CBT Automotive Network Podcast

Week In Review: How to Develop a Comprehensive Revenue Growth Plan for Your Fixed-Ops Department | NADA’s Patrick Manzi on Consumer Confidence Remaining High Despite Sluggish Q1 | How Your Dealership Can Leverage Digital Retailing to Build Customer Trust

CBT News Week In Review for Friday, April 5th, 2019:

How to Develop a Comprehensive Revenue Growth Plan for Your Fixed-Ops Department – Michael Roppo, Fixed-Ops Director

To increase revenue in today’s retail auto industry, many dealers are focusing on boosting profits in the service department. Here to tell us how to develop a comprehensive revenue growth optimization plan is Michael Roppo, director of dealer fixed-ops consulting and training for WithumSmith and Brown’s automotive division.

How Your Dealership Can Leverage Digital Retailing to Build Customer Trust – Pete MacInnis, eLEND & Steve Finlay, WardsAuto

Every dealer knows that today’s car shoppers want more control of their car buying experience. They expect more information, transparency, and online transaction capabilities. Here to give us an update on all things digital retailing is Pete MacInnis, founder and CEO of eLEND Solutions, and Steve Finlay, editor at WardsAuto magazine.

How to Identify Your Dealership’s Strengths and Weaknesses – Max Zanan, Author of “Car Business 101”

On today’s show, we welcome back Max Zanan, automotive retail consultant, and best-selling author of “Perfect Dealership” and “Car Business 101”. In this segment, Max and Jim discuss how to accurately assess your dealership’s strengths and weaknesses.

Consumer Confidence Remains High Despite Sluggish First Quarter Numbers – Patrick Manzi, NADA Senior Economist

Q1 in the auto retail industry has come to an end and there has been a lot of speculation as to what the numbers will look like. Well, here to give us an in-depth analysis of 2019’s first quarter auto sales is Patrick Manzi, PhD., a senior economist for NADA.

Q1 in the auto retail industry has come to an end and there has been a lot of speculation as to what the numbers will look like. Well, here to give us an in-depth analysis of 2019’s first quarter auto sales is Patrick Manzi, PhD., a senior economist for NADA.

NADA Sr. Economist Patrick Manzi – Consumer Confidence Remains High Despite Sluggish First Quarter | Toyota’s Lentz Regarding Tariffs: “I’m Confident They’ll Make the Right Decision” | The Hierarchy of Marketing on Your Website

Today on CBTNews.com – Thursday, April 4th, 2019:

Consumer Confidence Remains High Despite Sluggish First Quarter Numbers – Patrick Manzi, NADA Senior Economist

Q1 in the auto retail industry has come to an end and there has been a lot of speculation as to what the numbers will look like. Well, here to give us an in-depth analysis of 2019’s first quarter auto sales is Patrick Manzi, PhD., a senior economist for NADA.

Toyota’s Lentz Regarding Tariffs: “I’m Confident They’ll Make the Right Decision”

There is no question the Trump administration’s auto tariff threats have been looming over consumers and the auto industry for months. In March, Toyota Motor North America’s CEO Jim Lentz reported that as long as the administration takes production, employment, and sales into account, he is “confident” it will make the right decision.

The Hierarchy of Marketing on Your Website

In today’s marketplace, dealerships need to be customer centered, responsive, and agile to be successful. The internet opened up a new era that transformed the way buyers research vehicles before making their final decision. Various studies over the years have shown that a large percentage of car buyers use their mobile phones to compare prices and models while they are physically present at the dealership or their lot. If your website does not have a clear call to action or message and it is cluttered, then users won’t be sticking around for long.

How to Identify Your Dealership’s Strengths and Weaknesses - Max Zanan | Expect the Jeep Gladiator to be an Auto Retail Power Player | March Signifies a Rocky End to Q1 Auto Sales

Today on CBTNews.com - Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019:

How to Identify Your Dealership’s Strengths and Weaknesses - Max Zanan, Author of "Car Business 101"

On today’s show, we welcome back Max Zanan, automotive retail consultant, and best-selling author of “Perfect Dealership” and “Car Business 101”. In this segment, Max and Jim discuss how to accurately assess your dealership’s strengths and weaknesses.

Expect the Jeep Gladiator to be an Auto Retail Power Player

The 2020 Gladiator is looking to be a contender in the latest wave of trucks. Signaling the Gladiator’s premium status is its price tag: while the official prices aren’t out yet, depending on how you outfit it, the company’s building tool shows that some versions could top $50k. That’s not exactly unusual in today’s truck market. Prices for the Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500 Limited and Ford F-150 are also pretty high. The 2020 Gladiator is just one more indicator that companies are setting some large bets on the consumer trend for trucks.

March Signifies a Rocky End to 2019's First Quarter Automotive Sales

March is 2019’s first indicator that the tide is changing regarding automotive sales trends. Marketing research firm, J.D. Power revealed that first-quarter sales for this year would likely be the lowest they have been since 2014. In fact, the entire year may be the first since 2014 to have total automotive sales under 17 million, with an estimated final total of 16.69 million vehicles. March is a significant piece in this first quarter puzzle.

On today’s show, we welcome back Max Zanan, automotive retail consultant, and best-selling author of “Perfect Dealership” and “Car Business 101”. In this segment, Max and Jim discuss how to accurately assess your dealership’s strengths and weaknesses.

How Your Dealership Can Leverage Digital Retailing to Build Customer Trust - Pete MacInnis & Steve Finlay | Ridesharing Services Increase Earning Potential for Automotive Service Centers | The Industry is Coming Together to Oppose Trump Tariffs

Today on CBTNews.com - Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019:

How Your Dealership Can Leverage Digital Retailing to Build Customer Trust - Pete MacInnis, eLEND & Steve Finlay, WardsAuto

Every dealer knows that today’s car shoppers want more control of their car buying experience. They expect more information, transparency, and online transaction capabilities. Here to give us an update on all things digital retailing is Pete MacInnis, founder and CEO of eLEND Solutions, and Steve Finlay, editor at WardsAuto magazine.

Ridesharing Services Increase Earning Potential for Automotive Service Centers

The trend of using ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft, gained popularity seemingly overnight. Within the last five years, ridesharing through these and other companies has expanded greatly, reaching nearly every city and town, big or small, around the globe. For automotive service centers, this trend toward ridesharing could lead to an increase in profits.

The Industry is Coming Together to Oppose Trump Tariffs

It’s rare to find something that creates as much unity in the car industry as President Trump’s proposed tariffs on automotive imports. Manufacturers, dealers, and mechanics are presenting a united front in opposition to the 25% tariff which will be brought before the president for a ruling on May 18th. Though the administration’s economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, has hinted that this deadline isn’t set in stone, that hasn’t stopped the many branches of the industry from lobbying hard to ensure the tariffs don’t pass.

Every dealer knows that today’s car shoppers want more control of their car buying experience. They expect more information, transparency, and online transaction capabilities. Here to give us an update on all things digital retailing is Pete McInnis, founder and CEO of eLEND Solutions, and Steve Finlay, editor at WardsAuto magazine.

How to Develop a Comprehensive Revenue Growth Plan for Your Fixed-Ops Department - Michael Roppo | How Mark Wahlberg and Private Equity Firms Are Shaking Up Auto Retail | Don’t Miss The Digital Dealer Expo 2019

Today on CBTNews.com - Monday, April 1st, 2019:

How to Develop a Comprehensive Revenue Growth Plan for Your Fixed-Ops Department - Michael Roppo, Fixed-Ops Director

To increase revenue in today's retail auto industry, many dealers are focusing on boosting profits in the service department. Here to tell us how to develop a comprehensive revenue growth optimization plan is Michael Roppo, director of dealer fixed-ops consulting and training for WithumSmith and Brown’s automotive division.

How Mark Wahlberg and Private Equity Firms Are Shaking Up Automotive Retail

If you’re looking to buy a Chevy from Mark Wahlberg, go ahead and make a visit to Columbus, Ohio, where he is now including automotive sales in his numerous business ventures. The auto sector is a far jump from Wahlberg’s days as rapper “Marky Mark” in the early 1990’s, but it’s a smart move seeing as the buying and selling of dealerships is a hot trend lately.

Don’t Miss The Digital Dealer Expo 2019

April is just around the corner and with it comes this year’s Digital Dealer Expo. From April 9 through 12th, Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida will host this year’s expo with over one hundred educational sessions answering your questions regarding all areas where technology and car sales intersect. These sessions will be led by top dealership executives, trainers, and consultants, such as Sean Welsch, the founder, and CEO of Car Biz Done Better, eCommerce Director for Jeff Wyler Automotive Family Kevin Fry, and many more.

To increase revenue in today’s retail auto industry, many dealers are focusing on boosting profits in the service department. Here to tell us how to develop a comprehensive revenue growth optimization plan is Michael Roppo, director of dealer fixed-ops consulting and training for WithumSmith and Brown’s automotive division.

Week In Review: The Latest Trends in Digital Retailing and How Your Dealership Can Prepare - Jessica Stafford, Autotrader & Denise Chudy, LivePerson | Jeff Dyke on Used Car Sales, Tesla, and the Future of EchoPark | How to Create a Truly Unique Selling Experience at Your Dealership

CBT News Week In Review for Friday, March 29th, 2019:

Shawn Hays on Personal Branding, Increasing Closing Percentages, Setting Goals and Managing Salespeople

On today’s show, we welcome back Your Car Guy Shawn Hays, co-founder of Sales Hustler and sales manager at Dan Cummins Chevrolet and Buick in St. Augustine, FL.

How to Create a Truly Unique Selling Experience at Your Dealership - Paul Potratz, Dealership Branding Expert

Every dealer knows that in order to disrupt your competition and stand out in the market, you have to be unique. Here to tell us how your dealership can create a truly unique approach to selling is expert branding strategist Paul Potratz, owner of Potratz Partners Advertising.

Sonic Automotive's Jeff Dyke on Used Car Sales, Tesla, and the Future of EchoParkOn today’s show, we welcome back Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive, the fourth-largest U.S. dealership group. In this segment, Jim and Jeff discuss downsizing, the state of the used car industry, disruption from Tesla, and what's on the agenda for EchoPark.

The Latest Trends in Digital Retailing and How Your Dealership Can Prepare - Jessica Stafford, Autotrader & Denise Chudy, LivePerson

On today’s show, we welcome back Jessica Stafford, senior vice president, and general manager at Autotrader and Denise Chudy, General manager at LivePerson Automotive. Jessica and Denise are here to discuss the latest trends in digital retailing, and how your dealership can prepare.