Insights Hub

Dec. 28, 2024

How this car dealership generates leads

Getting high-quality dealership leads isn’t what it used to be. One new approach? Chat tools requiring a phone number upfront—paired with AI responding in under 90 seconds. Tina Tasche, Head of Innovation & Technology at @vanhornautomotivegroup5193, explains how this strategy is driving better prospects. ➤ Stream the latest episode of…

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Dec. 27, 2024

Long term outlook for the auto industry

One day it’s full electrification by 2030. The next, it’s “unplug your EVs—the grid can’t handle it.” The car business can be unpredictable... But franchise laws and a strong dealer network keep opportunities alive. Taseer Badar, CEO of @ZTCorporate explains why he’s betting big on the future. ➤ Stream the…

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Dec. 26, 2024

How to incentivize top dealership talent

Short-term thinking often plagues the car business. Strong incentives and steady leadership change that narrative. @ZTCorporate's leadership team averages 15+ years with the company, reflecting a focus on long-term growth and performance rewards. Taseer Badar, Chairman & CEO, shares what’s next. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership…

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Dec. 26, 2024

From The Stock Market To The Car Market: Lessons on Scaling a 13-Rooftop Auto Group | Taseer Badar

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I speak with Taseer Badar, CEO of @ZTCorporate. We dive into his entrepreneurial journey, including how President Obama "pushed him" into the car business, explore his M&A strategy, uncover which brands are on his wishlist, and reveal the tough realities…

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Dec. 25, 2024

How AI helps drive car sales

AI is shaking up CRMs and web chat at car dealerships... But many dealers still have doubts. Real-time inventory data could be the next big step, helping systems track deposits and in-transit vehicles instantly. Tina Tasche of @vanhornautomotivegroup5193 credits it with bringing 80% of scheduled prospects through their doors—and shares…

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Dec. 24, 2024

Are AI driven sales teams the future?

AI is changing the way dealerships handle leads— But for now, it may not be the whole solution. Van Horn Auto Group is blending AI with human expertise, freeing employees to focus on higher-level tasks and go deeper with prospects. Tina Tasche, Head of Innovation & Technology at @vanhornautomotivegroup5193, explains…

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Dec. 24, 2024

How to Build the Next-Gen Dealership BDC | Tina Tasche

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Tina Tasche, Head of Innovation & Tech at @vanhornautomotivegroup5193. We dive into how to build the next-generation dealership BDC, her AI features wishlist for the call center of the future, and why the traditional lead form is…

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Dec. 23, 2024

Why dealerships face a talent gap

A generational gap is reshaping dealership leadership. Steven Adragna, Operating Partner at CDG Recruiting, sees the talent pool shifting–– New GSMs on one side... Seasoned GMs on the other. Here’s how dealers can bridge the gap and build future leaders. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy…

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Dec. 23, 2024

Used car prices coming back down to earth?

Need 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.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs…

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Dec. 22, 2024

The most important thing in recruiting

Hiring for dealership growth takes more than a title on paper. Get it right, and you’re set to grow. Get it wrong, and you stall out. Steven Adragna, Operating Partner at CDG Recruiting, explains how to spot the *right* person. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy…

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Dec. 22, 2024

Carvana CEO explains how they raise margins

Carvana’s margins aren’t magic... Ernie Garcia, Founder and CEO of @GoCarvana explains it's the result of stacking strategic advantages. In-house financing, wholesale sales, and a vast logistics network all feed into $7,427 gross profit per unit. Here's the breakdown of how they keep pushing margins higher. ➤ Stream the latest…

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Dec. 21, 2024

How dealers can win the used car war

About 80% of the used cars franchised dealers sold last year came directly from consumers (trade-ins + buy from public). But keeping that pipeline flowing isn’t guaranteed. One edge dealers have? Service retention. Brice Englert, Founder & CEO at @tradepending, explains why investing in it is critical to staying ahead…

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Dec. 21, 2024

How Carvana stands out

It takes more than a buy button to stand out in auto retail. Carvana’s edge? A relentless string of hard-to-do things that customers actually care about. Ernie Garcia, Founder and CEO of @GoCarvana, explains how this strategy keeps them ahead. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy…

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Dec. 21, 2024

CDG Bites: New Sales Expected to Surge in 2025, Used Car Prices Hover at $30K, Honda/Nissan Merger?

Welcome to The Weekly—your go-to roundup of the top five auto industry headlines. This week's top stories: 1. New vehicle sales forecasted to surge in 2025 after successful Q4 2. Used car price drops slowing down, hovering around $30K 3. Wholesale used car prices hold steady so far this month…

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Dec. 20, 2024

The key to dealerships winning

Carvana’s value tracker is evolving how customers connect with their cars. Brice Englert, CEO at @tradepending, believes giving dealerships similar tools is the key to staying competitive. Here’s how he says dealers can keep customers coming back. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast now on…

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Dec. 20, 2024

CDG Bites: How Dealers Quietly Outsmart Their Competition

Welcome to The Breakdown—your go-to source for deep dives into the trends, strategies and shifts shaping automotive retail. Today’s Big Story: How Dealers Quietly Outsmart Their Competition This episode is brought to you by: Dealer Pay – A dealer-specific payment acceptance solution designed to boost productivity and enhance customer retention.…

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Dec. 19, 2024

Biggest opportunity for dealerships today

AI has taken automotive by storm, but... How well is it *actually* working? Efficiency still lags. Dealers are left wondering: When will tech deliver on its promises? Brice Englert, CEO of @tradepending shares how he sees it playing out. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast…

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Dec. 19, 2024

Ford Smashes EV Sales Record

Need 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.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs…

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Dec. 19, 2024

How Car Dealers Are Cracking the "Customer Retention" Code | Brice Englert

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I’m speaking with Brice Englert, CEO of TradePending. We discuss how car dealers are cracking the customer retention code, insights from competing with car-buying giants like Carvana, and how consumer loyalty is shifting in the age of hybrids. This episode…

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Dec. 18, 2024

How Carvana competes with dealers

Online auto retailers like Carvana have strengths...and gaps. Founder & CEO Ernie Garcia how post-sale vehicle service is an opportunity for them. Their edge? Vertical integration in finance, logistics, and auctions. Here’s how inventory scale keeps @GoCarvana competitive. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast now…

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Dec. 17, 2024

How dealers can future-proof their business

In a market where small shocks can erase profits… Unit economics become a car dealer's shield. The better the margins, the more pain they can absorb when the market shifts. Ernie Garcia, Co-Founder and CEO of @GoCarvana, shares how dealerships can stay resilient in a volatile industry. ➤ Stream the…

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Dec. 17, 2024

Infiniti is fighting to survive

Need 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.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs…

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Dec. 17, 2024

The Rise And Fall And Rise Again of Carvana | Ernie Garcia Jr.

Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Ernie Garcia Jr., Co-founder and CEO of Carvana. We dive into topics like the greatest comeback story of any public company ever, lessons from selling millions of cars, the future of the automotive wholesale business and…

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Dec. 14, 2024

Sell more cars with live shopping

"Live shopping" might be a goldmine for dealers. With some already selling cars on TikTok Live, Nathanael Greklek, Corporate Brand Director at @MohawkAutoGroup, is eyeing live streams to move cars and accessories. Here’s how dealerships could ride this wave. ➤ Stream the latest episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast…

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