Co-host of the Podcast, Kelly Cruz, set out for another car buying journey. Her notoriety on the show is that she is a habitual leaser and shrewd negotiator. Her time as co-host has introduced her to companies and their technologies like Roadster, Autogravity, Dealer Socket, and Automotive Mastermind, to name a few. She’s heard the voices of dealer executives discuss how their operation align with the customer experience. And she, like most other working mothers, wants viable solutions to vehicle and infrastructure safety for her children through connected mobility. BUT…she still likes material possessions, and in this case, she likes buying, driving and riding in nice cars.

December is always a big month for automotive retailers, and the automotive industry as a whole, as many car buyers want to buy that shiny new toy to show off, or just spend that extra Christmas bonus on something new (clinically, they call it “retail therapy”).  If you are in the market for a car this month, tune into this episode to hear:

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Dealerships are a dime a dozen . If you can’t find the deal you are looking for or you don’t like the staff member that you are working with, the next dealer is just a few miles down the road. As a dealer, you must be able to differentiate yourself as much as possible. And differentiation starts at the top.

In this episode, we hear from Center Operator-Manager, Marcel Sandoval from Jaguar San Diego. He shares with us his dealership operation, with particular attention given to the relationship between automakers and dealers. The power struggle between both parties is tense, all of which customers never see.

As automakers continue to develop their methods to transact directly to customers, then dealers must evolve, adapt, and demonstrate that their dealership operation is different and better than their competitors.

And how does Marcelo do this…by searching for purple cows!?!

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The LA Auto Show debuts on November 30 and lasts until December 9th at the LA Convention Center. General admission tickets start at $12, seniors are $10, and children between ages 6-12 are $5. Check out laautoshow.com for more details. Also, be sure to follow popular hashtags through social media — #laautoshow #laautoshow2018 #laas2018

Today’s guest is part of a counterculture. They usually wake up early on weekends and leave their wives and children behind so they can play with the boys and their toys. When they visit a dealer, they often test sales staff on their knowledge of the vehicle. When they service their car with a dealer, service advisors better ensure there are no water spots on the car.

Yes, they are automotive enthusiasts, and they are also more than that. Gear heads, grease monkeys, and car junkies. They have gasoline in their blood, and not that weak 91 octane stuff. We’re talking 100 octane racing fuel.

Albert Roxas was born a car nut. In the last 24 years, he has cycled through 23 cars. His first car was a 1992 Honda Civic. After that, 1992 Acura Integra GS-R, then a 1993 Toyota MR-2. Before there was JDM, he was JDM.

He’s toyed with BMW M5s (yes, that’s plural), Porsche 911s (yes, that’s plural), and exotics like an Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardo, and a BMW i8. But he’s not snobbish. He’s owned a Prius, an FJ Cruiser, and the extinct Scion XB. If it has 4 wheels, a tranny, and a steering wheel, then he’ll upgrade the wheels, blow the tranny, and modify the steering wheel.

Here to share his tour of this year’s LA Auto Show, please welcome my good friend, Mr. Albert Roxas.

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Toyota’s first telematics program was initially developed in the late 90s in Japan. Built off the GAZOO infrastructure of Toyota’s membership-based information service and membership system, it provided interactive information services like requesting a tow truck and weather forecasts. The interdisciplinary field of telematics encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering, and computer science. With the first telematics program launched in Japan, it was only a matter of time until its implementation here in the United States.

Our guest is Jon Bucci. Jon was the divisional leader of Toyota’s connected vehicle technology department from 2008 until 2013. Leading a team of 150 members, they launched Toyota’s first telematics program, dubbed Entune for Toyota and Enform for Lexus, in the United States. Jon is well versed in telecommunications, business development, strategy articulation, project and program management, partner evaluations, and RFP management.

Having logged 39 years in the automotive space, Jon was inducted into the Telematics Update Hall of Fame in 2016.

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Next week from November 26-29 is Automobility LA, the premier conference for leaders of the new mobility movement. In conjunction with the LA Auto Show, these dual-purpose events bring together automakers, government officials, technocrats, academics, startups, foreign press, automotive retailers, transportation professionals, and the forever critical automotive enthusiasts, gear heads, and futurists.

We have two great guests who work at Automobility LA and the LA Auto Show. Our first guest is a proud fighting Trojan, Lefty Tsironis. As the Director of Experiential Marketing, Lefty leverages the show’s platform to position brands to engage their target audience. As a result, he helped re-brand the LA Auto Show, helped launch the Connected Car Expo, helped form the prestigious event known as Automobility LA, and has introduced several new destinations and experiences for attendees.

His co-worker in crime is a proud fighting Illini, Alexis Evans. Alexis serves as the Director of Communications, and is in charge of the Top Ten Automotive Startup competition, and the hackathon, now dubbed Code Automobility LA.

Together, they are part of the management team who organize Automobility LA and the LA Auto Show.

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The widespread adoption of connected vehicles needs global input and contributions. One of these thought leaders paying it forward is Scott McCormick, who serves as the President of the Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA). In his role, Scott travels the world to speak at industry conferences and even hosts his own connected vehicle conference in Detroit, Michigan. He is constantly surrounded by the biggest players in the automotive, technology, and transportation space. In this episode, Scott divulges insider information on his discussions with some of the top companies and politicians who are forging ideas and debating issues to bring about a connected vehicle future.

The Department of Transportation has released their third edition of guidelines for an autonomous vehicle future. To view this guide, please click here.

DOT is accepting comments through December 3, 2018. To contribute comments online, please click here.

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For neophytes of automotive technologies, episode #51 describes what DSRC and 5G are and best use cases for each. Managing Principal of P3 Group, Stephen Xu, shares his knowledge of these two technologies, and how governments and companies have been using them.

Originally from China, Stephen obtained a degree in mechanical engineering and was the graduate speaker of his class. He emigrated to the United States in 2009 and earned an MBA at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. For the last 8 years, he’s been working with P3 Group and is working with government officials and automakers in the Southern California region.

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Former President of BMW Canada and Jaguar Land Rover Canada, Lindsay Duffield, imparts his knowledge and wisdom in assessing today’s automotive landscape. A myriad of topics were discussed in a powerful one hour recording session:

+ Automotive Lessons from 2008

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Support one of Lindsay’s causes to help the homeless. Visit his ‘Lindsay’s Hockey Helps the Homeless 2018‘ page for more info and to donate.

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Explore vehicles in the comfort of your home through augmented and virtual reality. RelayCars, and their parent Evox Images, have built immersive experiences by capturing 2D and 3D images from their in-house studios and robotic camera setups. Through their app, which is widely available on any app store, users can develop the emotional connection that is fundamental to the car buying process. Travis Falstad and Dave Weber share insight on what AR/VR means to them, and how RelayCars is laying the ground work for the eventual widespread adoption of this technology.

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The future of automotive is being swallowed by transportation. To this end, the Department of Transportation has produced their third installment of a federal guide to automated vehicles. Our automation correspondent, Andy Ace, introduces what this guide is and what effects may result out of it.

Also, Kelly is in the market for a new family hauler. Listen to her cross examination by Dennis.

Department of Transportation:

Automation Correspondent:

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