CBT Automotive Network Podcast

Every dealer knows that there is a lack of good service technicians in the fixed-ops department. So how can dealership’s proactively prepare themselves to make the best of this situation? Well, our next guest is here to tell us. Today, we speak to John Fairchild, fixed-ops training and management expert, about how dealers can overcome the service technician drought.

Q1 Sales and the State of Auto Retail | CRM Management, Growing Your BDC, and the Impact of Digital Retailing | How AI Can Improve Your Dealership's Call Center Practices

CBT News Week In Review for Friday, April 12th, 2019:

Dealers Turn to CPO Vehicles as High Prices and Interest Rates Push Sales Down - Karl Brauer, Autotrader & KBB

The first quarter of the fiscal year is officially over, and there are a lot of numbers and trends to break down. Here to talk to us more about March’s earnings is Karl Brauer, executive publisher for AutoTrader and Kelley Blue Book. Karl shares with us, his insight about this month’s winners, losers, the importance of CPO vehicles, and what dealers can expect as we head into Q2.

Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at Cox Automotive Discusses Q1 Sales and the State of Automotive Retail

First quarter sales data has recently been released for the auto retail industry, and there are several trends that indicate some headwinds and tailwinds for the rest of the year. Here to talk in-depth about what dealers can expect from the Q1 sales is Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive.

Bill Wittenmyer Discusses CRM Management, Growing Your BDC, and the Impact of Digital Retailing

On today’s show, we welcome back Bill Wittenmyer, partner and Vice President of sales and operations for Elead CRM, a CDK Global company. Jim and Bill discuss why the majority of dealers aren't utilizing their CRMs to their fullest capabilities. They also tackle what makes a good CRM, how to grow your dealership's BDC and the industry trends that dealers should pay close attention to.

How AI Can Improve Your Dealership's Call Center Practices - Mike Haeg

On today's show, CBT's Bridget Fitzpatrick discusses how artificial intelligence is improving call center practices with Mike Haeg, Vice President of Automotive at Car Wars. The pair also discuss the problems facing dealers in their call centers, as well as incorporating a CRM into the phone sales process.

How AI Can Improve Your Dealership's Call Center Practices - Mike Haeg | Unconscious Bias in the Workplace and How to Avoid It | Dealership Statistics That Every Dealer Should Know

Today on CBTNews.com - Thursday, April 11th, 2019:

How AI Can Improve Your Dealership's Call Center Practices - Mike Haeg

On today's show, CBT's Bridget Fitzpatrick discusses how artificial intelligence is improving call center practices with Mike Haeg, Vice President of Automotive at Car Wars. The pair also discuss the problems facing dealers in their call centers, as well as incorporating a CRM into the phone sales process.

Unconscious Bias in the Workplace and How to Avoid It

Also known as implicit bias, unconscious biases are learned stereotypes we hold about people based on factors like ethnicity, weight, gender, accent, disabilities, and other similarly superficial traits. Often we’re not aware of these biases despite them informing our attitudes and behaviors--hence the unconsciousness of them.

Dealership Statistics That Every Dealer Should Know

It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of the workday at your dealership. Each day brings new opportunities to improve your operations, attract new customers, and set yourself apart from competitors. However, have you ever wondered how other dealers are managing their operations? Have you been curious about consumer trends or buying habits? Statistics allow you to establish benchmarks and gauge the ever-changing patterns of consumer tastes.

On today's show, CBT's Bridget Fitzpatrick discusses how artificial intelligence is improving call center practices with Mike Haeg, Vice President of Automotive at Car Wars. The pair also discuss the problems facing dealers in their call centers, as well as incorporating a CRM into the phone sales process.

Bill Wittenmyer Discusses CRM Management, Growing Your BDC, and the Impact of Digital Retailing | Toyota Giving Royalty-Free Access to Hybrid-Vehicle Patents | Where do we GROW?

Today on CBTNews.com - Wednesday, April 10th, 2019:

Bill Wittenmyer Discusses CRM Management, Growing Your BDC, and the Impact of Digital Retailing

On today’s show, we welcome back Bill Wittenmyer, partner and Vice President of sales and operations for Elead CRM, a CDK Global company. Jim and Bill discuss why the majority of dealers aren't utilizing their CRMs to their fullest capabilities. They also tackle what makes a good CRM, how to grow your dealership's BDC and the industry trends that dealers should pay close attention to.

Why is Toyota Giving Royalty-Free Access to Hybrid-Vehicle Patents?

Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp announced Wednesday that it is opening up access to its hybrid-vehicle patents through the year 2030. The move also promises to supply competitors with component parts including motors, power converters and batteries. To understand the gravity of this announcement, we must first understand how important Toyota is to the hybrid-vehicle and low-emission vehicle markets.

Where do we GROW?

As the economy continues to heat up, dealerships are increasingly being cramped by lack of available space and staff to accommodate the rush of customers. In a real sense, in many locations, capacity continues to be the main issue in a lot of Dealership’s quest for higher and higher production. Lack of capacity from the talent side and the facility side of the equation.

On today’s show, we welcome back Bill Wittenmyer, partner and Vice President of sales and operations for Elead CRM, a CDK Global company. Jim and Bill discuss why the majority of dealers aren't utilizing their CRMs to their fullest capabilities. They also tackle what makes a good CRM, how to grow your dealership's BDC and the industry trends that dealers should pay close attention to.

Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at Cox Automotive Discusses Q1 Sales and the State of Auto Retail | Are You Meeting Your VSC Objectives? | Winners of Edmunds 2019 Best Retained Value Awards

Today on CBTNews.com - Tuesday, April 9th, 2019:

Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at Cox Automotive Discusses Q1 Sales and the State of Automotive Retail

First quarter sales data has recently been released for the auto retail industry, and there are several trends that indicate some headwinds and tailwinds for the rest of the year. Here to talk in-depth about what dealers can expect from the Q1 sales is Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive.

Are You Meeting Your VSC Objectives?

Service contracts have been around a long time. If they didn’t provide customers with real value, there wouldn’t be so many repeat VSC buyers. Make it department policy to offer your service contract 100% of the time! Be consistent. Train your entire sales team on the genuine benefits of a VSC so they can honestly convey them to customers – and overcome objections. I guarantee you’ll see a measurable increase in your VSC penetration!

Winners of Edmunds 2019 Best Retained Value Awards

On April 3rd, Edmunds announced their 2019 Edmunds Best Retained Value Awards. The car shopping experts recognized the new 2019 brands and vehicles that had the highest projected residual values after five years. These awards were created to showcase and highlight the overall value of vehicles for shoppers.

First quarter sales data has recently been released for the auto retail industry, and there are several trends that indicate some headwinds and tailwinds for the rest of the year. Here to talk in-depth about what dealers can expect from the Q1 sales is Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive.

The first quarter of the fiscal year is officially over, and there are a lot of numbers and trends to break down. Here to talk to us more about March’s earnings is Karl Brauer, executive publisher for AutoTrader and Kelley Blue Book. Karl shares with us, his insight about this month’s winners, losers, the importance of CPO vehicles, and what dealers can expect as we head into Q2.

Dealers Turn to CPO Vehicles as High Prices and Interest Rates Push Sales Down – Karl Brauer | 2019 Women’s Car Buying Report | Employ the Power of Positivity

Today on CBTNews.com – Monday, April 8th, 2019:

Dealers Turn to CPO Vehicles as High Prices and Interest Rates Push Sales Down – Karl Brauer, Autotrader & KBB

The first quarter of the fiscal year is officially over, and there are a lot of numbers and trends to break down. Here to talk to us more about March’s earnings is Karl Brauer, executive publisher for AutoTrader and Kelley Blue Book. Karl shares with us, his insight about this month’s winners, losers, the importance of CPO vehicles, and what dealers can expect as we head into Q2.

2019 Women’s Car Buying Report

The 2019 Women’s Car Buyer Report from JoinWomenDriver.com and SurveySpark shows the growing influence women are having on car buying. Over the years, women have become a more powerful and influential segment of the car buying community. Research shows that women influence 70 to 80 percent of all consumer purchasing. Specifically, regarding car ownership, women were responsible for 45 percent of new car purchases in 2018.

Employ the Power of Positivity

Here’s the deal: negativity isn’t all bad. It’s important to start off acknowledging that because often positivity pieces come off as Polyanaesque sermons delivering sickly sweet doses of inspiration. The truth is, there is a time and place for negative emotions and some times when they can even be, well, positive.