Most dealerships think they have a sales or marketing problem, but the real breakdown happens after the customer leaves the lot. 💭

In this special panel episode of Automotive Innovators Unplugged, hosts Sean Kelley (#thecarbizcoach) and JP Burkemper assemble a powerhouse lineup of industry experts to dive deep into the multi-thousand-dollar gap in automotive retail: customer retention. Joining the panel are Matt Raymond (COO of Bowtie Auto Solutions), Anthony Alagona (Founder/CEO of Appointments That Show), and veteran industry strategist Vic Turselli.

Together, the panel breaks down the sobering reality that only 1 in 4 customers schedule their first service appointment at the time of delivery—costing dealerships roughly $12,000 in lifetime value per lost customer. They reveal the operational friction points causing this decline, how to align your sales and service teams under a collaborative "group reward" framework, why your CRM might not be serving your retention goals, and how leveraging next-gen AI tools can automatically enhance customer engagement and keep buyers coming back for life.

📺 Watch & Listen to the Full Episode Here:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutoInnovatorsPodcast
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/automotive-innovators-unplugged/id1882360166
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7DPd6wnQhgFFJ9BoKWmTJD?si=f7b38885af894784

#AutomotiveIndustry #Automotive #CarBiz #AutomotiveRetail #DealershipOperations #DealerPrincipal #AutoSales #DealershipGrowth #AutoTech #DigitalRetailing #AutomotiveTech #AutoFintech #SalesLeadership #AutomotiveCoaching #automotiveinnovation #dealershipinnovation #automotivepodcast #automotivetalkshow #automotivehosts #cartech

The Shift to Servant Leadership - How do you maintain a high-performing dealership culture across decades of continuous industry disruption? 💭

In Episode 8 of Automotive Innovators Unplugged, hosts Sean Kelley (#thecarbizcoach) and JP Burkemper sit down with Eric Hedges, General Manager of Audi Huntsville. With nearly 35 years of experience in the car business, Eric shares his incredible path from starting out as a young salesman to successfully running a luxury high-line store.

Eric drops massive truth bombs on the absolute breakdown of today's digital retailing space, explaining why a jaw-dropping 70% of car buyers expect to work their deals online—and how the best sales teams are using AI to target and filter those leads.

He shares his unfiltered thoughts on the dramatic pullback from EVs, his fascinating prediction about hydrogen fuel cell technology, and his strict rule on why you can never judge a buyer by their cover. Finally, Eric dives into why the top 5% of producers are always problem solvers who lead with a servant mindset.

Watch & Listen to the Full Episode Here:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutoInnovatorsPodcast
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/automotive-innovators-unplugged/id1882360166
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7DPd6wnQhgFFJ9BoKWmTJD?si=f7b38885af894784
  

#AutomotiveIndustry #Automotive #CarBiz #AutomotiveRetail #DealershipOperations #DealerPrincipal #AutoSales #DealershipGrowth #AutoTech #DigitalRetailing #AutomotiveTech #AutoFintech #SalesLeadership #AutomotiveCoaching #automotiveinnovation #dealershipinnovation #automotivepodcast #automotivetalkshow #automotivehosts #cartech

From Employee to Indispensable Operator — What separates someone who just works at a dealership from a leader who becomes completely indispensable to the business? 💭

In Episode 7 of Automotive Innovators Unplugged, hosts Sean Kelley (#thecarbizcoach) and JP Burkemper sit down with Hermann Cuadros, Vice President of Fair Oaks Motors. Cuadros shares his remarkable journey from a 17-year-old Marine squad leader to the top of the sales board, graduating from the NADA Academy, and ultimately rising to Vice President.

Hermann drops massive wisdom on dealership culture, the exact mindset shifts required to think like a partner instead of an employee, and his secret weapon for turning around underperforming teams. He also dives into today's sales and finance realities, explaining why front-end gross margins require strategic value packages, how to successfully integrate AI with human connection, and why outworking the competition will always be the baseline for long-term opportunity.

Tune in on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube! Follow us for more content.

#AutomotiveSales #CarBusiness #AutoIndustry #CarSales #DealershipTech #DigitalRetailing #AutoTech #SalesLeadership #BusinessCoaching #DealershipCulture