a streamlined recon process?
Q) How does Repair On Demand help dealers eliminate recon inefficiencies?
Q) Which innovations in recon technology are most exciting to you?
Q) Any key takeaways from your time at Cox Automotive that you’ve brought to Repair On Demand?
Q) With EVs on the rise, what new recon challenges do dealerships face (like battery diagnostics)?
Q) What’s next for Repair On Demand in the coming 12 to 24 months?
Q) How can listeners reach out if they want to connect with you?

Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcast
Read the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/randy-kobat