Adam Chamberlain came back to Mercedes-Benz at the worst possible moment — and that's exactly why he took the job.

After 3.5 years on the retail side at Lithia (the largest dealer group in the US), Adam returned to lead Mercedes-Benz North America on July 1, 2025 — walking into tariffs, Chinese EV pressure, a crowded luxury landscape, and a brand that had slipped to #3 in the US behind BMW and Lexus.

In Episode 67 of Full Throttle, Jason Stein sits down with Adam for a remarkably candid conversation about the comeback plan: 30+ new vehicles by 2029, a path to 400,000 US sales, holding the line on pricing while competitors raise prices, and what he learned about OEM bosses from the other side of the desk.

If you sell cars, run a dealership, or care about where the luxury auto business is headed — this one is essential listening.

🎧 What's inside:
- The 12 listening-tour dinners that shaped his entire 9-month plan
- Why dealers told him Mercedes had "over-complicated" the business
- Lessons from Lithia CEO Brian DeBoer ($9B → $40B)
- The CLA BEV at $55,900 — and why the math finally works
- Tariffs, war rooms, and the case for export credits
- The Chinese EV threat and the level-playing-field problem
- The new S-Class, the electric AMG GT, and the Brad Pitt F1 halo

⏱️ CHAPTERS
0:00 — Intro - Back to Mercedes: The Listening Tour
3:51 — "We Over-Complicated the Business"
5:57 — The Lithia Years & Working for Brian DeBoer
11:31 — Why Return to the OEM Side?
13:09 — The Road to 400,000 US Sales by 2030
16:48 — Powertrain Flexibility: Letting Customers Decide
21:55 — Manufacturing, Tariffs & Holding the Line on Pricing
29:07 — The Chinese EV Threat
32:40 — The New S-Class & the Electric AMG GT
35:51 — F1, Brad Pitt & the Brand Halo

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the future of the automotive industry.

#FullThrottle #MercedesBenz #AdamChamberlain #JasonStein #AutoIndustry #LuxuryCars #ThePresidioGroup #CarDealers #EV #FormulaOne

The dealership business has changed — and it’s not going back.

In this episode of Full Throttle, Jason Stein sits down with George Karolis to break down what’s really happening inside the automotive retail industry.

From post-COVID profit normalization to the rise of fixed operations, AI-driven efficiency, and the evolving M&A landscape — this conversation goes beyond headlines and into what dealers actually need to understand right now.

One of the biggest takeaways?

👉 The industry is shifting from a people-based business supported by technology… to a technology business supported by people.

📊 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why dealership profits are still well above 2019 levels
- The real drivers behind today’s “new normal” profitability
- Why parts & service now dominate profit growth
- How AI and automation are reshaping dealership operations
- The surprising truth about Carvana vs traditional dealers
- Why consolidation is happening slower than expected (and what 2060 has to do with it)
- What’s fueling the surge in dealership buy/sell activity
- Why earnings matter more than multiples in valuations

🚗 The Big Picture
Despite margin compression, the industry has found a sustainable new baseline — driven by smarter operations, stronger fixed ops, and rapidly advancing technology.

But with more buyers than deals, rising competition, and shifting consumer dynamics, the next phase of automotive retail will reward those who adapt fastest.

🎙️ About the Podcast

The Presidio Group’s Podcast Full Throttle features in-depth conversations with the leaders shaping the future of automotive retail.

The automotive industry is evolving fast—and dealerships are being forced to adapt.

In this episode of The Presidio Group’s Podcast “Full Throttle”, host Jason Stein sits down with Scott Gunnell, President of JM&A Group, to break down how AI, data, and shifting consumer behavior are reshaping the dealership model.

From rising cost pressures to the growing role of automation, Scott shares how dealers can stay competitive—and why leveraging data is no longer optional.

They also dive into JM&A’s latest innovation, Gyde, a new platform designed to transform the F&I process using real-time data, AI-driven insights, and personalized customer experiences.

🚗 What You’ll Learn:
- How AI is changing the dealership experience
- Why dealership margins are under pressure
- The role of data in improving F&I performance
- How personalization (personas) is shaping customer interactions
- What dealers should focus on to improve efficiency and profitability
- Why the auto industry continues to show resilience

⏱ Key Topics Covered:
- Introduction of Gyde (Guiding Your Dealership Experience)
- AI-powered decision making in F&I
- Cost reduction and operational efficiency
- Dealer strategies for navigating margin compression
- Industry outlook and growth projections

🎙 About the Guest:
Scott Gunnell is the President of JM&A Group, a leading provider of F&I products, training, and dealership performance solutions. With decades of experience, Scott is at the forefront of helping dealers adapt to a rapidly changing automotive landscape.

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Stay up to date with the latest insights from automotive leaders, dealers, and industry experts.

#AutomotiveIndustry #CarDealership #AI #FandI #JMAGroup #FullThrottlePodcast #JasonStein #DealerStrategy #AutoIndustry #digitaltransformation

0:00 – Scott Gunnell joins Full Throttle to discuss the future of dealerships, AI, and F&I
0:23 – Dealer optimism, skepticism, and rising curiosity around AI
2:00 – What is Gyde? A new approach to F&I using data, automation, and integration
3:45 – How personalization is changing the dealership experience
5:45 – Reducing the learning curve from 500–600 deals to real-time guidance
7:58 – The strategy behind owning the transaction and continuous iteration
10:20 – FlexCare Drive + investing in the future of automotive talent
14:45 – Where dealers should focus to improve efficiency and profitability
17:40 – Why the auto industry remains strong despite economic pressures