Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Sam Mahrouq, CEO of Ikon Technologies where we discuss: Scaling his auto group to 11 dealerships and millions in sales, How an "ah ha" moment at the dealership led him to found a $55M revenue tech company and much more.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:1. Uber for Business - With Central, you can request a ride on behalf of your customers even if they don’t have the Uber app. If you’re ready to reduce the costs associated with maintaining shuttles and limit the liability of loaner vehicles, it's time to partner with Uber. Visit @ t.uber.com/CDGauto today2. Lotlinx - Get the best possible market advantage on every vehicle transaction. Optimize operations and boost profits using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Learn more @ https://lotlinx.com/3. Ikon Technologies - Ikon Technologies was founded by dealers, for dealers, to solve the daily challenges your dealership faces. Our no\-cost Lot Management Platform, with Find the Car, Find the Keys™ technology, makes finding inventory easy, while our patented Smart Marketing platform and Dealer-branded Connect app drives customer loyalty and drive revenue growth back to your dealership. Schedule a demo today to see how Ikon Technologies can help drive your dealership’s success by visiting https://hubs.la/Q02WVYbV0🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bitesSubscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bitesSubscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bitesNeed help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.comInterested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3SuismuTopics:00:00: Intro01:22: What is the story behind the ranch?03:50: What was Sam's early life and entrepreneurial beginning like?07:07: How did Sam's automotive journey unfold?09:34: How did Sam scale his dealerships?13:28: What led to the launch of Ikon Technologies?21:05: What is Icon's white label solution?37:52: What future innovations and AI integrations are planned?39:38: What are the closing thoughts and personal insights from Sam?Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/My Socials:X ➤ x.com/GuyDealershipInstagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealershipLinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyThreads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguyFacebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com#EntrepreneurshipJourney #CarDealershipBusiness #EffectiveTeamManagement

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I’m speaking with Brian Kramer, EVP at Cars Commerce, where we discuss: why dealers are losing 70% of trade-ins for every new car they sell, the future of data ownership for dealers, how Brian and his team are working to tackle—and beat—online vehicle price manipulation, and much more.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:1. Dealer Pay - Designed to increase productivity and customer retention, offering a dealer-specific payment acceptance solution backed by over 25 years of experience as a trusted payments partner for dealerships across the United States. To learn more, contact Julie @ julie@dealer-pay.com or call 636-442-4901.2. Pacer - Transform your dealership with Pacer, the all-in-one platform designed to optimize inventory, speed up sales, and boost profitability—all powered by real-time data and analytics. Don’t miss out: Be one of the first 50 dealers to join the waitlist by the end of NADA and unlock free shipping for an entire year. Terms and conditions apply. Visit pacer.co/freeSee Brian Kramer at NADA 2025, send him a DM on LinkedIn to schedule a meeting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkramer1/And don’t miss Cars Commerce at the big show, booth #1426, schedule a live demo here: https://www.carscommerce.inc/nada/Check out the 2024 Auto Market Year-In-Review report, packed with data and insights on the trends and shifts in the auto industry in 2024 here: https://www.carscommerce.inc/insights-report/🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bitesSubscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bitesSubscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bitesNeed help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.comInterested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3SuismuTopics:00:00: Intro01:21: What problems come up when buying cars?01:47: What do dealers complain about at auctions?02:26: How do CarMax and buying cars in bulk change the market?04:01: What are the main ways to set prices and compete?05:03: How do customers’ experiences and dealers' actions connect?10:26: What rules are hard to follow, and what can be done?16:33: How can negative value in trade-in cars be fixed?17:17: What’s happening now in buying used cars?20:16: What problems do dealers have, and what can help?Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/My Socials:X ➤ x.com/GuyDealershipInstagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealershipLinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyThreads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguyFacebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.comThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.#DealershipStrategies #DataDrivenDecisions #TransparentPricing

Welcome to Industry Spotlight—a focused series hosted by Sam D’Arc, highlighting standout dealerships and innovative companies, and exploring the trends driving success in today’s automotive market. Today, Sam sits down with David Steinberg, CEO and Founder of Foureyes.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by Foureyes:Foureyes - No one buys a car because AI bombards them about test drives. They buy when they find the right match on your lot. That's why Foureyes built inventory-based text messaging -- to match your buyers to your vehicles. It sends updates about price changes, new arrivals, and suggested alternatives for vehicles your prospects want. Foureyes' AI even answers those nitty-gritty questions about trim levels, engine specs, heated seats, and more. Try it for free or Book time with us at NADA (booth #3563)! https://calendly.com/foureyesevents/nada-2025?month=2025-01Try Foureyes free for 30 days: https://lps.foureyes.io/pe-texting-demo?utm_source=cdg&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cdg_podcast_25q1Arizona dealer data laws discussed in the episode: https://lps.foureyes.io/data-rights-resources?utm_source=cdg&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cdg_podcast_25q1🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bitesSubscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bitesSubscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bitesNeed help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.comInterested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3SuismuTopics:00:00: Intro00:05 – Who is David Steinberg, and what is Foureyes?00:36 – What are the biggest challenges in automotive sales reporting?01:36 – Why are the sales process and AI so important in the automotive industry?03:48 – What is match rate, and how does it impact sales performance?06:03 – How can AI improve sales outcomes for dealerships?08:45 – In what ways does AI streamline dealership operations?10:20 – How does AI enhance customer engagement in automotive sales?12:05 – What are the biggest challenges in improving sales conversions?22:24 – How do data ownership and privacy issues affect the automotive industry?Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/My Socials:X ➤ x.com/GuyDealershipInstagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealershipLinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyThreads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguyFacebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.comThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.#AutomotiveSalesInnovation #AIinDealerships #CustomerMatchRate

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I'm speaking with Peter Kelly, CEO of OPENLANE where we discuss a breakdown on how the wholesale car market finished off 2025, how volume trends are bucking expectations, and the key trends and challenges facing the segment in 2025.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:1. OPENLANE - The world’s leading online dealer marketplace for used cars, bringing you exclusive inventory, simple transactions, and better outcomes. Learn more @ https://www.openlane.com/2. Uber for Business - With Central, you can request a ride on behalf of your customers even if they don’t have the Uber app. If you’re ready to reduce the costs associated with maintaining shuttles and limit the liability of loaner vehicles, it's time to partner with Uber. Visit @ t.uber.com/CDGauto today3. Dealer-Pay - Designed to increase productivity and customer retention, offering a dealer-specific payment acceptance solution backed by over 25 years of experience as a trusted payments partner for dealerships across the United States. To learn more, contact Julie @ julie@dealer-pay.com or call 636-442-4901.🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bitesSubscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bitesSubscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bitesNeed help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.comInterested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3SuismuTopics:00:13 How last year’s predictions played out02:14 OPENLANE’s 2024 milestones03:15 Leadership lessons from the rebrand06:21 Advice for dealers in 202512:40 Trends impacting dealers next year16:37 Tools with the biggest impact19:52 OPENLANE’s focus at NADACheck out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/My Socials:X ➤ x.com/GuyDealershipInstagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealershipLinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyThreads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguyFacebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.comThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.#AutomotiveIndustryTrends #DigitalMarketplace #LeadershipInsights

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Collins, Shop Foreman at Braman Miami, to discuss life as a Master Technician, his journey rising through the ranks of a dealership shop, strategies for retaining technician talent, the real pay ranges technicians can achieve and much more.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by:1. Ikon Technologies - Ikon Technologies was founded by dealers, for dealers, to solve the daily challenges your dealership faces. Our no-cost Lot Management Platform, with Find the Car, Find the Keys™ technology, makes finding inventory easy, while our patented Smart Marketing platform and Dealer-branded Connect app drives customer loyalty and drive revenue growth back to your dealership. Schedule a demo today to see how Ikon Technologies can help drive your dealership’s success by visiting @ https://hubs.la/Q02WVYbV02. OPENLANE - The world’s leading online dealer marketplace for used cars, bringing you exclusive inventory, simple transactions, and better outcomes. Learn more @ https://www.openlane.com/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/🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bitesSubscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bitesSubscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bitesNeed help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.comInterested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3SuismuTopics:03:13: What is the BMW STEP Program about?05:24: What are the differences between Independent and OEM Certifications?10:06: What does the future hold for automotive careers?14:00: How do compensation and career growth relate in the automotive industry?20:31: How does shop culture impact teamwork?21:34: How can teamwork be incentivized in the workplace?23:33: What role does leadership play in successful operations?25:02: What are the pathways to becoming a Service Director?34:47: What are the challenges and solutions in the automotive industry?Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/My Socials:X ➤ x.com/GuyDealershipInstagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealershipLinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyThreads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguyFacebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.comThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.#AutomotiveCareerJourney #DealerTrainingPrograms #PerformanceBasedPaySystems

Welcome to Industry Spotlight—a focused series hosted by Sam D’Arc, highlighting standout dealerships and innovative companies, and exploring the trends driving success in today’s automotive market. Today, Sam sits down with Jay Healey, CMO of Healey Brothers Automotive Group, and Justin Friend, SVP of Dealers United.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by Dealers United:Dealers United – Specializing in Social, SEM, and SEO, Dealers United is the premier digital marketing partner for car dealerships looking to dominate digital and drive more car sales. Learn more @ https://www.dealersunited.com/?utm_source=cardealershipguy&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=industry-spotlight-podcast-jan25🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bitesSubscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bitesSubscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bitesNeed help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.comInterested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3SuismuTopics:00:00: Intro00:39 Who are the Healey Brothers Auto Group?02:12 How does Healey Brothers Auto Group engage with the community and contribute to charity?03:53 How does the company differentiate its brand and maintain customer loyalty?04:53 Why is the human touch important in car sales?06:06 How does the company leverage social media and technology?08:20 What are internal influencers, and how do they contribute to marketing strategies?11:23 What challenges and successes has the company experienced in social media campaigns?20:54 How are ad formats and strategies evolving in the industry?24:57 Why are authenticity and standards important in marketing?Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/My Socials:X ➤ x.com/GuyDealershipInstagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealershipLinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyThreads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguyFacebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.comThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.#AutoDealershipInnovation #DigitalMarketingStrategies #CustomerLoyaltyInAutoIndustry

Tasso Roumeliotis, CEO of Numa and a trailblazing entrepreneur, dives into the challenges facing auto dealerships today. He sheds light on how AI can tackle service department 'heat cases' that threaten profitability. The discussion also features insights on the critical role of AI in enhancing customer interactions and streamlining appointment management. Tasso shares his journey of transforming customer experiences in the auto industry while navigating the complexities of electric vehicles and evolving dealership dynamics.

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.

Findley Ewing IV, CEO of Ewing Automotive Group, discusses how advanced technology is revolutionizing the automotive industry. He highlights the significant impact of training on customer service and shares insights on integrating robots into service departments. The conversation emphasizes how robotics streamline operations and enhance technician productivity. Ewing also explores the shift to a customer-centric approach, revealing innovative strategies to improve efficiency and satisfaction in automotive services.

Matt Murray, CEO of Widewail, dives into the customer experience gap in car dealerships, highlighting how online reputation impacts sales. He discusses the shift towards using AI and automated tools for managing customer feedback. Insights reveal an increase in negative reviews linked to finance issues and the need for better staff training. Murray emphasizes the importance of exceptional customer service, especially with evolving perceptions around electric vehicles, urging dealers to improve communication and transparency.