

Car Dealership Guy Podcast
Car Dealership Guy
The Car Dealership Guy Podcast Network is your front-row seat to the people, companies, and trends shaping the future of automotive retail—delivered across three focused formats:The Car Dealership Guy Podcast (Tuesdays & Thursdays)Hosted by Yossi Levi, these deep-dive interviews feature top dealers, operators, and innovators driving the industry forward.Daily Dealer Live (Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays)Our live-streamed show, also released here in audio format, brings real-time news, sharp takes, and high-impact guests—think CNBC for car dealers.Industry SpotlightHosted by Sam D’Arc, this segment highlights standout dealerships and vendors with tactical insights and stories from the front lines.Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for highlights and behind-the-scenes content from every episode.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 6min
The 10-Year Buyout Playbook – Inside the Unicorn-Driven Dealership Model That’s Disrupting Auto Retail | Jim Keffer, CEO of Keffer Auto Group
Today I’m joined by Jim Keffer, CEO of Keffer Auto Group.
We break down his radical 10-year buyout model, why he hunts “unicorn” operators instead of centralizing, and how underperforming rooftops become high-ROI assets.
Jim also explains the math behind buying broken stores, the traits that separate true owner-operators, and the coming shakeups he sees from Carvana, CarMax, and digital retailing. It’s a candid, transparent look at a model most dealers never get to see up close.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. Lotlinx - What if ChatGPT actually spoke dealer? Meet LotGPT — the first AI chatbot built just for car dealers. Fluent in your market, your dealership, and your inventory, LotGPT delivers instant insights to help you merchandise smarter, move inventory faster, and maximize profit. It pulls from your live inventory, CRM, and Google Analytics to give VIN-specific recommendations, helping dealers price vehicles accurately, spot wasted spend, and uncover the hottest opportunities — all in seconds. LotGPT is free for dealers, but invite-only. Join the waitlist now @ Lotlinx.com/LotGPT
2. vAuto - The average car sits 45 days before getting shipped to another store — hoping it’ll sell faster somewhere else. But guess what? Once it lands there, it usually sits another 30 days. On paper, that looks fine. In reality, that car’s been tying up capital for 75 days — bleeding margin the whole time. The fix? Get the car to the right store on day one — or move it before the clock runs out. Because every day you wait, you’re losing gross you’ll never get back. Check out vAuto’s new guide on centralized inventory management @ https://www.vauto.com
3. CDG Circles - A modern peer group for auto dealers. Private dealer chats. Real insights — confidential, compliant, no travel required. Visit @ https://cdgcircles.com/ to learn more.
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
For dealers:
CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/
Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com
Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com
Fix your dealership’s social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co
Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com
For industry vendors:
Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com
Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com
Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com
Topics:
00:08 Biggest challenge in the car business?
00:52 How does the decentralized model work?
03:41 What is the buyout model?
07:08 How to find the right operators?
32:48 How does goodwill depreciation work?
33:15 How to identify and hire talent?
34:01 Biggest used car sales challenge?
37:45 Balancing sales efficiency with customer experience?
58:18 Future of car dealerships?
Car Dealership Guy Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/
TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership
LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy
Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com

5 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 1min
Terrell on QB to GM, Daly/Chodor on NADA, Scott on Content Creation | Daily Dealer Live
Zach Terrell, General Manager at Ziegler Auto Group and former D1 quarterback, shares insights on leadership and team building in dealerships. He compares sports tactics to auto retail, emphasizing accountability and camaraderie. Gray Scott, former VP of Marketing at Ultimate Toys, discusses harnessing generative AI for content creation and emotional storytelling in dealer marketing. They explore AI's role in transforming operations and enhancing customer experience, alongside proactive tactics for preventing service defection and improving engagement.

Nov 18, 2025 • 32min
"Stop Breaking Even!" – The Playbook to Make Money on Wholesale And What Dealers Miss | Kirk Rogers, Head of Wholesale at McCarthy Auto Group
Today I’m joined by Kirk Rogers, Wholesale Manager at McCarthy Auto Group.
We dig into why wholesale should be a strategic lever—not a last-resort escape hatch, how efficient transport unlocks massive savings, and the process McCarthy uses to eliminate the automotive retails biggest logistics bottleneck.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. Auto Hauler Exchange - Ship Smarter. Pay Less. No Middlemen. Tired of brokers driving up costs and slowing you down? Auto Hauler Exchange puts YOU in control. Ship cars faster and cheaper with 5,500+ vetted carriers. Get cars delivered in just 4 days on average. Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and real-time tracking. Move cars smarter. Move cars faster. Learn more: http://www.autohaulerexchange.com
2. automotiveMastermind - Mornings are for momentum—and Mastermind helps you build it. automotiveMastermind is the automotive industry’s trusted data and technology provider, empowering sales teams to start their day with data they can trust and end it with deals that drive results. Car Dealership Guy listeners can take Mastermind’s 30-second Sales Efficiency Assessment to see how their dealership stacks up. Visit @ https://drive.automotivemastermind.com/cdg to learn more and to activate your offer.
3. vAuto - The average car sits 45 days before getting shipped to another store — hoping it’ll sell faster somewhere else. But guess what? Once it lands there, it usually sits another 30 days. On paper, that looks fine. In reality, that car’s been tying up capital for 75 days — bleeding margin the whole time. The fix? Get the car to the right store on day one — or move it before the clock runs out. Because every day you wait, you’re losing gross you’ll never get back. Check out vAuto’s new guide on centralized inventory management: https://www.vauto.com
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
For dealers:
Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com
Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com
Fix your dealership’s social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co
Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com
For industry vendors:
Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com
Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com
Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com
Topics:
00:46 Current state of the wholesale market?
01:35 Key responsibilities at McCarthy Auto Group?
02:29 Biggest wholesale strategy challenge?
03:22 How has wholesale landscape changed?
04:39 Best acquisition and disposition tactics?
09:44 Key metrics for wholesale success?
18:51 Managing recon and logistics effectively?
23:36 Strategies to cut recon costs?
27:08 How to compete with industry giants?
Car Dealership Guy Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/
TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership
LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy
Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 2min
Hall on Winning Back Service, Janes on Used Supply Constraints, Bright on Safety | Daily Dealer Live
Don Hall, President of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, passionately defends the franchise dealer model while discussing the importance of dealer advocacy in preserving local jobs. Patrick Janes from vAuto highlights data-driven insights on used vehicle pricing and sourcing challenges, crucial for navigating today’s market. Will Bright, CEO of Saferide.ai, introduces cutting-edge AI-enabled safety tech for used cars, emphasizing its potential to enhance dealer service and boost consumer safety. The conversation blends policy, technology, and innovation in the automotive world.

26 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 57min
Service Lane Game-Changer: Brian Benstock, TeamVelocity, VINCUE, Spyne.ai | Daily Dealer Live
Brian Benstock, a dealership innovator, joins forces with David Boice, CEO of Team Velocity, with expertise in customer experience, and Danny Zaslavsky, co-founder of VINCUE, who excels in vehicle lifecycle management. They dive into the fragmented service-lane acquisition process and propose solutions for instant vehicle appraisals using AI. The trio discusses integrating technology to streamline operations, empowering dealership staff to enhance sales, and the ambitious goal of hitting 900 monthly units through improved customer engagement.

Nov 13, 2025 • 53min
Q3 Auto Market Cheat Sheet – The Car Brands Accelerating and Stalling Out in Late 2025 | Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners
Today I’m joined by Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners.
We dig into why Q4 buy-sell activity is suddenly exploding, which franchises are becoming “must-own” (and which aren’t), how rate cuts are reshaping buyer math, and get a sneak peek at the latest Haig Report before its released.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. Equifax - Fund More Auto Loans, Faster. Auto loan applicants are 40% more likely to be funded when instantly verified by The Work Number. You can get the data you need to know your borrower better and make fast, smart decisions. Equifax provides instant, secure access to verified borrower identity, address, income, and employment information, helping you move deals forward quickly." Visit @ https://carguymedia.com/3Lplzue to learn more.
2. Amazon Auto - With Amazon Autos, your dealership can reach more buyers, drive more sales, and deliver a modern, more delightful car-buying experience. Learn more @ https://sell.amazon.com/programs/autos
3. Haig Partners - Since 2014, the Haig Report® has delivered expert analysis on dealership performance, market activity, and franchise valuations, offering a clear view of opportunities and challenges in automotive retail. Learn more in the full Q3 2025 Haig Report® by subscribing to receive it as soon as it’s released. Visit @ https://share.hsforms.com/1AEDx2iJDSsibryqbI1HyCgnr2vn
4. CDG Circles - A modern peer group for auto dealers. Private dealer chats. Real insights — confidential, compliant, no travel required. Visit https://cdgcircles.com to learn more.
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
For dealers:
Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com
Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com
Fix your dealership’s social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co
Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com
For industry vendors:
Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com
Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com
Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com
Topics:
00:59 What defines the marathon's spirit?
02:53 Why did the CarMax CEO resign?
03:49 How is Carvana influencing the market?
07:14 Current state of the auto market?
11:14 Which brands are performing best?
21:40 Who is buying cars today?
26:51 Biggest opportunity in dealership sales?
29:05 Where are the hottest regional markets?
43:59 Future outlook for dealers?
Car Dealership Guy Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/
TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership
LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy
Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com

Nov 12, 2025 • 53min
Perdikis on Gov. Shutdown, Wood on Recent Buy Sell, Huff on Used Philosophy | Daily Dealer Live
Alex Perdikis, CEO of Koons Motors, Inc., discusses innovative community initiatives amid government shutdowns, including free mobile services for affected employees to enhance goodwill and loyalty. Nick Huff, Used Car Director at Fred Martin Superstore, dives into subprime strategies, explaining how aggressive trade acceptance and quick reconditioning are key to managing used vehicle volume. He also shares insights on competing with CarMax and Carvana and the importance of maintaining consistent appraisal processes.

12 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 43min
Dealers vs. Change: The Truth About VW, Scout, and the EV Road Ahead — From an Insider | Fred Emich IV, Partner at Emich Automotive
Fred Emich IV, a Partner at Emich Automotive and chairman of Volkswagen's National Dealer Council, brings a wealth of experience from leading high-volume EV sales. He shares insights on becoming Kia's top EV retailer, navigating challenges with VW's product quality, and the dealer landscape amidst the rise of direct-to-consumer brands like Scout. Fred discusses simplifying the EV sales process, the importance of service and community initiatives, and his vision for the future of his family-run business.

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 6min
Auto Marketing Monday w/ Jeff Ramsey, Brian Kramer, and Dustin Clark | Daily Dealer Live
In this engaging discussion, Jeff Ramsey, CMO of Ourisman Auto Group, shares insights on record sales and innovative inventory strategies to lower costs. Brian Kramer, EVP at Cars Commerce, reveals how data-driven inventory sourcing can outpace competitors like CarMax and Carvana. Dustin Clark, CMO at Andy Mohr Auto Group, highlights the importance of aligning marketing across multiple dealerships and utilizing AI for backend opportunities. Together, they explore effective marketing tactics and the future of digital lead conversion.

Nov 8, 2025 • 35min
The New Auto Arms Race: How Dealers Are Turning Vehicle Data into Loyalty and Cash Flow | Shane Wilson, President at Connected Dealer Services
Shane Wilson, President of Connected Dealer Services and architect of the CarX platform, shares insights on the evolving landscape of automotive sales and dealer retention. He discusses how real-time vehicle data is revolutionizing fixed operations, enhancing customer loyalty, and enabling dealers to outpace OEMs in customer relationships. Shane highlights the benefits of CarX in service scheduling, predictive modeling, and fraud prevention, while also touching on overlooked revenue opportunities like battery and tire services. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of data in shaping the future of connected cars.


