Car Dealership Guy Podcast

Jason Espin, an automotive technician who makes multi-point-inspection videos to build trust. Margaret Henney, VP of Marketing at CoVideo and contest judge with sharp video expertise. They discuss video techniques, technician-customer communication, judging criteria, and how dealership video workflows boost approvals and engagement. Short, practical segments on pacing, camera work, and building confidence through filmed explanations.

Annie Fallows, Head of the Navigator Platform at Capital One, leads development of digital car‑buying tools. She talks about the jump in dealer trust, why Gen Z is both loyal and financially anxious, and how better online-to-showroom handoffs and contextual AI lift conversion rates.

David Wyler, longtime dealer-group leader who just added 14 luxury brands to his portfolio. Ryan Rohrman, multi-generational dealer executive scaling operations and KPIs. Cuyler Owens, reputation-tech CEO using millions of reviews for customer intelligence. Scott Painter, TrueCar founder now steering a take-private and product strategy. They talk acquisitions and integration, scaling leadership and KPIs, review-driven intelligence, and pricing transparency.

George Karolis, President of The Presidio Group, an auto‑retail investment banker with deep M&A experience, breaks down why earnings quality now matters more than sky‑high multiples. He discusses who is buying and selling, why big groups keep getting bigger, tech as a valuation lever, brand and geography-driven demand, and where diligence trims value.

Today's show features: - Chris Pres, VP, Automotive Distribution of Polly - Laura Perrotta, President of NJ CAR This episode is brought to you by: Stream Companies – Stream Companies is a full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled advertising agency that drives measurable results through performance marketing, creative and content development, and proprietary AdTech solutions. Our innovative platforms, including the Retail Ready platform and Integrated Marketing Cloud, empower brands to optimize performance and accelerate growth. To learn more, visit StreamCompanies.com. Polly – Polly helps dealers turn insurance into a better customer experience and stronger deal performance. By bringing insurance directly into the car-buying journey, Polly helps dealers close more deals, move them faster, and keep buyers happier. Learn more at www.polly.co/cardealershipguy Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ https://www.twitter.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy/ Threads ➤ https://www.threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683

Ari Polakof, CEO of Flai, builds AI voice and messaging that books appointments and deeply integrates with dealer systems. Luke Sontag, Marketing & IT lead at Kissee Ford, runs ops at a multigenerational Ford store. They discuss why service calls get missed, how targeted after-hours and overflow AI can capture rollover calls, the importance of deep DMS integration, and winning staff trust for automation.

George Nenni, digital marketing expert, breaks down AI search discoverability and quick local SEO fixes. Ryan Maher, CEO of BizzyCar, explains recall-driven mobile service and how outreach boosts retention and sales. Rob Studebaker, GM of Treasure Valley Subaru, shares used-truck strategies, culture-building tactics, and his plan to scale toward 700 cars a month.

Brian Macdonald, CEO of CDK Global, dives into the enormity of the automotive data landscape, discussing how dealers can leverage extensive databases to enhance operations and market share. He elaborates on CDK's ambitious investments in data technology and AI, which are key to driving insights. The conversation touches on the importance of integrating AI into workflows for efficiency and how consumer data platforms can reveal customer value. Macdonald also shares trends in EV demand and the characteristics that define top-performing dealers in today's market.

Guests include Charlie Dyjak, Senior Manager at NADA, focused on legislative policy; Sherryl Nens, SVP at Privacy4Cars, specializing in vehicle data privacy; and Josh Johnson, CEO of Don Johnson Auto Group, who advocates for effective dealership cultures. They delve into the PART Act addressing catalytic converter theft and its implications for dealers. Sherryl highlights vehicle data risks and solutions for privacy compliance. Josh discusses EOS as a transformative operational framework, emphasizing the importance of trust and leadership in dealerships.

In this engaging discussion, Alexi Venneri, Co-founder and CEO of DAS Technology, shares her unique insights from years in automotive digital marketing. She explains why dealers are overwhelmed despite high tech spending and reveals how AI is changing the game, shifting focus from SEO to consumer reviews. Alexi emphasizes the importance of conversion over mere attraction and discusses how technology can replicate top employees. She also highlights the need for a hands-on approach to vendor relationships, ensuring dealers get the most from their investments.