Tariffs may come and go, but dealer preparedness for change must remain steady. Dealers need to build and continuously update their "what if" strategies to navigate economic fluctuations, inventory challenges, and whatever else the future may hold.

In this episode of Dealer Confidential, host Ilana Shabtay talks with Michael Cirillo of ASOTU, FlexDealers, and The Dealer Playbook Podcast about the impact of tariffs on the automotive industry. They highlight the importance of developing proactive response plans, discuss political influences on the market, underscore the value of exceptional customer service, and emphasize the need to anticipate changes to succeed in uncertain times.

Here's what one anonymous dealer had to say:

Dear Ilana,

Tariffs are on everyone's mind. Despite the tariffs being all over the news, discussed in conferences, and in my inbox, I'm still not sure what I should or shouldn't be doing to prepare my dealership. With all of the uncertainty, I'm not sure what I should be saying to my staff.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Dealer

Ilana and Michael dive into:

• Why dealerships must prepare for the impact of tariffs, or other industry changes;

• How politics influences the automotive industry;

• Why anticipating market changes is essential for a successful dealership.

Michael Cirillo is the Co-founder and CEO of FlexDealer, a company that helps retail auto dealers turn traffic into revenue with strategies and technologies that lead to car purchases. . Michael is also the host of The Dealer Playbook podcast and Chief of Staff at ASOTU.

Resources mentioned:

• Ilana Shabtay

• Michael Cirillo

• FlexDealer

• ASOTU

• The Dealer Playbook