Dealer Driven

The policy landscape for dealers continues to evolve, and many of the decisions shaping the future of auto and truck retail are being made in Washington. In this episode of Dealer Driven, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Paul Metrey, Executive Vice President of Public Policy at NADA, and David Bell, President of American Truck Dealers (ATD), to discuss the legislative and regula...

The market isn’t just changing, it’s shifting fast enough to challenge even the most experienced dealers. So how do you make confident decisions when the landscape keeps moving? In this episode of Dealer Driven, we sit down with Dale Pollak, founder of vAuto, creator of the Velocity Method, and now the champion of Investment Management for used vehicles. With decades of experience guiding dealers...

Warranty repairs are a key part of running a successful dealership, but they can be complex, and all the different coverages can be confusing. In this episode of Dealer Driven, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Leigh Yates, instructor at NADA Academy, to break down how warranties work and what dealers need to know. The conversation covers different types of warranties, common cla...

In this episode of Dealer Driven , Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), to break down what really happened in the auto market during Q1 2026 and what it means for the months ahead. Even with winter storms and global uncertainty, vehicle sales held steady. But underneath that, there are clear shifts happe...

Financial literacy is at the core of every vehicle purchase, but it is often overlooked in the buying process. From understanding loan terms to making confident financial decisions, customers depend on clear and simple information when stepping into a dealership. In this episode of Dealer Driven , hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Celia Winslow, President and CEO of the American...

Dealerships are generating more data than ever before, but ownership and control are not always the same thing. As digital retailing accelerates and technology vendors multiply, protecting dealer data has become a critical business priority. In this episode of Dealer Driven, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Joe Akers, a dealership management consultant with nearly three decades...

In this live edition of Dealer Driven from NADA Show 2026, Chairman Rob Cochran joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes for an in-depth conversation on where the industry stands and where it's headed. Cochran, President & CEO of #1 Cochran in Western Pennsylvania, shares how his early entry into the family business shaped his leadership, why the dealer model remains the most efficient path to...

After a year shaped by shifting incentives, volatile policy signals, and stubborn affordability challenges, the auto industry closed 2025 with more questions than answers. As dealers look ahead to 2026, understanding what truly moved the market, and what’s likely to stick, has never been more critical. In this episode, we’re joined by Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist at NADA, to unpack the biggest f...

2025 was a pivotal year for dealers in Washington. From securing permanent tax relief to stopping California's gas car ban, the NADA legislative team was in the thick of it all. In this episode of Dealer Driven, we’re joined by Ivette Rivera, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, and Michael Harrington, Vice President of Legislative Affairs at NADA. They walk us through the big policy wins...

The service lane isn’t just where repairs happen, it’s where loyalty is built. In this episode, Kim Saylor, Senior Director of Fixed Ops Marketing at CDK Global, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to talk about how dealerships can create a better service experience by using the right technology, smartly and strategically. They explore the full flow of service, from AI-powered scheduling a...

Artificial intelligence continues to generate attention across industries but for dealers, it’s already creating real results. In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes speak with Andy Seidenman, instructor at the NADA Academy and a recognized expert in dealer website management, CRM implementation, and modern retailing practices. Andy outlines how dealers can begin using AI tools tod...

Attracting and retaining skilled employees continues to be one of the biggest challenges for dealerships across the country. The latest NADA Dealership Workforce Study sheds light on what’s working, what’s changing, and where dealerships should focus to stay competitive in today’s labor market. In this episode of Dealer Driven , hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Matthew Vollmers,...

Inventory shifted in unexpected ways last quarter, challenging assumptions and reshaping dealer strategies. The auto market isn’t standing still and neither should your approach heading into Q4. In this episode, we’re joined by two of the most respected voices in the industry: Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist at NADA, and Larry Dixon, VP of Auction Data Solutions at NAAA. We break down the key takea...

The NADA Show has always been where dealers go to sharpen their edge—and in 2026, the education lineup is bigger and more focused than ever. In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Alison Wides and Ashley Kempson from the NADA Show team for an inside look at what’s ahead. They break down the different types of sessions, from Main Stage speakers and Super Sessions to Ex...

It’s tempting to wait until Q4 to start tackling your dealership’s financial cleanup—but by then, you’re already behind. In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Heather Westman and Sharlene Croteau, both instructors at NADA Academy, to break down what dealers should be doing now to close out the year with more confidence and less chaos. They explain the most common yea...

The Finance & Insurance (F&I) office plays a pivotal role in dealership profitability — but with increased legal scrutiny and evolving customer expectations, success now hinges on building trust through compliance. In this episode, Chuck Bryant, NADA Academy Instructor, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to share what actually works inside a high-performing F&I department. From weekly aud...

Security isn't just about protection, it’s about control. And for dealerships, that control over data is quickly becoming non-negotiable. In this episode, Michelle Phelps, Senior Director of Customer Success at Authenticom, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to explore the importance of dealership data control. They discuss Native Vault, a free resource available to NADA members, and how...

High prices, tightening incentives, and global uncertainty—Q2 was anything but predictable for the U.S. light-vehicle market. In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist at the National Automobile Dealers Association, for the first installment of NADA’s new Quarterly Economic Report series. Patrick breaks down the key forces that shaped Q2’s...

Today’s car buyers are more informed and more in control. The 2024 Car Buyer Journey Study from Cox Automotive shows how shifting expectations and smarter tools are shaping every step of the customer experience. In this episode, Jade Terreberry and Vanessa Ton join hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to unpack what this year’s research reveals about buyer behavior, dealer opportunities, and the...

Despite rapid advancements in e-commerce, a significant percentage of consumers still choose to purchase their vehicles in person. In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Joe St. John, Chief Customer Officer at Autofi, to explore why digital retailing has yet to fully replace the traditional showroom experience. Joe discusses the misconceptions surrounding online car b...

Trust is one of the biggest barriers in the service drive — and without it, your team will always be stuck in transactional selling. In this episode, Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Jennifer Suzuki, President of eDealer Solutions, to talk about why service sales training is still the missing piece in dealership growth. Jennifer breaks down how a customer-first mindset, value-based se...

Valuing a dealership isn’t a one-size-fits-all process — and most owners underestimate what really drives worth. In this episode, Erin Kerrigan, Founder and Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to talk through the real factors that impact dealership valuations and how to strengthen them. Erin shares why location, fixed operations, used car performance...

The future of dealership operations is data-driven, and mastering AI, Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), and advanced analytics is no longer optional. In this episode, Jim Dodd, NADA Consultant & Digital Analytics Technical Specialist, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to break down how dealers can use these tools to improve marketing, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge. Jim...

Welcome to Dealer Driven , the podcast for dealership professionals ready to level up their operations and boost profitability. In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Brian Crossen, a NADA Academy instructor with over 25 years of operations experience, to tackle a game-changing topic: Parts Inventory and Investment Quality—one of the most overlooked yet critical facto...

Welcome to Dealer Driven , the podcast tailored to dealership professionals navigating today’s fast-paced automotive industry. In this episode, hosts Cameron Wilson and Michael Hayes discuss the critical issue of "technician time vampires" with NADA Academy instructor Larry Hourcle. Drawing from his 27-year experience as a line technician, Larry breaks down how seemingly minor inefficiencies can s...