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Fixed ops is the real front door.

Dan Shine, Senior Editor for Automotive News, brings a fresh yet deeply informed perspective to the backbone of automotive retail - fixed operations. With a journalistic journey spanning over two decades, including significant stints in both newspaper and educational sectors, Dan's career path led him unexpectedly into the automotive sphere. His approach combines a rich historical knowledge of Detroit's automotive culture with a pragmatic view of current industry challenges, offering a unique lens on the evolving dynamics of automotive retail.

In his down-to-earth demeanor, Dan discusses the essential role that fixed ops play in the financial health of dealerships, contrasting it sharply with the more "showy" sales side of operations. He brings to light the innovative and essential strategies dealerships are implementing to tackle challenges such as customer retention, the introduction of EVs, and the necessary pivot back towards providing comprehensive services including tire sales and windshield repairs.

Timestamped Takeaways:

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier and Michael Cirillo

0:45 Contrasting Fixed Ops and Sales

3:12 Dan's journey from traditional journalism to automotive

6:39 Starting a new job during the pandemic

14:32 The need for innovative customer retention strategies

18:36 Finding new revenue streams in fixed ops

22:19 Building Customer Loyalty

Dan Shine is the Senior Editor at Automotive News

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