VADA Live: Party Crashers II with Cox's Brian Finkelmeyer
High Octane
We regroup with Cox Automotive Senior Director of Enterprise Insights and Advisory Brian Finkelmeyer, a VADA regular who offers a fresh take on retail automotive five months after he joined us at our June Convention. Today's High Octane is actually the audio version of VADA's new VADA LIVE, our push into multimedia and video interviews with industry experts and Virginia dealer leaders. The video version of this interview and others will be available soon on VADA.com.
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Analyst Kevin Tynan on maker woes and dealer strengths @ VADA '24
High Octane
Bloomberg Intelligence's Kevin Tynan made his regular appearance at the VADA Annual Convention this month, offering his analysis of the challenges facing manufacturers and opportunities in front of franchised dealers, which continue to sit in the best position to drive automotive retail sales. This podcast is best viewed alongside Kevin's presentation. You can grab a PDF of those slides, as well as a much deeper written report, on the VADA website. There, you can also watch his presentation synced to his audio (perfect for a lunch-hour lesson).
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Technologies, Techs, Tariffs: The VADA '24 Expert Panel
High Octane
This month in South Carolina, we brought our convention attendees four of retail automotive's leading minds — and now we bring them to the masses. Here's the podcast of our expert panel featuring John Altman of Beyer Auto Group; Liza Borches, former VADA chair and fourth-generation leader of Carter Myers Automotive; and automotive analyst and auto tech investor Steve Greenfield. It's all moderated by Dealer Merchant Services' Amberly Allen. The post-COVID automotive industry faces challenges and opportunities, including embracing change, adapting to new consumer preferences, and investing in...
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How Amberly Allen tapped a new way to recoup lost revenue
High Octane
We talk to the omnipresent Amberly Allen, along with Virginia dealer Phil Englander. Amberly is the founder and managing director of Dealer Merchant Services, which the enterprising entrepreneur developed after coming up with a compliant way to help dealers save on credit card processing fees without turning off customers and damaging satisfaction scores. Phil Englander, of Richmond's Hart Auto Group, was looking for a solution to that very problem. So how did implementation go? Where did Hart find opportunity? What were the challenges to making this all work (and hint: it wasn’t with...
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The "Its" of Inventory with Randy Barone
High Octane
We chat with Randy Barone, a VP with VADA Partner ACV Auctions. With decades in retail auto and specific expertise in used vehicle inventory for franchised dealers, Randy talks the "its" of inventory: Getting it, Turning it, and Making a Profit. As someone on the NADA circuit who also makes regular 20 Group appearances, Randy shares dealers' top concerns, areas of confusion, and opportunities when it comes to used vehicle inventory. And what, exactly, is a "wholesale profit center?" Allow Randy to explain.
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Talking Capital (Money, not Richmond) with Open Road
High Octane
We talk with Tim Batchelor of Open Road Capital, a Northern Virginia firm that invests with partner Bain Capital Credit and works as an operational partner with dealers to help them grow, restructure, and build succession plans. Tim outlines the partnership model of Open Road, emphasizing their focus on collaborating with dealers and providing support throughout their careers. Open Road operates as an “evergreen” company, distinct from traditional private equity, and is a partner for the long haul. We delve into the considerations for dealers when contemplating such a partnership. Tim...
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Smokin' Virginia: Cox Economist Jonathan Smoke
High Octane
Inventory is up, but so are interest rates. Consumers were happy over the summer...but will that joy continue? On the heels of the release of Cox Automotive's Q3 Dealer Sentiment Index (more dealers view the market as weak) yet also strong quarterly sales over the summer, we sit down with Cox chief economist Jonathan Smoke for a look at what's in store for dealers in Virginia and nationwide. Links to stuff we talk about: and on Spotify
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Virginia DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, Ph.D.
High Octane
Fresh off his first 100 days in the role, we sit down with Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Gerald Lackey. Stacked with a Ph.D. in social psychology and a career background in business transformation and operational efficiency, Gerald discusses his vision for the state agency, the challenges it faces, and how he's working to “unlock” hidden talent around the newly energized 2,000-employee statewide organization. We also chat about about electrification, the DMV mainframe, a new DMV website, the history of DMVs, and even digital license plates. Finally, Gerald touches...
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Inventory vengeance, OTA opportunity, subscription demand: Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures
High Octane
We talk to auto tech titan Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures for his take on the state of the retail auto industry today, in a year, and in 10 years. Steve also dives into EV demand (or lack thereof?), the opportunity for service teams with over-the-air updates, the impact of emerging tech and A.I. on dealerships, and the surprising popularity of vehicle feature subscriptions. And are you looking to invest in auto-tech startups? Steve outlines a few to keep an eye on. Steve will speak to Virginia dealers at the VADA Annual Convention from June 19-22 at The Greenbrier. You can also...
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Previewing Virginia's Groundbreaking 2023 Franchise System Legislation
High Octane
Virginia is making industry headlines these days as the Commonwealth's auto dealers prepare to address the many "Auto Manufacturer-Controlled" sales models proposed by OEMs. This podcast offers a preview of that legislation and is a recording of a presentation given to dealers in December 2022 by VADA President and CEO Don Hall, along with VADA General Counsel Anne Gambardella. If you'd like to view this presentation,
info_outlineAudrey LaForest is a reporter covering automotive policy and regulation in Washington D.C. for Automotive News. She's dug in, starting in a new role in a new town just days before COVID shutdowns. So where should dealers have their eyes focused in D.C.? In just 10 minutes, Audrey walks us through the latest in EV tax credits, FTC proposals, and emissions rules. Also features an appearance by her cat, Fiona.
- See Audrey's latest work at Automotive News.
- Follow Audrey on Twitter.