CBT Automotive Network Podcast

As we gear up for the annual NADA show in San Francisco at the end of this month, we’re pleased to welcome Rhett Ricart, Vice Chairman-Elect. Rhett is also President and CEO of Ricart Automotive and today, he speaks with Jim Fitzpatrick about his career in the auto industry and what we can expect from the upcoming NADA show.

Retail Auto Finishes 2018 on a High Note | 6 Simple Tools To Boost Your Productivity | Three Ways a 25 Percent Tariff Hike Could Impact Dealers and Consumers

Today on CBTNews.com - Tuesday, January 8th, 2019:

Retail Auto Finishes 2018 on a High Note - Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com

Historically low unemployment, new tax cuts, and a sharp decrease in gas prices set the tone for yet another strong year for 2018. According to numerous projections, the industry is likely to see the fourth consecutive year above 17 million vehicles. Here to tell us more about the December numbers is Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com, Jessica Caldwell.

6 Simple Tools To Boost Your Productivity

If you own or work at a company such as a dealership you’re an authorized seller and have a mass amount of business coming through you and or your employees at an almost incessant pace. It can be a challenge to manage daily tasks outside of servicing new customers such as setting up appointments, doing meetings, updating emails, following up on your established customer base and drawing up contracts. Here is a list of 5 simple tools and tips that will help get you organized and boost your productivity.

Three Ways a 25 Percent Tariff Hike Could Impact Dealers and Consumers In 2019

It is important to note that while current tariffs will still have a potentially negative impact on automakers, dealers, and consumers, much of the above projections depends on if the Chinese tariffs increase to 25 percent. If they do, many in the automotive industry will have to reassess their sales strategies and prepare for large-scale economic shifts. Knowing the potential problems ahead of time can help dealers brace for potential hits down the line. Information from various studies mentioned above reveals how important it is to always consider all players that can impact automotive sales markets, including the Federal Government.

Historically low unemployment, new tax cuts, and a sharp decrease in gas prices set the tone for yet another strong year for 2018. According to numerous projections, the industry is likely to see the fourth consecutive year above 17 million vehicles. Here to tell us more about the December numbers is Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com, Jessica Caldwell.

Automotive Retail Trends for 2019 - Matt DeLorenzo, KBB | The Science of Negotiation | Are You Hiring for Skill Sets Your Dealership Needs Most?

Today on CBTNews.com - Monday, January 7th, 2019:

Automotive Retail Trends for 2019 - Matt DeLorenzo, Kelley Blue Book

2018 has been a year of continued innovation and big advances in technology, and with these changes comes new demands from consumers. From car buying experiences, to preferences, and car ownership expectations, there’s certainly a lot for dealers to consider in the new year. On today’s show, Jim Fitzpatrick speaks with Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor at Kelley Blue Book to discuss some major innovations the industry saw at December’s L.A. Auto Show as well as where auto retail is headed this year.

The Science of Negotiation: Best Practices for Handling Negotiations at Your Dealership

Negotiation is a word that causes excitement in some and dread in others. To many, negotiations may seem like an unnecessary part of doing business, but in most industries—including automotive dealerships—negotiation is a regular part of life. The ultimate goal should be to ensure a beneficial outcome that not only satisfies what you are looking for but that also doesn’t diminish your reputation with your customers or your employees.

Are You Hiring for Skill Sets Your Dealership Needs Most?

The 21st Century is shaping up to be one of great change for the auto industry. In this ever-shifting environment, it seems harder than ever to determine who would make a good team member when looking at potential employees. That said, there are a few key skills you’ll want to look for during the interview process. These are skill sets that are emerging as vital for dealerships that want to maintain an edge as we march further and further into this new world of ours.

2018 has been a year of continued innovation and big advances in technology, and with these changes comes new demands from consumers. From car buying experiences, to preferences, and car ownership expectations, there’s certainly a lot for dealers to consider in the new year. On today’s show, Jim Fitzpatrick speaks with Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor at Kelley Blue Book to discuss some major innovations the industry saw at December’s L.A. Auto Show as well as the automotive retail trends for 2019.

Start the Year Strong with These Digital Marketing Strategies | What’s Coming Up in the Auto Industry | Discontinued Cars Could Mean Big Profits for Service Departments

Today on CBTNews.com - Wednesday, January 2nd, 2018:

Start the Year Strong with These Digital Marketing Strategies - Eric Mercado, Force Marketing

Successful digital marketing strategies are more important now than ever for your dealership, but how can dealers accurately measure their online engagement? On today's show, Jim speaks with Eric Mercado, Chief Sales Officer for Force Marketing to discuss the best marketing practices to implement at your dealership in the new year.

Mark Your 2019 Calendars: Here’s What’s Coming Up in the Auto Industry!

Looking to attend more automotive events to network and expand your business in 2019 Here’s a list of conferences, expos, and other events coming up this year in the Auto Industry!

Discontinued Cars Could Mean Big Profits for Service Departments

Things in the automotive industry are constantly changing. From one year to the next, it is difficult to tell what the most popular vehicle will be. Recent trends suggest that SUVs, crossovers, and trucks are in and cars are out. In fact, cars are becoming so unpopular that automotive manufacturers, like Ford and Chevy, are discontinuing almost all their sedan models and SUV or truck.

What the Industry Can Do to Recruit Female Talent in 2019 | New Vehicle Sales to Continue Decline in 2019 | Top 5 Trends For Marketing Strategies In 2019

Today on CBTNews.com - Thursday, January 3rd, 2019:

What the Industry Can Do to Recruit Female Talent in 2019 - Lisa Copeland and Brian Benstock

On today’s show, we’re very pleased to welcome Lisa Copeland, founder of Lisa Copeland Global and CEO of Cars Her Way, as well as Brian Benstock, GM and Vice President of Paragon Honda to discuss women in automotive and what the industry can do more of in 2019 to attract females to our phenomenal industry.

New Vehicle Sales to Continue Decline in 2019

Ebbs and flows in the market are expected. 2019 shows to be the start of a market retraction after. After hitting a peak of 17.5M in 2016, new car sales are expected to dip below 17M for the first time in 5 years. In a report released recently with forecasts and trends for 2019, Edmunds predicts total new car sales to top out at 16.9M in 2019.

Top 5 Trends For Marketing Strategies In 2019

Marketing is still one of the best ways to spread awareness for a product, service or brand. With an ever-changing landscape when it comes to consumer satisfaction, paying attention to the current trends is a good way to stay ahead of the competition. There were a number of prevailing trends in 2018 that were well worth considering and implementing. Below is a quick refresher on what worked well in 2018.

How to Become More Customer Centric at Your Dealership - Jim Roche | 2019 Looking to be a Year of Change in the Auto Industry | Optimism, Healthy Sales, and Incentives Highlight the Finish Line of 2018 Sales

Today on CBTNews.com - Friday, January 4th, 2019:

How to Become More Customer Centric at Your Dealership - Jim Roche, Xtime

The quality of your customer’s overall experience in the service department can have lasting consequences on your dealership; good or bad. In anticipation for this year’s changes in the automotive retail market, our guest today has some great strategies for delivering the unique buying experiences that customers expect today. Joining Jim Fitzpatrick is Jim Roche, senior vice president of marketing and managed services at Xtime to discuss what dealerships can do today to become more customer-centric.

2019 Looking to be a Year of Change in the Auto Industry

The automotive industry saw record sales this past year. Should gas prices remain at their current low, optimists are hoping to see the sales trends continue to hold as more people hit the road. Those who see the glass half empty, however, are predicting a drop in sales, as tariffs and surges in gas prices and interest rates contribute to sticker tags that make owning a car less appealing to consumers.

Optimism, Healthy Sales, and Incentives Highlight the Finish Line of 2018 Sales

This past year was met with a lot twisting turns when it came to auto sales and trends. However, in the end, many were wondering how 2018 would eventually shape up, and December’s sales results held the final piece of the puzzle. Estimates given by leading analysts from Cox Automotive and Edmunds have revealed that December is on track to show some of the most robust results of the past year.

Lisa Copeland, founder of Lisa Copeland Global and CEO of Cars Her Way, as well as Brian Benstock, GM and Vice President of Paragon Honda to discuss women in automotive and what the industry can do more of in 2019 to recruit female talent to our phenomenal industry.

The quality of your customer’s overall experience in the service department can have lasting consequences on your dealership; good or bad. In anticipation for this year’s changes in the automotive retail market, our guest today has some great strategies for delivering the unique buying experiences that customers expect today. Joining Jim Fitzpatrick is Jim Roche, senior vice president of marketing and managed services at Xtime to discuss what dealerships can do today to become more customer-centric.