Car Dealership Guy Podcast

From Leading the #1 Chevy Store to Rescuing a Broken Dealership—Unlocking The Secrets of Success | Dorian Jimenez, Dealer Operator of Classic OKC

Jan 7, 2025

Dorian Jimenez, Dealer Principal at Classic Chevrolet, shares his inspiring journey from leading the top Chevy store to revitalizing a struggling dealership. He discusses the remarkable turnaround of a Texas dealer through community engagement and strong leadership. Dorian emphasizes the importance of mentorship and relationships in overcoming challenges. He also touches on the innovative 'fleetail' approach, merging fleet and retail sales, and delves into the challenges of recruiting in today's competitive market.

45:24

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Dorian Jimenez

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Quick takeaways

Dorian Jimenez's journey illustrates the importance of adaptability and resilience in overcoming challenges within the automotive industry.

Creating a supportive and empowering workplace culture enhances employee morale, leading to improved customer satisfaction and service excellence.

Active community engagement and charitable initiatives integrated into dealership operations foster gratitude while reinforcing local relationships and a positive reputation.

Deep dives

Dorian Jimenez's Unique Background and Career Shift

Dorian Jimenez has a diverse background that uniquely shapes his approach to automotive sales. Initially pursuing a pre-med degree and dental school, his life took a turn when his father's battle with cancer prompted him to leave school and find work to support his family. This led to a career in automotive sales, which he initially dismissed due to existing stereotypes. However, after gaining entry into the industry, he quickly shifted perceptions by becoming a successful dealer principal at Classic Chevrolet, showcasing how adaptability can lead to unexpected success.

Intro

2min

Journeys of Resilience and Growth

12min

Overcoming Challenges in the Car Dealership Journey

5min

Reviving a Texas Dealership: Leadership & Community

8min

Fostering Family and Growth in Dealership Leadership

3min

Empowerment and Growth in Dealership Culture

8min

Navigating Change and Recruitment in the Automotive Industry

2min

Fleetail Success: Merging Fleet and Retail

6min

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Dorian Jimenez, Dealer Principal at Classic Chevrolet, where we discuss: Going from leading the #1 Chevy store in America to rescuing a broken dealership. How one small Texas dealership in the ’90s minted 10 Dealer Principals. Why his wife secretly enrolled in the NADA academy, and much more.

This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:

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3. CDG Recruiting - Building on the success of my industry job board, I’m launching CDG Recruiting — a more hands-on, personalized automotive recruiting service. Our team has decades of experience and has successfully placed over 1,000 roles in the automotive industry. So if you’re ready to find your next rockstar employee, try CDG Recruiting today by visiting @ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/

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Topics:

00:00 - Intro

02:52 - Why did Dorian switch from studying medicine?

04:42 - What does it take to do well in the car business?

13:32 - How did Dorian become the boss of a dealership?