Today I'm joined by Marcello Sciarrino, Co-Owner at Island Auto Group. Marcello runs 20 stores across New York and New Jersey — the 37th largest business in New York State , ahead of the Yankees and the Giants — and he watched peers go from 3 stores to 12 overnight while he and his partners sat on their hands. He breaks down the math trap killing over-leveraged dealers , why brokers in the New York market are secretly extracting thousands per deal at the consumer's expense, and why his next big ...
May 26, 2026•47 min
Today's show features: - Manny Sedano, Dealer Principal at Sedano Chevy and Sedano Ford - Andrew Sweet, CEO of SelectFI - Chris Taylor, Owner of Certified Auto Brokers - Katie Lamphere, Founder of Veterans in Automotive This episode is brought to you by: OPENLANE – OPENLANE brings easy, intelligent digital wholesale to dealers across the country, and was once again voted the most preferred digital wholesale marketplace by dealers. If you’ve never used OPENLANE before, or it’s been a while since ...
May 25, 2026•58 min
Today's show features: - Spencer Nicholson, Fixed Operations Director at Stuckey Automotive - Xavier Rivera, Service Director at Greenacres Nissan & I-95 Nissan This episode is brought to you by: Zurich – Zurich helps dealers operate with clarity, confidence and certainty — driving stronger performance today while protecting long‑term value. From proven F&I processes and insights‑driven training to income‑generating programs, profit participation, and risk management solutions, Zuric...
May 22, 2026•58 min
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D'Arc are Art Dessein, Vice President of Sales at Impel, and Rebekah Scheussler, Business Development Director at Walters Auto Group to discuss why luxury dealers are quietly losing service customers to independent shops and how AI is rebuilding the personalized experience at scale across both sales and service . This conversation surfaces the silent retention leak inside fixed operations: a nine-minute average service hold time, an 80%...
May 21, 2026•34 min
Today's show features: - Christian Crain, VP of Operations at Crain Automotive - Doug Fusco, Managing Partner, Dealer Compliance at Informativ - Leo Portaluppi, Owner/CEO at P4 Automotive This episode is brought to you by: Zurich – Zurich helps dealers operate with clarity, confidence and certainty — driving stronger performance today while protecting long‑term value. From proven F&I processes and insights‑driven training to income‑generating programs, profit participation, and risk mana...
May 20, 2026•1 hr
Today I'm joined by Corina Straub Diehl, CEO and President at Diehl Automotive Group. After the sudden loss of her husband in 2007 , Corina ignored advice to sell the business and instead scaled it into a 24-store powerhouse generating over a billion dollars in revenue . This conversation breaks down her "rebel" leadership style , her aggressive 5-year ROI acquisition strategy, and why she views collision centers as the ultimate customer retention tool . This episode is brought to you by: 1. Ope...
May 19, 2026•58 min
Today's show features: - Chris Hudson, GM at Mark Miller Subaru - Lee Perine, VP of Partnerships at YASSI - Scott Simons, Dealer Principal at Simons Chevrolet GMC This episode is brought to you by: Zurich – Zurich helps dealers operate with clarity, confidence and certainty — driving stronger performance today while protecting long‑term value. From proven F&I processes and insights‑driven training to income‑generating programs, profit participation, and risk management solutions, Zurich ...
May 18, 2026•1 hr 4 min
Today's show features: - Scott Morrison, Fixed Operations Director at Mercedes Benz of Hampton - Dave Thomas, Director, Content Marketing at CDK Global - Richard Lupo, Fixed Operations Director at Apple Tree Honda and Acura This episode is brought to you by: Uber For Business – Not every service customer needs a loaner. Uber for Business gives your dealership a lower-cost courtesy ride option for customers whose vehicles are in the shop. Same convenience, less overhead. Book a demo and they’ll b...
May 18, 2026•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D’Arc are Nathan Johns, CFO of Smith Auto Group, and Justin Feist, President of Auto Dealer Payments, to discuss how credit card processing is the "last frontier" of dealership expense management, yet most CFOs struggle to decipher their 20-page monthly statements . This conversation pulls back the curtain on how processors use "price creep" to erode margins and why dealerships are structurally disadvantaged in the world of chargebacks....
May 16, 2026•32 min
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D’Arc are Dennis Gingrich, Sales and Finance Director at the Niello Company, and George Chamoun, CEO of ACV Auctions to discuss the shift from gut-based appraisals to VIN-specific data science and how Niello Company exploded their lead volume by democratizing trade-in values. George breaks down why traditional inventory management is dying and how automated service drive inspections are uncovering hidden $8,000 mistakes before they hit ...
May 14, 2026•42 min
Today's show features: - Harold Hurst, COO of Purdy Group USA - Adam Crowell, Chief Legal & Strategy Officer at KPA - Seth Dobbs, Co-Chair of National Automotive Practice at FOX ROTHSCHILD LLP This episode is brought to you by: Uber For Business – Not every service customer needs a loaner. Uber for Business gives your dealership a lower-cost courtesy ride option for customers whose vehicles are in the shop. Same convenience, less overhead. Book a demo and they’ll buy you lunch with an Uber E...
May 13, 2026•1 hr 2 min
Today, I'm joined by Sen. Bernie Moreno to discuss his legislative plan to "hermetically seal" the US market from Chinese vehicles to protect national security and dealer valuations. We dive into the $400 billion cost of the EV transition , the "Common Sense" way to handle FTC pricing compliance , and why the US needs to return to building sub-$25,000 affordable cars. This episode is brought to you by: Interested in supporting Sen. Moreno? Visit https://secure.winred.com/team-moreno/hddonate to ...
May 12, 2026•58 min
Today's show features: - Lee Walton, Dealer Principal & Vice President at Bob Allen Ford-Ottawa - Frank Zombo, VP of Sales at Auto Hauler Exchange - Marion Cain, Founder of ACE™ This episode is brought to you by: Uber For Business – Not every service customer needs a loaner. Uber for Business gives your dealership a lower-cost courtesy ride option for customers whose vehicles are in the shop. Same convenience, less overhead. Book a demo and they’ll buy you lunch with an Uber Eats gift card. ...
May 11, 2026•1 hr 10 min
Today's show features: - Tiago Castro, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales at Nissan Group of North America. - Chuck Turck, Fixed Operations Director at Classic Cadillac and Subaru - William Demaree, Group Director of Fixed Operations at Tom Wood Group This episode is brought to you by: Podium – the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podium helps dealers consolidate sales, service, messaging, and voice into one connected system that actually runs the work. If your AI isn’t...
May 08, 2026•1 hr 9 min
Today, I'm joined by Brian Abrams, VP of Data and AI at CDK Global, to discuss the critical shift from viewing AI as a "tool" to an operational strategy that prevents massive profit leakage. Brian explains why nearly 60% of dealer data is currently "dirty," how consumer AI agents are already calling stores to negotiate deals, and why a unified customer profile is now the only way to protect your margins. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - The AI platform trusted by one in three deale...
May 07, 2026•31 min
Today's show features: - Cole Short, Head of Content & Creative Strategy at Car Dealership Guy - Jay Law, Head of Partnerships at Car Dealership Guy - Yossi Levi, Chief Car Guy at Car Dealership Guy This episode is brought to you by: Podium – the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podium helps dealers consolidate sales, service, messaging, and voice into one connected system that actually runs the work. If your AI isn’t driving real outcomes, it’s time to take a closer look at ...
May 06, 2026•1 hr 7 min
Today, Sam D'Arc is joined by Sam Hatch, General Manager at JRR Motor Sales, to discuss how he moved his top salesperson into a dedicated buying center to source 70+ units off the street in a single month. We discuss the "Matrix" view of inventory data, the spicy reality of off-site super sales, and why transparency is a dealer's greatest competitive edge. Sam also reveals the specific AI tools he uses to automate the hunt for used cars. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - The AI plat...
May 05, 2026•39 min
Today's show features: - Kyle Coleman, President & CEO of Coleman Automotive Group - Scott Pharr, COO & Partner of P4 Automotive This episode is brought to you by: Podium – the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podium helps dealers consolidate sales, service, messaging, and voice into one connected system that actually runs the work. If your AI isn’t driving real outcomes, it’s time to take a closer look at https://www.podium.com/car-dealership-guy Check out Car Dealership...
May 04, 2026•1 hr
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D’Arc are Todd Hatch, Service Director at Palm Springs Nissan, and Malcolm Richardson, Senior Automotive Account Manager at Uber for Business to discuss how dealerships can eliminate the massive P&L leak caused by t raditional shuttle and loaner fleets. Todd shares how he slashed his monthly transportation spend by $6,000 and reduced his loaner fleet from 50 cars to 12 by pivoting to an on-demand model. They unpack how direct DMS in...
May 02, 2026•27 min
Today's show features: - Jason Graciano, Partner & General Manager at White Plains Honda - Michael Ross, Fixed Operations Director at Larry Green Chevrolet This episode is brought to you by: Zurich – Zurich delivers The Zurich Advantage to dealerships nationwide by combining comprehensive F&I products, consultative training, revenue‑generating programs, and wealth‑building profit participation strategies. Grounded in our mission to provide clarity, confidence, and certainty, we help deal...
May 01, 2026•1 hr 5 min
Today I'm joined by Jim Roche, CEO of Warrcloud. This conversation breaks down the massive $32 billion surge in warranty work , why customer pay is decelerating , and how dealers can use technology to fix "leaky" receivables and technician dissatisfaction. Jim reveals the tactical steps needed to modernize the service lane before the "death spiral" of rising prices drives your customers away. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podi...
Apr 30, 2026•28 min
Today's show features: - Jonathan Gray, COO of Cavender Auto Group - Rob Cavender, President and CEO of Cavender Auto Group - Vin Stazzone, Chairman at HIGHSTREET | Automotive - Mike Keese, Agency President at HIGHSTREET | Automotive - Phil Pecoraro, Operating Partner at Murdock CDJR This episode is brought to you by: Zurich – Zurich delivers The Zurich Advantage to dealerships nationwide by combining comprehensive F&I products, consultative training, revenue‑generating programs, and wealth‑...
Apr 29, 2026•1 hr 2 min
Today I'm joined by Erikka Tiffani, General Manager at Walser Hyundai Brooklyn Park. In an industry defined by grind and tradition, Erikka breaks down how Walzer has successfully implemented a 4-day work week and a non-commissioned sales model. We discuss the transition from traditional F&I "boxes" to a one-point-of-contact system that actually maintains high PVR . This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podium helps dealers consoli...
Apr 28, 2026•53 min
Today's show features: - Stephen M. Rowley, President of Cox Automotive - Aharon Horwitz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fullpath - David Boice, Co-Founder and CEO of Team Velocity - Ron Almeida, General Manager of Colonial Ford of Plymouth This episode is brought to you by: Zurich – Zurich delivers The Zurich Advantage to dealerships nationwide by combining comprehensive F&I products, consultative training, revenue‑generating programs, and wealth‑building profit participation strategies. Groun...
Apr 27, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D’Arc are Michael Naim, VP at Zurich North America, and Jeff Glanzmann, Dealer Principal at Glanzmann Subaru, to discuss why many dealers are " flying blind" by relying on quarterly PDFs for their most valuable profit centers. This conversation breaks down how to move from a reactive "set it and forget it" mentality to a data-driven operation that yields massive returns on premium. Michael and Jeff reveal why transparency in reinsurance...
Apr 25, 2026•37 min
Today's show features: - Don Hall, President & CEO, Virginia Automobile Dealers Association - Morgan Abeyie, Podium Service AI Product Manager at Podium - Daniel Negalha, Corporate Fixed Ops Director at McGovern Automotive Group This episode is brought to you by: Haig Partners – When it comes to selling your life’s work, trust the advisors who have built a reputation for maximizing value for family-owned dealerships. If you are considering a sale, divestiture or looking to grow, begin a conf...
Apr 24, 2026•1 hr 5 min
Today I'm joined by Matt Leone, CEO of DriveCentric. Matt breaks down why "tech bloat" is killing dealership margins and how shifting from task management to real-time engagement hubs can stop lead leakage across Sales, F&I, and Service . We also dive into the future of AI agents and why your next "employee" might actually be a machine-learning model. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Lotlinx – Meet LotGPT, your AI Inventory Strategist built exclusively for car dealers. It reveals compet...
Apr 23, 2026•48 min
Today's show features: - Jacob Shepherd, Dealer Principal at Chevrolet of Troy - Amber Good, Senior Product Marketing Manager at CDK Global - Robert F. O’Koniewski, EVP and General Counsel at Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association, Inc. This episode is brought to you by: Haig Partners – When it comes to selling your life’s work, trust the advisors who have built a reputation for maximizing value for family-owned dealerships. If you are considering a sale, divestiture or looking to gr...
Apr 22, 2026•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of the Industry Spotlight, joining host Sam D’Arc are Luke Parker, Finance Manager at BMW Greensboro and Erik Wielgos, Director of Dealer Success at Service Payment Plan to discuss how after a new GM changed the goalposts with a "50% penetration or pay cut" ultimatum , Luke Parker had to find a way to sell VSCs to customers the banks wouldn't touch. This conversation breaks down the tactical shift from traditional financing to 0% payment plans that drove a 20% surge in F&I pe...
Apr 21, 2026•38 min
Today's show features: - Lonny Soza, Lonny Soza, Vice President of Fertitta Automotive - Michael Byrd, Chief Revenue Officer of Informativ - Alex Lawrence, CEO & Co-Founder of EV Auto This episode is brought to you by: Haig Partners – When it comes to selling your life’s work, trust the advisors who have built a reputation for maximizing value for family-owned dealerships. If you are considering a sale, divestiture or looking to grow, begin a confidential conversation at https://haigpartners...
Apr 20, 2026•1 hr 11 min
