How do you build a performance shop that lasts 36 years? Donnie Walsh Jr. of D&D Performance in Wixom, Michigan has the answer and it starts with a dad, two slicks, a jack, and a trunk full of nitrous bottles in the late 1980s.

In this episode of Automotive Advantage, Justin sits down with one of the most respected names in Mustang and performance transmission history. Donnie and his father started D&D Performance out of their basement building T5 transmissions running a single print ad with hours from 6 to 9 PM. Today, D&D is a full-service performance shop specializing in Tremec and BorgWarner transmissions, driveline builds, supercharger and turbocharger installs, and dyno tuning — and they're up 20% year over year.

In this episode:

• Donnie's drag racing career competing in Fox body Mustang classes from the nitrous era through Pro Mod, and why he was considered the best driver in NMRA Mustang history
• How D&D Performance started: basement-built rear axles, a T5 transmission niche, and a BorgWarner deal that launched a 36-year business
• The real margins on performance shop work: why building cars is passion-driven, not profit-driven, and where the real money actually comes from
• What separates shops that last from shops that close: customer experience, staying on the phone, and rebuilding a transmission overnight at a car show
• Reading the market right now: economic headwinds, the return of the $40K fun car, and why D&D is up 20% while others are tightening
• The Fox body Mustang legacy and what the new Mustang is getting wrong: why attainability built the aftermarket, and why that's being lost
• The future of D&D: a new mainline hub dyno, a revamped website with install videos, and why private equity isn't the answer for shops like this

D&D Performance is one of the most trusted names in Ford performance and Tremec transmission builds in the country. If you're a shop owner, performance enthusiast, or automotive business operator this conversation is a masterclass in staying relevant, staying profitable, and staying true to why you started.

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The Tremec Manual Transaxle stopped SEMA cold. Phones are ringing off the hook. And yet... the Corvette world isn't sure what to believe.In this episode of Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Mike Kidd, Aftermarket Business Unit Manager at Tremec, to get the straight story on the manual transaxle that became the most talked-about Corvette product and why the internet's assumptions about it being a factory C8 option were dead wrong.Mike sets the record straight, breaks down what this transmission actually is, who it's built for, and when you can get your hands on one. We also dig into why manual transmissions are dying in production vehicles but why the aftermarket demand has never been stronger.What We Cover:* The C8 Manual Transaxle: How fake is it?* Why Tremec built it (and what it's NOT)* When can you actually buy one? (The 2027 timeline)* What else can it fit? GT500, GTD, and beyond* Manual transmissions are down to 2% of production vehicles — here's why that's a lie* Why a C7 Grand Sport manual is worth $10–15K more than an automatic right now* Tremec's full product lineup: TKX, Magnum, T5, and the new aftermarket DCT* How Tremec uses vehicle registration data to spot market opportunities* 37 shows a year: how Tremec wins the floor at SEMA, Power Tour, and Mustang Week* How to get a Tremec sponsorship (and what actually gets you renewed)🔗 Find Tremec:Website: tremec.comTech Line: 800-401-9866Automotive Advantage is the podcast for automotive aftermarket owners, operators, and builders who take the business side of this industry seriously. New episodes drop weekly.🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.👍 If this was useful, leave us a like, it helps other serious automotive professionals find the show.#C8Corvette #ManualTransmission #Tremec #CorvetteGrandSport

Sacred cows of the automotive industry... we're putting them on the chopping block. In this episode, Jamie and Justin take the biggest "golden rules" of automotive marketing, product strategy, and business and test whether they still hold up in 2026. Spoiler: most of them don't.We kick things off with what's happening in the real world right now: rising fuel prices driven by the conflict in Iran, shaken consumer confidence, brutal job reports, and what all of that means for performance shops, aftermarket brands, and the events industry. Travel costs are through the roof, hotel rooms are skyrocketing, and hard drives doubled in price in three months. Something's got to give.Then we get into the AI conversation you need to hear. Jamie shares a mind-bending party trick from an Amazon AI executive... ask any AI to pick a random number between 1 and 25, and the answer is always 17. What does that tell us about the tools we're trusting with business decisions? We also break down real-world AI use cases that are closing deals at 2AM, and why this technology is a force multiplier, not a job killer.We recap the 2026 Detroit Auto-Rama, the Riddler Award winner "Elegant Lady," and have an honest conversation about where this legendary car show needs to go to stay relevant in the modern era.And then the main event. Sacred Cows of the Auto Industry:🐄 Win on Sunday, sell on Monday: Does motorsport still move the needle for manufacturers?🐄 Kids just aren't into cars anymore: We bust this myth wide open🐄 Only market to young people: Why ignoring boomers is the most expensive mistake in automotive marketing🐄 No one buys cars anymore, it's all SUVs and trucks: Is the sedan really dead?🐄 Double down on marketing in a down economy: Smart strategy or agency upsell?Whether you run a performance shop, manage a brand, or just want to know what's really happening in the auto industry right now... this one's packed.

What did it actually take to build one of the most iconic automotive ad campaigns in American history? In this episode, host Jamie sits down with Ty Damon — fourth-generation Detroit ad man and recently retired veteran of Jack Morton — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the golden age of automotive advertising, what killed it, and what the industry desperately needs to reclaim.Ty breaks down the full architecture of how Detroit's agency world worked at its peak from product planning and positioning to media strategy and multi-million dollar production budgets. He tells the story behind the Chevy Tahoe launch, the "Like a Rock" campaign, a $576 million Manchester United sponsorship, and what it felt like to hand autographs to Chinese schoolchildren who mistook him for Wayne Rooney.But this episode isn't just nostalgia. It's a masterclass in what great marketing actually requires: knowing your product, knowing your customer, and having the conviction to stick with a big idea long enough for it to become iconic.If you've ever wondered why modern automotive marketing feels hollow — more data, fewer insights, more content, less impact — Ty explains exactly how we got here and why the compression of creative talent into generalist roles is costing the industry more than anyone admits.Topics covered:* How Detroit's advertising infrastructure compared to Hollywood in its prime* Product positioning vs. snappy headlines... what actually sells vehicles* The real story behind "Like a Rock" and why it worked for 11 years* Why the shift from commission-based to fee-based agency models changed everything* The data paradox: more analytics, worse insights* What the automotive aftermarket can learn from the golden era of brand buildingThis is the kind of conversation that only happens when someone has truly lived it. Don't miss it.Subscribe for new episodes every week.🎙️ Automotive Advantage — Where the automotive industry goes to think bigger, build smarter, and grow faster.

“Title means nothing... solving problems is what matters.” Eric Schwab has spent 25 years working alongside the industry's top CEOs and CMOs to shape how we discover, shop for, and love cars. Today, he pulls back the curtain on the strategies that actually move the needle in a world of tariffs, shifting tech, and endless choices.Key Takeaways:The Power of Trust: Why legacy awards and brand credibility are more important now than they were 10 years ago.

Aspirational Marketing: How performance vehicles like the Raptor R and ZR1 drive growth for the entire lineup.

The New Event Strategy: Why 40% of the audience at major car events are now brand-new consumers.

Private Equity in the Aftermarket: Advice for owners looking to navigate the consolidation wave.If you’re in the automotive aftermarket, OEM, dealership world, media, events, or content creation… this episode is essential.The Wild West of automotive media is back.Are you positioned correctly?—🎧 Subscribe for weekly insights on growing automotive businesses📩 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn if you want to continue the conversation🚗 Powered by Driveline Studios#AutomotiveIndustry #MotorTrend #HotRod #AutomotiveMarketing #CarCulture #Aftermarket #OEM #PrivateEquity #InfluencerMarketing #Roadkill #Hearst

General Motors writes off $7.2 billion in EV losses… and the stock goes UP. Record profits. A 20% dividend hike. Meanwhile, tiny enthusiast programs can’t get approved.What is actually happening in the automotive industry right now?In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we break down:• The GM Q4 earnings surprise and what it signals for 2026 • Why trucks and SUVs continue to dominate OEM profits• MidwayPlus aftermarket data showing demand up 37% but conversions down• Why high net worth buyers are doubling exotic car values at auction• Record-breaking Barrett-style auction results and what they mean for your business• Rolex 24 viewership surging and racing momentum returning• Why $200,000 trucks keep selling out• Minivan sales up 21% (yes, really)• The High Performance Expo movement building in Charlotte• How a niche Corvette dealer sold multiple cars from one podcast appearance• Opus Clip, AI content, and whether you’re overthinking social media• The truth about AI agents and what business owners should actually care aboutIf you’re in the automotive aftermarket, performance parts, racing, dealership operations, or automotive marketing, this episode is packed with real signals you should be watching heading into 2026.The economy feels loose. Racing is back. Big trucks are king. High-end buyers are spending aggressively. The question is… are you positioned correctly?Subscribe for weekly insights on growing your automotive business smarter.

Buying a new performance car should not feel like a trap.

In this episode of Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Alan Johnson, widely known as the best Corvette salesman in the country, to break down how the dealership world actually works… and how buyers can win.

We cover what allocation really means, why MSRP is not the whole story, how dealership relationships matter more than people think, and what separates a great Corvette buying experience from a nightmare.

Alan also walks through the entire modern Corvette lineup, from Stingray to Z06 to ZR1, explains which options actually matter, which ones hurt resale, and why most people overspend in the wrong places.

If you are shopping for a Corvette, a performance car, or just want to understand how dealers think behind the scenes, this episode will save you time, money, and frustration.

Topics include:

How Corvette allocations actually work

Why long term dealer relationships matter

The real difference between Stingray, Z06, E-Ray, and ZR1

What options are worth the money and which are not

How used Corvettes really hold value

Why some buyers get priority access and others never do

This episode applies to more than Corvettes. These lessons translate to buying any performance car today.

Also, if you see any errors in the video render, we apologize! Seems like we're having an issue with one of the cameras, we will get it fixed ASAP.

Cyberattacks are no longer a “big company problem.” In 2026, every automotive business is a target.In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we sit down with cybersecurity expert Brad Brown to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes and why ignoring security today can cost you everything tomorrow.We cover:* Why hackers don’t need to “guess” your password anymore* The biggest cybersecurity mistakes shop owners make without realizing it* How phishing, spoofed emails, and fake Zoom calls are stealing millions* Why social media access and shared passwords are massive risks* What multi factor authentication actually protects and what it doesn’t* How AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning are changing scams forever* Real world examples of companies losing millions overnight* Simple steps any business can take right now to reduce riskThis isn’t about paranoia. It’s about awareness, basic hygiene, and protecting what you’ve spent years building.If you run a shop, manage an automotive brand, handle finances, or touch customer data in any way, this episode could save your business.Listen now and make 2026 the year you stop being an easy target.

What actually drives 100x growth in the automotive industry?In this episode of the Automotive Advantage Podcast, Justin and Jamie sit down with Robin Lawrence, known across the industry as Uncle Robin, to break down the real sales techniques that win long term.This is not about quick wins, influencer hype, or chasing metrics that do not matter.Robin shares how patience, credibility, and relationship driven selling helped build some of the most successful aftermarket programs in history, including lessons learned from his time working with Holley and GM Performance Parts.You will learn why the biggest sales opportunities often take years to close, how to sell without pitching, how to help shops and customers make more money instead of just moving product, and why most automotive businesses struggle when they chase short term revenue.They also unpack what automotive brands need to do differently heading into 2026, how to build trust in a crowded market, and how the best operators think several moves ahead while everyone else is stuck reacting.If you run a speed shop, performance brand, dealership, or aftermarket business and want sales strategies that actually scale, this episode lays out the blueprint.

What does 2026 really look like for the automotive industry?

In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we make bold predictions about where the industry is headed and what is about to change fast. From EV missteps and OEM course corrections to the rise of AI in launch photography, media, and marketing, nothing is off the table.

We break down real data from the Midway Index showing surprising momentum in the aftermarket, talk racing shakeups across F1, NASCAR, IHRA, and drag racing, and dig into what performance parts, diesel, and resto-mod culture look like next.

This episode also goes deep on events, attention over marketing, private equity, fatigue in the workforce, and how brands should actually prepare for the year ahead instead of guessing.

If you work in the automotive aftermarket, racing, OEM, media, or marketing world and want a grounded, no-hype look at what is coming in 2026, this one is required listening.

Topics include:
• The possible end of traditional automotive launch photography
• EV reality checks and OEM strategy shifts
• Racing predictions across F1, NASCAR, IHRA, and beyond
• Performance parts trends and where power is going next
• Events, attention, and why in-person matters more than ever
• Private equity, new product launches, and brand relevance
• How AI is already changing the industry in real ways

Subscribe for weekly conversations on business, marketing, and the future of the automotive industry.