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.

Welcome back to The Automotive Advantage. Today we reveal the 2025 Automotive Awards that absolutely no one asked for, but everyone will have an opinion about. We break down the best, the worst, and the completely unhinged moments from across the automotive world and crown winners in categories like Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, Top Upfitter, Best Performance Part, Top Media, Best Event, and more. We even pick the Dogs of the Year and talk about the trends that shaped 2025.

Inside this episode we cover
• The car companies that actually moved the industry forward
• Why Ford, Dodge SRT, and Toyota dominated different segments
• Corvette ZR1, GTD, used enthusiast cars, and the rise of the $200K build
• The Slate truck hype and the f 150 as the new Fox Body
• Fox Factory, Singer, RTR, and the future of upfitted vehicles
• Why sim racing and iRacing are becoming real sanctioning bodies
• Influencers vs traditional media and why Bring a Trailer runs the culture
• Power Tour, Roadkill, Dream Cruise and the event boom
• The campaigns that worked and the ones that felt cursed
• HP Tuners, Whipple, and the new performance landscape
• The rise of AI generated chaos in automotive media

Then we give out our picks for moment of the year, person of the year, and the industry low points we hope stay in 2025.

Drop your top ten lists, tell us where we were wrong, and let us know what you are looking forward to in 2026.

New episodes every week. Like, comment, subscribe, and share with a friend who loves cars as much as we do.

This week on Automotive Advantage, we're back from Las Vegas and breaking down the biggest trends, surprises, and takeaways shaping the automotive aftermarket right now. From industry optimism to wild builds, from burnout culture to AI-generated launch videos… we cover it all.

In this episode:

• Why the vibe in Las Vegas felt shockingly positive this year
• What booth quality, brand presence, and attendance say about the industry
• The rise of content creators at major events and why brands are doubling down
• Why face-to-face events are back in a massive way (and how brands should adapt)
• The hot segments by hall and what that tells us about 2026
• Trucks dominating the industry and the F-150 becoming the new “muscle car”
• Why extreme builds and million-dollar cars are overshadowing relatable, bolt-on projects
• The burnout/takeover trend and the controversial idea that it’s replacing motorsports
• What’s missing at today’s events: karting, dragsters, dynos, and grassroots racing
• Insights into OEM activity, stealth recon work, and what new trends they’re tracking
• Big wins for brands including a top-12 Battle of the Builders finish for a black Gen 1 Bronco
• Why brighter car colors still dominate photography and social media performance
• The return of audio builds and the competitiveness of the North Hall landscape
• How one builder’s Las Vegas success is transforming his business overnight
• A look at new product drops, extreme horsepower trends, blowers-through-hoods, and more
• The growing influence of AI in automotive marketing… including a launch video that used it
• How AI is (and isn’t) reliable for social metrics and brand performance
• What brands should rethink for 2026 and why the industry feels strong heading into the new year

Whether you're a builder, brand, marketer, shop owner, or gearhead, this Vegas recap delivers real insights you can actually use.

Watch, subscribe, and drop a comment:
What trend surprised you the most?

The Automotive Aftermarket is shifting fast. Sales are soft, brands are pulling back, and AI is rewriting how business gets done.In this episode, Dr. Jamie Meyer and Justin Cesler dive into the latest MidwayPlus Market Index, breaking down real B2B and B2C numbers that reveal what’s actually happening across the industry. They unpack why consumer confidence is down, how product launches drive attention in a flat market, and why every brand needs to rethink its SEMA strategy... from timing embargoes to launching early and often.From there, the conversation turns to marketing budgets, content creation, and AI. The guys explain exactly how much brands should be spending on marketing, where small shops can start, and how AI tools like ChatGPT and Sora are giving businesses a true unfair advantage.This one’s packed with actionable insights for shop owners, brand leaders, and content creators who want to stay ahead of the curve in 2025.Chapters:Welcome to the Automotive AdvantageThe SEMA Crunch: When to Drop Your NewsUnderstanding Embargoes & Launch StrategyThe MidwayPlus Market Index: Real Industry DataWhat Flat Sales Mean for the AftermarketHow to Build a Modern Content & Marketing StrategyThe Rise of AI in AutomotiveThe Future of Media, Manufacturing & EventsFeaturing:Justin Cesler – Founder, Driveline StudiosDr. Jamie Meyer – President, 6757 Consulting#SEMA #AutomotiveAftermarket #Automotive

48 years. One dealership. A lifetime of stories from inside the automotive aftermarket.

This week on The Automotive Advantage, Justin Cesler and Dr. Jamie Meyer sit down with Nicky Fowler, the man many call the Godfather of Chevrolet Performance Parts. After nearly five decades with Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, Nicky opens up about building an $80M+ operation, the evolution of LS and LT engines, the truth about private equity, and how to actually survive in today’s changing automotive world.

From learning business lessons from his drag racing father to navigating GM, Ford, and the aftermarket, this episode is a masterclass in how to build longevity, integrity, and success in the industry we all love.

Highlights:

• How Nicky built one of the most powerful dealerships in the country

• The rise (and future) of LS and LT engines

• Why integrity still matters in a cutthroat market

• The real effects of private equity in the performance world

• The secrets to surviving 48 years in the automotive aftermarket

If you care about performance, racing, or what makes the industry tick, you can’t miss this one.

#AutomotiveAdvantage #ScogginDickey #ChevroletPerformance #LSEngine #LTEngine #Aftermarket #PerformanceParts #CarCulture

Brian Lounsberry (ex-Motovicity CEO, now CEO of MidwayPlus) breaks down what’s really happening in the automotive aftermarket: a live market index, why some brands win while others slide, and the ops fixes (not hype) that move revenue. We dig into B2B vs B2C, channel margins, packaging, seasonality, Cyber Week strategy, and what private equity is actually doing next. Hosted by Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting).Highlights:

• The market is down overall and how MidwayPlus’ index shows whether you’re beating or lagging the trend.

• What winning brands have in common (behavior changes, not excuses).

• What MidwayPlus actually is (and why it makes B2B as easy as buying coffee).
• B2B ≠ B2C: buyers aren’t “shopping”; they’re completing a task. Optimize for speed and trust.
• Channel margins: manufacturer, retailer, dropshipper, and WD... the real numbers.
• Packaging & fundamentals: why flimsy boxes cost you customers.
• Seasonality curve + Q4/Cyber playbook for performance parts.

Chapters:00:00 Intro & market index04:30 What MidwayPlus does for manufacturers12:10 B2B vs B2C: design for utility18:45 Channel margins (real talk)25:10 Packaging & ops that actually move revenue33:00 Seasonality curve + Cyber Week plan40:00 PE, demand gen, and marketing that compounds47:00 Closing takeawaysSubscribe for weekly episodes that help you grow a modern automotive business.

It’s fourth quarter and that means pressure, opportunity,and the perfect time to rethink your 2026 automotive strategy.

In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, Dr. Jamie Meyer and Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) break down how to survive and thrive in Q4. From industry trends and smart budgeting to social strategy, daring moves, and trade show survival tips… this one’s loaded.

Here’s what we cover:

• Q4 trends in the automotive aftermarket
• Why “flat” might actually be winning right now
• How to be 20% more daring in 2026
• Paid vs. earned media and building smarter marketing plans
• Social media that actually drives business
• The importance of new product launches
• What’s happening with private equity & consolidation
• Trade show survival guide for SEMA, PRI, HPX, and beyond
• AI “work slop,” Sora, and the future of content

Whether you’re a shop owner, marketer, or industry exec,this is your Q4 playbook for finishing strong and building momentum into 2026.

Comment what your Q4 focus is this year.

Everyone sees the speed… but few ever see the business behind it.In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Ida Zetterström, NHRA Top Fuel driver, European champion, and one of the most exciting rising stars in drag racing.Ida breaks down what it really takes to race at 330+ mph:

• How she built her brand from racing bikes in Europe to piloting the quickest cars on earth.
• The true cost of running Top Fuel in America vs. Europe.
• Why sponsorships are about more than logos on cars and how she’s bringing new brands into the sport.
• The behind-the-scenes hustle that makes racing possible.
• Why companies of any size can get involved and see a return on investment.

This is the insider’s look at motorsport sponsorship that no one else is talking about - the dollars, the strategy, the opportunities - and it might just change the way you think about racing.👉 Follow Ida on Instagram: @dragsterfia👉 Subscribe for more episodes of The Automotive Advantage