Dealership compliance takes center stage in this episode of Inside Automotive featuring Shannon Robertson, Executive Director of Automotive Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP) and host of Compliance That Works. Robertson outlines practical strategies dealers can implement to reduce regulatory risk, strengthen operations, and build a culture of accountability.

As digital retail and social media marketing expand, compliance oversight must evolve. Robertson explains why proactive monitoring, consistent training, and clearly documented policies are essential to preventing costly fines and enforcement actions. She also discusses how dealerships can significantly mitigate penalties by maintaining an active compliance program—even when individual employees make mistakes.

Key discussion points include:

• How active compliance programs can reduce fines by up to 96%
• The importance of ongoing employee training amid high industry turnover
• Managing digital advertising, disclosures, and social media risk
• Assigning a dedicated compliance officer and enforcing top-down accountability
• Integrating compliance into daily operations to protect profitability and trust

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Scout Motors’ approval to sell vehicles directly to consumers in Colorado has reignited debate around dealer franchise protections and OEM competition. On this episode of Inside Automotive, Brian Maas, President of the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), unpacks the legal and market implications of the decision and what it could mean for dealers nationwide.

Maas explains why CNCDA, with support from NADA, filed suit against Volkswagen and Scout Motors, arguing that direct-to-consumer sales violate California franchise law. He discusses how the Colorado ruling may prompt dealer associations in other states to reexamine their statutes and enforcement mechanisms. Beyond the courtroom, Maas shares insights on broader industry trends, including EV sales normalization, rising vehicle affordability challenges, and intensifying competition in the used-car market. The conversation also looks ahead to key legislative priorities in California, from gubernatorial turnover to compliance preparations for the upcoming CARS Act. Together, these developments highlight the growing intersection of policy, retail strategy, and consumer access in today’s automotive market.

Discussion topics include:

• Scout Motors’ direct-sales approval in Colorado
• Legal challenges surrounding OEM direct-to-consumer models
• Franchise law protections and state-by-state enforcement gaps
• EV sales trends in California versus the national market
• New-vehicle affordability and used-car inventory pressures
• Legislative priorities facing California dealers in 2026

Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive.

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Catalytic converter theft continues to disrupt dealerships and burden consumers nationwide, fueling renewed momentum behind the bipartisan federal PART Act. In this special edition of Inside Automotive, Greg York, President and CEO of Vann York Auto Group, and Charlie Dyjak, Legislative Affairs Manager at NADA, break down why the legislation matters and how it could reshape theft prevention and enforcement efforts across the industry.

York shares firsthand insights into how frequently dealerships are impacted, including the added financial and emotional strain when customer and employee vehicles are targeted. The discussion highlights why insurance alone fails to address the broader consequences of theft, from increased premiums to extended repair delays. Dyjak outlines how the PART Act aims to close enforcement gaps through traceability requirements, stronger penalties, and improved scrap metal recordkeeping. Together, they explain why federal standards are seen as essential, how bipartisan support has formed, and why dealer engagement with lawmakers remains critical. As affordability pressures rise and theft persists, the episode explores how coordinated legislative action could create meaningful deterrence while supporting dealers, consumers, and law enforcement alike.

Discussion topics include:

• The real-world impact of catalytic converter theft on dealerships
• Why customer and employee vehicle thefts are especially disruptive
• Limitations of current theft prevention and prosecution efforts
• How the PART Act would improve traceability and enforcement
• Bipartisan support and remaining industry concerns
• Why dealer advocacy plays a key role in advancing legislation

Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive.

For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.