Driving Solutions with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News

Automotive-specific media buying strategies are reshaping how agencies drive performance and retain dealer clients. On this episode of Driving Solutions , fullthrottle.ai Co-Founder Amol Waishampayan explains why agencies are moving beyond general-purpose demand-side platforms in favor of solutions built specifically for automotive retail. Waishampayan highlights the limitations of broad DSPs and...

Jeff Adams, Director of Fixed Ops Product Planning at Reynolds & Reynolds, discusses how AI and automation are transforming fixed operations by eliminating inefficiencies, improving customer communication, and increasing service capacity. He explains how dealerships can leverage emerging tools to streamline workflows and meet rising consumer expectations. Adams outlines how AI is being applied...

Founder and CEO David Mondragon discusses how AutoTrust Dealer Alliance is helping independent dealers compete through collective scale, cost reduction, and operational flexibility. He explains how the platform enables dealerships to strengthen purchasing power across finance and insurance, lending, and general operations—without sacrificing autonomy or requiring structural changes. As consolidati...

Peter Janczewski, Senior Vice President of Sales at Draiver, joins Driving Solutions to discuss how automakers are rethinking vehicle logistics to improve visibility, speed, and operational efficiency. As OEM supply chains grow more complex, Janczewski explains why fragmented logistics models are no longer sustainable and how unified platforms are helping streamline vehicle movement from plant to...

Kerri Wise, Chief Marketing Officer at Lotlinx, and Lance Schafer, GM of Product and Technology, join Driving Solutions to examine why generic AI tools are falling short for dealerships—and what’s needed to unlock real value. Drawing on new survey data, they explain how widespread AI adoption has yet to translate into meaningful operational impact, largely due to disconnected systems and lack of d...

Leigh Silver, CEO of Dynatron Software, joins Driving Solutions to discuss how dealerships can unlock greater profitability in their service and parts departments through better data utilization. With decades of fixed operations experience, Silver explains why many dealers struggle to interpret the vast amount of data generated by DMS systems—and how translating that data into actionable insights...

Stephane Ferri, CEO of Car Wars, joins Driving Solutions to discuss new data revealing how missed phone calls are costing dealerships millions in lost service opportunities—and how artificial intelligence may help close the gap. Drawing from Car Wars’ 2026 white paper, Ferri explains why the phone remains one of the most important lead sources for dealerships, particularly for service scheduling a...

Dealership technology veteran Fred Fordin joins Driving Solutions to discuss launching Deelr.io alongside his son, Charles, and how AI-driven tools are reshaping inventory and recon management. Drawing on decades of retail and software experience—including leadership roles with Sonic Automotive, Hendrick Automotive Group, Dealertrack, and CDK Global—Fordin outlines a practical approach to improvin...

Operational speed and cross-department visibility are becoming defining advantages for dealerships, and Charles Fordin , co-founder of Deelr.io, explains how AI-driven workflow automation is helping stores reduce recon cycle times and unify performance management. On Driving Solutions , Fordin outlines how Deelr.io’s platforms connect fixed and variable operations under a single framework built ar...

Digital retailing has reached a tipping point as consumer expectations for online vehicle purchases continue to rise. On this episode of Driving Solutions , Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Jeri Reichel, AVP of Strategic Planning at Cox Automotive, to discuss why omnichannel retailing is no longer optional for today’s dealers. Reichel explains how buyer behavior has shifted toward flexible, online-fir...

PureCars executives Lauren Donalson, CEO, and Jason Wiley, President and Chief Revenue Officer, join Driving Solutions to discuss how clean data and AI-powered marketing can help dealerships drive service visits, strengthen customer engagement, and improve profitability in 2026. They explain why fixed operations remain one of the most underleveraged profit centers in automotive retail—and how smar...

Ryan Kerrigan, managing director at Kerrigan Advisors, joins Driving Solutions to discuss why dealership buy-sell activity remains resilient despite ongoing industry uncertainty. He breaks down key transaction trends from 2025, including major multi-rooftop deals and continued consolidation among large dealer groups, while offering insight into how ownership dynamics are shifting across the indust...

Cole Reiken, managing director of BlueDriver MAX, joins Driving Solutions to explain how professional-grade diagnostics are changing the way dealers appraise and acquire used vehicles. As higher-mileage vehicles become a larger part of dealer inventory, Reiken outlines why visual inspections and basic scan tools are no longer enough to protect margins and maintain customer trust. The conversation...

Royce Neubauer, founder of Auto Hauler Exchange, joins Driving Solutions to discuss how vehicle logistics is becoming a competitive differentiator for dealers and OEMs. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in automotive transport, Neubauer explains why traditional hauling processes often create delays, limit visibility, and tie up dealer capital—especially as customer expectations around...

Pete MacInnis, CEO of eLEND Solutions, joins Driving Solutions to discuss the company’s recent Finance Report and how its fintech platform is helping dealerships overcome inefficiencies in auto financing. He explains how outdated credit-tier models can create a $4.7 billion annual revenue gap for dealers and outlines how modern, dynamic lender practices are reshaping the financing landscape. MacIn...

Erin Kerrigan, founder and managing director of Kerrigan Advisors, joins Driving Solutions to analyze why dealership buy-sell activity is on pace for a record-setting year in 2025. Drawing on the firm’s latest data and blue sky insights, she explains how strong buyer cash reserves, easing interest rates, and surging demand for luxury and ultra-luxury brands are reshaping the transaction landscape....

Amberly Allen, founder and managing partner of Dealer Merchant Services (DMS), joins Driving Solutions to discuss DMS’s recent acquisition by Priority Payments and what it means for automotive dealers navigating a rapidly changing payments landscape. She explains why finding a more sophisticated payments partner became critical as surcharging rules, compliance demands, and consumer payment prefere...

In this episode of Driving Solutions , Amberly Allen, founder and managing partner of Dealer Merchant Services (DMS), breaks down how evolving payment rules are reshaping dealership operations and compliance strategies. As credit card surcharging gains traction nationwide, Allen explains why dealers must understand state-specific regulations, disclosure requirements, and tax implications to protec...

Efficiency and personalization are becoming essential differentiators for dealership profitability. On this episode of Driving Solutions , automotiveMastermind VP of Product Bill Egan explains how new predictive and AI-powered tools are reshaping how dealers prospect, communicate, and close deals more effectively. Egan outlines how automotiveMastermind is addressing the industry’s biggest outreach...

We explore how North Georgia Toyota uses digital screens to elevate customer trust, motivate teams, and replace manual reports with live, shared data that updates every 15 minutes. GM Greg Epps shows how real-time visibility builds culture while managers gain flexible tools for goals, coaching, and KPIs. • replacing whiteboards and spreadsheets with real-time screens • service status boards that s...

We cut through AI hype and zero in on performance, showing how process, follow-up, and clear communication drive higher close rates across multi-store operations. We share measurable ways to vet vendors, deploy AI as a useful assist, and get back to basics: conversations sell cars. • market pulse on Nissan momentum and Q4 outlook • multi-store BDC leadership and service BDC coordination • AI as tr...

BlueDriver Max is revolutionizing the vehicle appraisal process by providing dealerships with fast, accurate mechanical diagnostics that prevent costly mistakes and build customer trust.  • Scan first: The BlueDriver Max device plugs into a vehicle's OBD2 port and delivers comprehensive mechanical diagnostics in 2-3 minutes • Average dealership loses $4,000-$12,000 monthly from undetected mec...

automotiveMastermind and DriveCentric announce a strategic partnership that will integrate Mastermind's predictive data intelligence directly into DriveCentric's CRM platform, creating a seamless experience for dealership staff. • automotiveMastermind brings 15 years of machine learning algorithms that predict customer buying behavior • DriveCentric provides the engagement platform and o...

Mark Vickery of Cox Automotive reveals how AI is transforming car dealerships by personalizing customer interactions and improving satisfaction rates to all-time highs. We explore how dealerships are using predictive technology to understand shopping journeys and connect with customers more effectively while maintaining the human touch that builds lasting relationships. • AI helps dealers connect...

Digital Dealer is evolving with significant changes for their October 14-15 event at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, responding directly to dealer and exhibitor feedback. The show has been condensed from three days to two, creating de-conflicted content and expo hours so attendees never have to choose between education sessions and exploring solutions. • Show shortened to two days to respect dealers&ap...