The Walk Around

We caught up with Sam D’Arc, COO at Zeigler Automotive Group, a privately-owned dealer group with 78 franchises across 35 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Sam hosts two automotive podcasts – Driving Vision at Zeigler and Industry Spotlight from the Car Dealership Guy. On The Walk Around, Sam draws insight from his years of experience within the automotive industry and shares...

Jonathan Smoke may have a positive outlook for the automotive industry in 2025, but what rate does he find toughest to predict? The Chief Economist at Cox Automotive stopped by our booth at NADA to share his thoughts and data behind buyer satisfaction, digital retail tools and why an adoption gap persists with dealers. He also discusses what the electric vehicle market share could look like this y...

Eric Flow, COO at Flow Automotive Companies, has been in the industry since he was born, helping out his father and grandfather in their stores when he could. Working for an auto group that has more than 50 locations throughout North Carolina and Virgina is no easy feat, yet Eric shares how Flow Automotive works to stay progressive and develop customer loyalty at a deeper level. He also discusses...

We’re bringing back another two-guest episode, and this is one you won’t want to miss, especially if you are an aspiring dealer! Perry Watson IV and Damon Lester, both of The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), discuss how the association is changing the lives of minorities within the automotive industry, what individuals who want to own a dealership can be doing, and more...

When you invest in your talent, your team becomes stronger, together. In this episode of The Walk Around podcast, we’re joined by Liza Borches, President and CEO of Carter Myers Automotive and Danelle Delgado, co-founder of training services, TeamEngage. Borches and Delgado’s automotive talent development partnership was born from a shared passion for growing and retaining female leadership in the...

In just under an hour, gain the insights you need to better market your dealership on social media, improve the physical experience for customers coming to your store and more. Mary Rice, Dealer Principal at Toyota of Greensboro, a leading dealership in North Carolina, joins our podcast and offers tons of actionable tips for dealers to improve their business. Plus, she shares her recommendations f...

As automotive retail evolves, staying ahead of rising trends and the latest technology is important. On this episode of The Walk Around podcast, Cliff Banks of The Banks Report shares his thoughts on the future of this space in the modern dealership. As an “industry insider,” Cliff’s unique background in journalism has helped him grow and become a pioneer in automotive news. In this episode you’ll...

In this episode we spoke with a well-known automotive entrepreneur creating disruptions in the technological and training sectors of the dealership – Marco Schnabl. Discover the need he saw in automotive when he worked to create automotiveMastermind and RockED, and what led him to join the industry in the United States after living and working in Germany’s motor world. In this episode you’ll hear:...

Our third season of The Walk Around podcast starts now! This episode is full of the latest data on market trends and information on the environment of buying and selling dealerships. Our guest, George Karolis, talks F&I in earnings profiles, evaluating dealership costs and key focus areas for dealership valuations. This episode is great for dealers looking into the M&A market, as well as a...

As the third year of The Walk Around podcast comes to an end, listen in for a big (and bittersweet) announcement! We dive into a few of the funniest and most insightful moments with our guests and hosts Marc Spoto and Elliot Schor over the past year. From accomplished dealers to auto influencers, training experts and tech enthusiasts, it’s been a fantastic year full of learning and predictions to...

Joining us on The Walk Around podcast is an expert at one of the top sell-side advising firms in the nation. With her years of experience in the automotive industry and the success of her company, Kerrigan Advisors, Erin Kerrigan has a unique viewpoint on the market concerning retail and dealer sentiment. She discusses one of the looming questions on the minds of dealers as this year ends - just w...

Technology enables dealers to reach their customers in a targeted and personalized way. Social media, websites and email are all important ways to market your business, but if you really want to attract and engage future customers, local listing solutions like Google and Apple Maps can significantly optimize your digital presence. Learn from an expert – and former Googler – how you can adapt your...

We’re honored to be joined by a seasoned and well-respected automotive legend in this episode of The Walk Around podcast. Discover valuable advice for all areas of the dealership from Mike Maroone, who has dedicated over 40 years to the automotive industry. From leading large teams to investing in technology, this is surely a not-to-miss discussion for any person in the automotive world. In this e...

The next generation of buyers has a lot to teach us, and we got the chance to speak with them, particularly about their thoughts on the automotive industry. In this episode we discuss how Gen Z views the car buying experience, opportunities for dealers to better reach this growing segment of their audience and more thoughts on the industry from three college students (and JM Family interns!). In t...

Get ready for a thrilling ride in this episode of The Walk Around podcast. We explore the amateur racing circuit and discuss how the organization Out Motorsports is supporting an inclusive community for LGBTQ car and motorsport enthusiasts. Plus, don’t miss some helpful tips for dealers to better create authenticity in business from an experienced automotive editor and reviewer. In this episode yo...

Dealers can gain valuable insight in this episode on how to meet moms and families where they are in the car buying process by understanding their specific needs, making the process less intimidating and more transparent and by providing helpful online content through social media that empowers customers and dealership staff. In this episode you’ll hear: What moms think about (and get frustrated b...

As we navigate the middle of 2023, we continue to adjust to the evolving industry and changing market. In this podcast episode, we dive into what inventory levels are prime for dealerships, continue discussions of vehicle affordability for your consumers, and discuss what the future role of dealers will be as technology increases and consumer purchasing habits change. In this episode you’ll also h...

A common theme echoing this year in the automotive industry is constant change. Predicting where we will be in terms of affordability, inventory and sales? Tough. But thankfully, the economists specializing in this industry keep us informed with an understanding of what the data means and where the industry could land in the future. In this podcast episode, we talk to a top automotive economist ab...

Training programs are a value-add for individuals at dealerships looking to advance their careers and teams aiming to reach higher levels of success, but courses are often seen as a luxury item for many dealers. In this podcast episode we explore how thoughts on training are changing within the automotive industry, the correlation between employee retention and customer satisfaction, appealing to...

Inflation and low inventory have caused new and used vehicle prices to soar over the past year. On this episode of The Walk Around podcast we discuss customer education, how used EVs will impact dealerships and how used car dealers are managing when major manufacturers like Tesla cut prices on their new vehicles. This conversation will benefit any dealer looking for insight into customer relations...

Simply put, the automotive industry can be stressful. Trying to balance that stress and other triggers amidst pressure to sell vehicles, manage apprehensive customers and navigate a tough economic climate is challenging. In this episode, we discuss methods for understanding the root of our emotions and triggers, managing stress, giving feedback to staff and more. Discover the tactics needed to ele...

A great marketing strategy should be top of mind for dealers. Not only can this help your dealership attract and retain customers, but a goal-oriented process can also demonstrate brand consistency and help your dealership navigate the ever-changing market. We explore DMS and CRM systems, artificial intelligence in marketing, how upward trends of leasing impact your dealership and more in this pod...

The time to prepare for electric vehicles in your dealership is now. With plenty of data to confirm, Elizabeth Krear outlines just why your dealership needs to prioritize a plan for EVs as they transition from ICE at now a faster pace. Listen in for a deep dive into ways dealers can increase EV adoption and how the industry can evolve. Plus, get an inside look at what it is like being a Chief Engi...

How can dealers better leverage data? With more data available today than ever before, it can be overwhelming understanding just how to acquire and use that information to your customers’ and dealership’s benefit and remain compliant. This episode answers these questions along with other key advice for dealers and automotive professionals, like improving the customer experience, developing a growt...

Auto transport may not be the most buzzworthy topic in industry talk, but in this episode, we hear more on why dealers should be considering this possibly overlooked, but quite integral part of dealerships’ daily operations. In an industry that is working to recover from pandemic inventory woes and high inflation, finding ways to optimize operational and sales processes is key. Mike Trudeau, Execu...