UCDP Ep #72 – Automotive BDC & Fixed Operations with John Traver

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with John Traver, the founder of Traver Technologies and TraverConnect, to explore the evolution of the BDC concept. John shares insights on launching TraverConnect, transforming service-lane interactions into revenue opportunities, and balancing people with technology to deliver an exceptional customer experience. This conversation dives into leadership lessons, changing customer expectations, and the future impact of AI and automation on automotive BDC.

Automotive BDC & Fixed Operations

Q) Take us back to how you got in the auto industry and your origin story?
Q) So talk about the early days of BDC adoption and how that went—were dealers skeptical?
Q) So what were some of the biggest operational challenges as you scaled out your business?
Q) And how did the different services evolve that you offer at your company as technology and dealership operations got more complex?
Q) So what separates a top-performing dealership using your BDC service versus one that’s not as organized?
Q) How do you strike that balance between people, process, and technology?
Q) How have customer expectations in the service department changed over the last 10 years, and how should dealers adapt?
Q) What do you see as the biggest technology gaps today in fixed ops or BDCs?
Q) Any thoughts on AI and some of the automation coming to market right now?
Q) As we look to 2025 and dealers becoming more cost-conscious, where should they focus to drive the highest ROI?
Q) What are you most excited about in the next year for Traver Connect and the automotive space generally?

Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcast
Read the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/john-traver-2025