Car Dealership Guy Podcast

Vinay Shahani, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer at Nissan/Infiniti USA, dives into Nissan's comeback strategy and the evolving automotive landscape. He discusses the need for a diverse product mix, balancing dealer counts with brand perception, and the importance of strong dealer relationships. Vinay shares insights on profitability, innovative consumer incentives like extended warranties, and the company's adaptation to consumer preferences. He emphasizes transparency and collaboration as vital for revitalizing Nissan’s dealer network and enhancing market competitiveness.

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I welcome back Alan Haig, CEO of Haig Partners to discuss: Why dealers are lining up to buy Stellantis stores, Why "Japan Inc." won't let Nissan fail, the vibe shift on dealership profitability in 2025, and how 10 million cars disappeared from American roads.This episode 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. Podium - ‪@Podiumsoftware‬ Don’t miss another lead. With Podium’s AI BDC, dealerships are seeing an 80% increase in after-hours appointments by handling leads 24/7. Instantly respond to inquiries, book test drives, and let your team focus on what matters: closing deals. Learn how Podium can help you sell more cars @ https://www.podium.com/car-dealership3. CDG Recruiting – The Go-To Talent Partner for Dealers. Hire pre-vetted GMs, sales, F&I, fixed ops, C-suite, and back-office talent—ready to perform. Faster hires, better results.Book a call → 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:00:00: Intro01:56 What is the role of Haig Partners in the automotive M&A landscape?03:07 What insights and market trends are highlighted in the quarterly report?06:17 How do brand performance and acquisition strategies intersect?11:07 How does legislation impact dealership values?14:12 What are the market cycles and opportunities for Stellantis and Nissan?29:27 How do tariffs impact the auto industry?30:14 What are the market predictions and economic outlook?37:10 What role does pent-up demand play in market dynamics?39:44 What were the details of Herb Chambers' sale to Asbury?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.

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Wright, Managing Partner at Vinart Dealerships.This episode is brought to you by:1. Phone Ninjas - Is your store missing opportunities before they even hit the lot? Phone Ninjas helps dealers maximize every opportunity with custom scripts and critical coaching on actual customer calls. Get your team certified today and watch your appointment set and show rates double! Visit @ https://www.phoneninjas.com/ to start winning today!2. Impel - Impel AI helps you drive loyalty with proactive, personalized service outreach that scales seamlessly. From service milestones to recall alerts and tailored incentives, Impel makes service outreach feel more like a concierge experience than traditional marketing. With AI-powered service scheduling via text and email, your team can stop managing calendars and start focusing on delivering exceptional customer experiences. Future-proof your service drive today. Learn more @ https://carguymedia.com/41G1unN3. CDG Recruiting – The Go-To Talent Partner for Dealers. Hire pre-vetted GMs, sales, F&I, fixed ops, C-suite, and back-office talent—ready to perform. Faster hires, better results. Book a call → 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:00:41 What are the current industry challenges and how are OEM incentives addressing them?04:51 How can dealerships balance long-term vision with day-to-day operations?09:48 What are the key differences between luxury and mainstream markets?16:54 How does affordability impact market dynamics in the automotive industry?21:34 What role do leasing programs and consumer education play in the market?31:13 How can deceptive pricing in third-party listings be addressed effectively?36:40 What is the impact of performance-based pricing on dealerships and consumers?46:04 What does the future of digital retailing look like for the automotive industry?50:17 How can collaboration between OEMs and dealers be improved for mutual success?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.

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Doug Horner, General Sales Manager of North Olmsted Mercedes-Benz and the creator behind the wildly popular Benzs and Bowties social media accounts. We discuss why he’s intentionally leaving $50K on table with every G-Wagon he sells, how he’s generating half of his leads through social media, and what finally pushed him to start creating content.This episode 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.com2. 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 5,000+ vetted carriers●Get cars delivered in just 5 days on average●Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and real-time tracking. Move cars smarter. Move cars faster. Learn more @ https://www.autohaulerexchange.com3. 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:00:49 What were the early career experiences and sales strategies that shaped success?02:35 What was the journey like transitioning to Mercedes, and what made it significant?04:57 How does Mercedes compete in the luxury car market?05:44 What is Mercedes' EV strategy, and who are its target customer demographics?12:28 How does the dealership maintain customer retention and capitalize on trends like G Wagon mania?20:00 How are out-of-state deals managed to ensure customer delight?23:41 How is the online car buying experience transforming the automotive industry?26:51 What is the impact of social media on car sales and customer engagement?35:17 What is the future outlook for the dealership and 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.

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 Bob Tasca III, VP of Tasca Automotive Group, and Ryan Maher. CEO of BizzyCar.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by BizzCar.1. BizzyCar — built by dealers, is an AI-powered Recall Management and Mobile Service Platform that increases appointments, boosts revenue, and helps bring back lost customers. CDG listeners get a special offer at https://info.bizzycar.com/cdg🚨 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:00:31 Who is Bob Tasca, and why is he known as the Fastest Man on Four Wheels?03:16 How does racing create synergy with dealership operations?06:12 How does racing impact the success of a dealership?09:36 What is Busy Car, and how is it revolutionizing recall management?12:03 What is the scale and impact of automotive recalls on the industry?15:11 What does the future hold for recall solutions in the automotive industry?20:04 Why is ROI (Return on Investment) crucial for dealerships?22:19 What strategies give dealerships a competitive edge in the industry?29:00 What is the legacy of the Tasca family business, and what innovations have they introduced?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.

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Michael Speigl, Dealer Principal of We Auto, a Michigan-based dealer group. We discuss the lessons he learned from working for Lithia and how they shaped his own dealerships, why he’s investing over $250K in company culture, and the phone call that changed his family’s life forever, along with much more.This episode is brought to you by:1. Phone Ninjas - Is your store missing opportunities before they even hit the lot? Phone Ninjas helps dealers maximize every opportunity with custom scripts and critical coaching on actual customer calls. Get your team certified today and watch your appointment set and show rates double! Visit @ https://www.phoneninjas.com/ to start winning today!2. CDK Global - our trusted technology partner for car dealers and automakers. CDK doesn’t just deliver top-tier tech solutions; they provide game-changing industry insights. Beyond top-tier tech, their Friction Points Study uncovers what’s slowing car purchases—highlighting how dealers are closing time gaps and why F&I remains crucial. Get the full report at https://www.cdkglobal.com/insights3. 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:00:32 What was Michael's journey into auto retail like?04:41 How did Michael transition to becoming a dealer principal?12:51 What is Michael's mission-driven business approach?21:30 What are Michael's thoughts on digital retailing and industry trends?28:49 What is the regional impact of electric vehicles?29:08 What challenges are associated with selling electric vehicles?31:43 How does political influence affect the EV market?34:46 How does Michael ensure service retention and a positive customer experience?47:25 How does Michael use data analytics in his business strategy?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.

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 Jennica Krebsbach, Controller at Van Horn Auto Group, and Julie Douglas, CEO of Dealer Pay.This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by Dealer Pay:1. Dealer Pay – Designed to increase productivity and customer retention, Dealer Pay is a dealer-specific payment acceptance solution with over 25 years of experience as a trusted payments partner for dealerships across the U.S. Contact Julie today - julie@dealer-pay.com or 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:01:22 What is the role of a controller in an auto group?03:59 How has technology impacted the auto industry?05:09 How does cash management work in daily operations?05:45 What is the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at Van Horn?08:21 What are the challenges and solutions in credit card processing?10:20 How does DealerPay streamline payments?17:36 What are the strategies for fraud prevention and compliance?21:28 How does credit card surcharging work in the auto industry?27:35 What are the future trends and advice for aspiring controllers?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.

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Brett Sutherlin, Dealer Principal of Sutherlin Automotive Group, to discuss: His no B.S. dealer strategy and what brands he's avoiding, How he's doubling margin vs his competition with Google Business Profiles, Buying dealerships off of Linkedin and much more.This episode is brought to you by:1. DriveHRIS - DriveHRIS streamlines hiring, onboarding, timesheets, PTO tracking, and payroll— all in one seamless platform. Let DriveHRIS handle HR and Safety so you can focus on what really matters— boosting your CSI scores, improving customer experience, and selling more vehicles. Visit https://drive2025.com/ to grab your FREE workbook on 'Retention Strategies for Dealerships in 2025.2. CDK Global – Your trusted technology partner for car dealers and automakers. CDK doesn’t just deliver top-tier tech solutions; they provide game-changing industry insights. Beyond top-tier tech, their Friction Points Study uncovers what’s slowing car purchases—highlighting how dealers are closing time gaps and why F&I remains crucial. Get the full report at CDK.com/insights.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:01:34 How do dealership operations vary across different locations?03:46 What tech innovations are transforming dealerships today?10:08 What strategies are most effective for service departments?18:23 What are your future plans for growth?21:49 How can businesses leverage AI for success?22:43 How can dealerships optimize their digital presence?26:24 What strategies work best for recruiting and retention?28:41 How can dealerships maximize customer lifetime value through advertising?32:34 What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the car business today?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

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Bowers, Dealer Principal of Matt Bowers Automotive Group, to discuss how he brute-forced his way to 12 dealerships and $1 billion in revenue, his unlikely start in the car business and tumultuous path to becoming a powerhouse auto group owner, the most important factor when buying a dealership, and much more.This episode is brought to you by:1. 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/2. 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:00:56: What are Matt's insights from the NADA Convention?02:00: How does the Super Bowl relate to Matt's personal life?02:36: What are the crowdsourced opinions on Matt Bowers?03:33: What was Matt Bowers' early career like?04:34: What family background and early influences shaped Matt Bowers?05:48: What challenges did Matt Bowers face in his career progression?10:25: What led to Matt Bowers' transition to ownership?25:41: What market trends and acquisition strategies are relevant in the industry?27:59: What are the challenges and risks in the business?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#CarBusinessJourney #OvercomingAdversity #MentorshipImpact

In a fascinating discussion, Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive, and Matt Nuffort, Director at Amazon Autos, delve into the groundbreaking partnership reshaping car sales. They tackle the challenges of digital retailing and how an omni-channel approach enhances customer experience. The duo highlights Amazon's influence on customer satisfaction scores and effective dealership integration. With insights on future solutions for finance and insurance products, they explore the evolving landscape of automotive sales through innovative technology and collaboration.