Car Dealership Guy Podcast

• No B.S. Dealer Strategy: How Brett Sutherlin Built a Toyota Powerhouse (& What Brands He’s Avoiding) | Brett Sutherlin, Dealer Principal of Sutherlin Automotive Group

  Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Brett Sutherlin, Dealer Principal of Sutherlin Automotive Group, to discuss: His no B.S. dealer strategy and what brands he's avoiding, How he's doubling margin vs his competition with Google Business Profiles, Buying dealerships off of Linkedin and much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. DriveHRIS - DriveHRIS streamlines hiring, onboarding, timesheets, PTO tracking, and payroll— all in one seamless platform. Let DriveHRIS handle HR and Safety so you can focus on what really matters— boosting your CSI scores, improving customer experience, and selling more vehicles. Visit https://drive2025.com/ to grab your FREE workbook on 'Retention Strategies for Dealerships in 2025. 2. CDK Global – Your trusted technology partner for car dealers and automakers. CDK doesn’t just deliver top-tier tech solutions; they provide game-changing industry insights. Beyond top-tier tech, their Friction Points Study uncovers what’s slowing car purchases—highlighting how dealers are closing time gaps and why F&I remains crucial. Get the full report at CDK.com/insights. 3. CDG Recruiting - Building on the success of my industry job board, I’m launching CDG Recruiting — a more hands-on, personalized automotive recruiting service. Our team has decades of experience and has successfully placed over 1,000 roles in the automotive industry. So if you’re ready to find your next rockstar employee, try CDG Recruiting today by visiting @ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ 🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes: Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Topics: 01:34 How do dealership operations vary across different locations? 03:46 What tech innovations are transforming dealerships today? 10:08 What strategies are most effective for service departments? 18:23 What are your future plans for growth? 21:49 How can businesses leverage AI for success? 22:43 How can dealerships optimize their digital presence? 26:24 What strategies work best for recruiting and retention? 28:41 How can dealerships maximize customer lifetime value through advertising? 32:34 What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the car business today? Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com

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• Hard Lessons Learned: Brute-Forcing His Way to 12 Dealerships & $1B+ Revenue | Matt Bowers, Dealer Principal at Matt Bowers Auto Group

  Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Bowers, Dealer Principal of Matt Bowers Automotive Group, to discuss how he brute-forced his way to 12 dealerships and $1 billion in revenue, his unlikely start in the car business and tumultuous path to becoming a powerhouse auto group owner, the most important factor when buying a dealership, and much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Lotlinx - Get the best possible market advantage on every vehicle transaction. Optimize operations and boost profits using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Learn more @ https://lotlinx.com/ 2. CDG Recruiting - Building on the success of my industry job board, I’m launching CDG Recruiting — a more hands-on, personalized automotive recruiting service. Our team has decades of experience and has successfully placed over 1,000 roles in the automotive industry. So if you’re ready to find your next rockstar employee, try CDG Recruiting today by visiting @ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ 🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes: Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Topics: 00:56: What are Matt's insights from the NADA Convention? 02:00: How does the Super Bowl relate to Matt's personal life? 02:36: What are the crowdsourced opinions on Matt Bowers? 03:33: What was Matt Bowers' early career like? 04:34: What family background and early influences shaped Matt Bowers? 05:48: What challenges did Matt Bowers face in his career progression? 10:25: What led to Matt Bowers' transition to ownership? 25:41: What market trends and acquisition strategies are relevant in the industry? 27:59: What are the challenges and risks in the business? Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com #CarBusinessJourney #OvercomingAdversity #MentorshipImpact

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• Industry Spotlight: How Sonic Automotive Joined Forces With The Biggest E-Retailer In The World To Sell Cars

  Welcome to Industry Spotlight—a focused series hosted by Sam D’Arc, highlighting standout dealerships and innovative companies, and exploring the trends driving success in today’s automotive market. Today, Sam sits down with Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive, and Matt Nuffort. Director at Amazon Autos. This episode of the Car Dealership Guy Podcast is brought to you by Amazon Autos. 1. Amazon Autos - Learn more about the Amazon Autos Beta here 🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes: Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Topics: 00:00: Intro 01:02 What are the challenges in digital car retailing? 03:02 How do dealer partnerships influence profitability? 05:58 How does the omni-channel approach improve customer experience? 10:12 What are the future solutions for F&I products? 24:48 How has Amazon impacted CSI scores? 25:09 How does the Amazon sales process work in dealerships? 26:15 How do Amazon standards affect customer satisfaction? 28:54 What are Amazon's dealer standards and policies? 36:37 How can dealers participate and collaborate more effectively? Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

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• Dealership University: Elgie Bright’s Game Plan for Auto’s Future—In a Time of Disruption | Elgie Bright, Department Chair, Automotive Marketing/Management at Northwood University

  Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Elgie Bright, Chair at Northwood University, to discuss his game plan for the future of auto in a time of disruption, the importance of developing lifelong learners, building automotive retail curriculum to tackle tomorrow’s technologies, and much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Ikon Technologies - Ikon Technologies was founded by dealers, for dealers, to solve the daily challenges your dealership faces. Our no-cost Lot Management Platform, with Find the Car, Find the Keys™ technology, makes finding inventory easy, while our patented Smart Marketing platform and Dealer-branded Connect app drives customer loyalty and drive revenue growth back to your dealership. Schedule a demo today to see how Ikon Technologies can help drive your dealership’s success by visiting @ https://hubs.la/Q02WVYbV0 2. CDG Recruiting - Building on the success of my industry job board, I’m launching CDG Recruiting — a more hands-on, personalized automotive recruiting service. Our team has decades of experience and has successfully placed over 1,000 roles in the automotive industry. So if you’re ready to find your next rockstar employee, try CDG Recruiting today by visiting @ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ 🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes: Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Topics: 00:00: Intro 00:37: What creates excitement in auto retail? 01:57: What is an overview of Northwood University? 03:58: What is the value proposition of Northwood? 05:18: How can the car business attract talent? 07:18: Who are some notable alumni, and what is their impact on the industry? 08:10: What are the challenges and opportunities in auto retail? 08:50: How is training being prepared for the future of auto retail? 17:42: What is the future of automotive education? 23:02: How is the industry addressing criticism? Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com #AutomotiveIndustry #NorthwoodUniversity #FutureOfAutoSales

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• Luxury Dealership Whisperer: Building a Multi-Million Dollar Powerhouse with Culture | Lonny Soza, Vice President of Fertitta Auto Group

  Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Lonny Soza, Vice President of Fertitta Auto Group, to discuss how he built a multi-million dollar powerhouse, the biggest lesson he learned acquiring vehicles for CarMax and AutoNation, and how he's bringing Bentley-level customer service to his new Chevrolet store—plus much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Auto Hauler Exchange - Ship Smarter. Pay Less. No Middlemen. Tired of brokers driving up costs and slowing you down? Auto Hauler Exchange puts YOU in control. - Ship cars faster and cheaper with 5,000+ vetted carriers - Get cars delivered in just 5 days on average - Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and real-time tracking Move cars smarter. Move cars faster. To learn more visit https://www.autohaulerexchange.com/ 2. Podium - Don’t miss another lead. With Podium’s AI BDC, dealerships are seeing an 80% increase in after-hours appointments by handling leads 24/7. Instantly respond to inquiries, book test drives, and let your team focus on what matters: closing deals. Learn how Podium can help you sell more cars @ https://www.podium.com/car-dealership-guy/ 🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes: Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Topics: 01:26 – What is the path to success in the car business? 02:02 – What role does a car buyer play in a dealership? 06:08 – How do you cultivate a winning culture in a dealership? 09:13 – What are the best hiring and training strategies for success? 16:17 – How do dealerships generate demand and market effectively? 18:51 – What defines success for ultra-luxury car brands? 20:58 – How does inventory allocation impact dealerships? 22:20 – How do economic cycles affect luxury car sales? 24:30 – How does social media influence brand reputation for dealers? Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Lonny Soza Socials: LinkedIn ➤ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonny-soza-a36b2a8/ My Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com #AutomotiveLeadership #WorkEthicCulture #ProfitabilityStrategies

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