Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News

The finance and insurance office remains the most trusted part of the dealership experience, but customer frustrations haven't disappeared. In this episode, Jason Swiech, F&I Product Marketing Manager at CDK Global, breaks down the findings from CDK Global's 2026 State of F&I at the Dealership study and explains what dealers can do to improve the customer experience without overh...

As affordability pressures continue to weigh on the automotive market, Stellantis dealers are navigating tighter margins, limited inventory, and shifting product strategies. In this episode, Dave Kelleher, President of David Auto Group, shares his perspective on Stellantis' recent challenges, why he believes the automaker lost its way under former CEO Carlos Tavares, and why he's optimis...

As dealerships compete for sales in a more normalized inventory environment, RevDojo Founder and CEO Kyle Disher says many stores are missing opportunities after the first customer contact. In this episode, Disher explains why dealers may not need more leads, advertising, or inventory as much as stronger follow-up, appointment-setting, and management involvement. Drawing from RevDojo hiring events...

As dealership profits tighten, Dave Mondragon, Founder and CEO of AutoTrust Dealer Alliance, says many retailers are facing a leverage problem rather than an operational one. In this episode, Mondragon explains how collective scale can help independent and smaller dealer groups compete more effectively without giving up ownership. Mondragon discusses how larger public groups use scale to lower cos...

As dealers navigate affordability challenges, evolving compliance expectations, and increased global competition, fixed operations have become more important than ever. In this episode, Nathan Shaver, Managing Partner at Shaver Automotive Group, shares how his dealership is adapting to changing market conditions while remaining optimistic about the future of Stellantis brands. Shaver discusses why...

AI is reshaping how consumers discover dealerships and make vehicle-buying decisions online. In this episode, Robert DeGeorge, Director of Product Consulting for Dealer.com and VinSolutions Retail Solutions & Sales, explains why dealers must rethink website structure, data accuracy, and digital visibility as shoppers increasingly turn to AI tools for direct answers. DeGeorge discusses how plat...

As concerns over vehicle affordability grow, a new debate is emerging around whether Chinese automakers should be allowed greater access to the U.S. market. In this episode, Mike Darrow, Chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) and President of the Russ Darrow Automotive Group, discusses why many dealers and automakers oppose the expansion of Chinese vehicle sa...

Dealership mergers and acquisitions continue to accelerate despite economic uncertainty. In this episode, Ryan Kerrigan, Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors, examines the forces driving a surge in dealership buy-sell activity and what the latest trends reveal about the future of automotive retail. Kerrigan discusses why franchise sales increased 21% year-over-year in Q1 2026, how public dealer...

Dealer confidence is improving, but uncertainty continues to shape the outlook for the automotive retail industry. In this episode, Erin Keating, Executive Analyst at Cox Automotive, breaks down the findings from the Q2 2026 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index and explains why dealers are feeling more optimistic about current conditions while growing increasingly cautious about the months ahead....

As AI adoption accelerates and pricing transparency remains under regulatory scrutiny, dealerships face growing pressure to modernize their operations. In this episode, Michael Affronti, Chief Product & Business Officer at DriveCentric, discusses how dealers can navigate evolving compliance expectations while leveraging AI to create more consistent customer experiences. Affronti explains why o...

Mike Gilson, CEO of Conversica, joins us to discuss how AI is helping dealerships uncover hidden revenue opportunities buried within their existing data systems. As dealerships generate massive amounts of information through sales, service, inventory, and customer interactions, much of that data remains trapped in disconnected legacy platforms. Gilson explains how modern AI can act as an intellige...

As economic uncertainty pushes consumers to keep their vehicles longer, dealerships are searching for more efficient ways to drive sales and retention. In this episode, Sharon Kitzman, CEO of Affinitiv, explains why the service lane remains one of the most overlooked opportunities in automotive retail and how dealers can turn service customers into vehicle buyers through data-driven engagement. Ki...

This episode explores the growing impact of FTC advertising compliance rules on automotive retail with David Spisak, CEO of Disruptive Growth Solutions. Spisak breaks down why the FTC’s expanded enforcement efforts are creating significant operational and financial challenges for dealerships, while also acknowledging the industry’s role in prompting increased regulatory scrutiny. From social media...

Devin Daly, co-founder and CEO of Impel, joins Inside Automotive to discuss the evolving landscape of FTC compliance, pricing transparency, and the growing role of AI in automotive retail. As regulators continue scrutinizing dealership pricing practices, Daly explains why many retailers misunderstood the implications of the FTC's 2025 rule vacatur and how recent warning letters signal that co...

John Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Force Marketing, joins Inside Automotive to discuss the growing compliance challenges facing dealerships and the industry's response to increased FTC scrutiny. As dealers navigate evolving expectations around pricing transparency, advertising disclosures, and digital marketing practices, compliance has become a critical business priority. Fitzpatrick sha...

Jane Vaden Thacher, President of Vaden Automotive, and Jack Thacher, the group's Director of F&I, join Inside Automotive to discuss dealership growth, digital retailing, affordability challenges, workforce retention, and the future of family-owned automotive retail. As Vaden Automotive continues expanding across Georgia and South Carolina, Jane and Jack share how the organization approach...

Ed Garsten, Senior Contributor at Forbes, joins Inside Automotive to discuss the future of EV adoption, affordability challenges, and the evolving competitive landscape facing the automotive industry. While rising fuel prices have renewed interest in electric vehicles, Garsten explains why many consumers continue to favor hybrids over fully electric models. He explores the lifestyle changes associ...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how consumers research and shop for vehicles, and dealerships must adapt to a new era of search. On this episode of Inside Automotive, automotive marketing experts April Simmons, Kevin Frye, Brooke Furniss, and Cody Tomczyk explain how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is changing digital marketing and what dealers need to do to remain visible in AI-powered...

Aaron Baldwin, CEO of automotiveMastermind, joins Inside Automotive to discuss how tightening Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations are reshaping automotive advertising, pricing transparency, and dealer compliance strategies. As regulators place greater scrutiny on vehicle pricing and advertising practices, dealers, OEMs, and technology providers are being forced to adapt. Baldwin explains ho...

Micah Tindor of Kelley Blue Book joins Inside Automotive to discuss how affordability pressures, inventory shortages, and changing consumer behavior are reshaping the used-car market. As vehicle prices remain near record highs and interest rates stay elevated, dealers face mounting challenges acquiring inventory and serving increasingly cautious consumers. Tindor explains why affordability concern...

Dealers are facing an unprecedented mix of challenges, from tariffs and affordability concerns to FTC scrutiny, inventory shortages, AI adoption, and the potential entry of Chinese automakers into the U.S. market. In this episode of Inside Automotive , Peter Cooper, President and CEO of Lexus of Lehigh Valley, shares how his dealership is navigating today’s uncertainty while staying focused on lon...

Profitability in automotive retail is increasingly tied to flexibility, transparency, and operational discipline, and Jeff Rosen shares how his group is adapting to meet the moment. On this episode of Inside Automotive , Jeff Rosen, President and CEO of Rosen Automotive Group and Chairman of Hyundai’s Dealer Advisory Board, discusses how a diversified franchise portfolio is helping navigate afford...

The future of automotive retail depends on how the next generation of dealership leaders responds to rapid change, and this episode explores how Missouri dealers are preparing for it. On this episode of Inside Automotive , MADA President and CEO Doug Smith joins Chairman Nick Anderson and NextGen Committee members Kyle Weymuth, Alex Thompson, and Megan Sinclair Rosso to discuss leadership developm...

On this episode of Inside Automotive, Tom Maoli, CEO of Celebrity Motor Car, discusses how global instability, evolving policy, and supply chain pressures are shaping dealer strategy and consumer behavior across the automotive industry. Maoli shares his perspective on how geopolitical uncertainty, rising vehicle costs, and affordability concerns are affecting consumer confidence and influencing pu...

On this episode of Inside Automotive, Laura Perrotta, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR), examines the growing pressures facing franchised dealers—from illegal broker activity and FTC pricing scrutiny to emerging threats to the franchise model itself. Perrotta explains how unlicensed brokers continue operating in New Jersey despite long-standing prohibitions, cr...