The King of Staten Island: Real Strategies to Win Against Deceptive Pricing, Stairsteps & Amazon | Marcello Sciarrino, Co-Owner of Island Auto Group

Dec 11, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Marcello Sciarrino, Co-owner of Island Auto Group and a champion of transparency in the automotive industry, shares his journey from porter to multi-dealership owner. He highlights the importance of family-run dealerships standing out against national chains and stresses the value of service retention. Marcello critiques deceptive pricing strategies like stair-steps and advocates for genuine partnerships with customers, placing emphasis on a transparent car purchasing experience. He also delves into the rising importance of hybrid vehicles and the future of automotive technology.

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ANECDOTE

From Mortgaged House To Multi-Store Group

Marcello described building Island Auto Group from two stores to 14 new-car dealerships and six used stores concentrated around Staten Island.
He recounted mortgaging his house to partner with Josh Aronson and buy their first Jeep store, which launched their growth.

ADVICE

Hire For Winning Attitude First

Hire people who want to win and align with your culture before you try to teach process.
Train relentlessly on process but focus first on selecting team members who will execute it.

INSIGHT

Service Availability Beats Longer Store Hours

Marcello closed stores on Sundays and shortened hours to improve employee work-life balance and retention.
He argued availability via BDC and digital channels can replace physical hours to serve customers.

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