Garagecast - All Things Power Sports and Marine

Live from AIM Expo in Las Vegas, We finally got the chance to sit down with Alexander Smith from Malcolm Smith Motorsports—an interview years in the making! We talked about his mission at AIM Expo, including an auction honoring his legendary father, Malcolm Smith. Alexander shared how his dad’s hands-on approach shaped his values, the evolution of their family dealership, and what’s ahead for the power sports industry in 2025. Tune in for a great conversation on legacy, business, and the future of the industry!

KTM’s future is one of the biggest stories in power sports right now, and we get the inside scoop straight from John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America. Live from AIM Expo 2025, we dive into KTM’s restructuring, the MV Agusta sale, dealer strategies, and inventory shifts—plus their ongoing commitment to racing. Don’t miss this candid conversation on where KTM is headed next!

In this episode of GarageCast, Tony and Sam dive into the power sports industry’s current challenges and opportunities as we gear up for spring sales. With the AIM Expo happening now, we will break down key dealer conversations on allocation, profitability, and finance strategies.We’re joined by industry pros Tyler and Justin, who bring insights from their journey from auto sales to Harley-Davidson. We discuss dealership operations, KPIs, and the evolving role of the Assistant Sales Manager (ASM). Tyler and Justin share their take on market trends, the importance of transactional data, and why slowing down the sales process can boost customer satisfaction.Justin also reveals how he transformed his dealership’s transaction efficiency, while Tyler challenges conventional finance strategies. Plus, we explore the balance of new vs. used bike sales and why used inventory is key for engagement.Packed with real-world strategies and expert advice, this episode is a must-listen for dealers looking to sharpen their operations and drive success!

In this episode of GarageCast, we chat with Greg Mackey, owner of Cycles of Jacksonville and Interstate Cycles. Greg shares his journey in the power sports industry, starting in his family dealership and navigating the ups and downs of a changing market. We dive into the lessons learned from the 2008 downturn, the benefits of focusing on existing stores before expanding, and how shifting to a cash dealer model helped Greg maintain stability. He also talks about the challenges between dealers and OEMs and why collaboration is key to growth. Greg highlights the unique strategies behind his two stores, the exciting potential in the UTV and pre-owned sport bike markets, and his vision for the future of power sports. Whether you're a dealer or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration. Tune in! 

In this episode of GarageCast, we explore the evolving relationships between marine dealers and manufacturers with Jeff Strong of Strong’s Marine and Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association of America. We discuss the importance of honesty and transparency, likened to a strong partnership, and dive into a new scorecard program designed to enhance collaboration, improve customer experiences, and reduce attrition among first-time boat buyers. Despite initial pushback, the scorecards foster accountability and focus on key metrics like dealer agreements, market territories, and service quality. Tune in for insights on driving industry success through partnership and innovation. 

In this episode of Garagecast, we’re back and kicking off our sixth year with episode 259! After a refreshing break, we dive into the theme of the "status quo" and how it shapes your dealerships. From the little details, like keeping bathrooms clean, to big-picture strategies like managing inventory and training staff, we explore ways to level up for 2025. #garagecast #tonygonzalez #samdantzler #powersportsdealer #marinedealer

Here is our final episode of 2024

Final episode