The Car Dealership Guy Podcast, hosted by Yossi Levi, delivers authentic conversations with industry leaders, top dealers, and innovators, revealing the insight...
Humbled, Sober, and Scaling to $1B a Year: The Faith-Driven Rise of a 5th-Gen Auto Dealer | Andrew Dahl, President at Dahl Automotive
Today, I’m sitting down with Andrew Dahl, President at Dahl Automotive, a 12 franchise dealer group based in Wisconsin and Minnesota to discuss: How He's Scaling to $1B a Year, Why 'entitlement' almost ruined a 5th-generation family legacy, How he found found a higher power to change his life and much more.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. StoneEagle - Technicians hate writing repair stories, but incomplete documentation risks unpaid warranty claims. That’s why smart dealers are using Pencilwrench to save time, eliminate frustration, and ensure they get fully compensated for every repair. See how it works @ https://bit.ly/3DscNIw and get free setup and training when you sign up for one year. Mention code CDGWRENCH during your demo — and tell them Car Dealership Guy sent you!
2. Cox Automotive - Dealers keep hearing that improving customer experience is the best way to boost profits — but what do consumers actually want? Retail360 — Cox Automotive’s comprehensive suite of solutions — powers true omnichannel experiences for consumers and dealers. With Retail360, powerful consumer insights enable predictive artificial intelligence and automation, all tailored for your dealership by industry-veteran performance managers. To learn how consumers prefer to shop, buy, and own vehicles, visit @ https://www.coxautoinc.com/ and download “The Evolving Consumer and How to Meet Their Needs,” the new eBook from Cox Automotive.
3. CDG Recruiting - The Go-To Talent Partner for Dealers. Hire pre-vetted GMs, sales, F&I, fixed ops, C-suite, and back-office talent—ready to perform. Faster hires, better results. Book a call → http://www.CDGRecruiting.com
🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:
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Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com
Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu
Topics:
01:18 What were Andrew's early career struggles?
04:05 How did Andrew find purpose and faith?
05:22 What impact has Andrew had on business?
06:50 What challenges exist in the car business?
11:26 How is Andrew building his legacy?
16:16 What are Andrew's growth strategies?
25:24 How does Andrew balance profit and growth?
30:26 How does Andrew engage the community?
40:42 What are Andrew's industry concerns?
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
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Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
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48:09
How Tesla, Tariffs & Market Shifts Are Reshaping Car Sales | David Thomas, Director of Content Marketing at CDK Global
Today, I’m sitting down with David Thomas, Director of Content Marketing at CDK Global to discuss: Tesla polarizing customers and the brands they are flocking to, The potential impact of auto tariffs and how manufacturers are pivoting, the coming drought of used rental inventory—plus much more.
This episode is brought to you by:
DriveHRIS - DriveHRIS streamlines hiring, onboarding, timesheets, PTO tracking, and payroll—all in one seamless platform. Let DriveHRIS handle HR and Safety so you can focus on what really matters—boosting your CSI scores, improving customer experience, and selling more vehicles. Visit @ https://drive2025.com/ to grab your FREE workbook on 'Retention Strategies for Dealerships in 2025.
PayJunction - Are you leaving money on the table with your current payment processor? This is why PayJunction provides a modern, integrated payment solution that lowers costs, improves financial visibility, and streamlines transactions for auto dealers without requiring a software change. Ready to cut costs and save time? Download this free guide to learn how PayJunction can help your dealership optimize payments and cut costs here @ https://carguymedia.com/payjunction
🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:
Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites
Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites
Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites
Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com
Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu
Topics:
00:00: Intro
00:08 What is the current state of the auto industry?
01:10 What is David Thomas’ background and experience?
02:46 How does economic uncertainty affect consumer behavior?
06:26 How do inventory levels impact customer experience?
13:45 What are the latest trends in the EV market?
16:48 How does Tesla influence market dynamics and politics?
23:28 How can salesperson performance in dealerships improve?
30:34 What are the predictions for the auto industry’s future?
33:30 What are the final thoughts and conclusions?
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
My Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/
TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership
LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy
Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
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36:01
Inside Nissan’s Comeback Gameplan: Profitability, Product Mix, And The Long Road Ahead | Vinay Shahani, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer Nissan/Infiniti USA
Today, I’m sitting down with Vinay Shahani, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer at Nissan/Infiniti USA. We break down Nissan’s comeback strategy, how its product mix is evolving, whether or not the brand is "over-dealered," and what it all means for the future of the franchise—plus much more.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. Corpay - Corpay is transforming how dealerships handle payments. We help you save time, score big rebates, and ditch manual headaches—all while syncing directly with your DMS. Trusted by dealerships coast to coast, Corpay is here to rev up your efficiency and profitability. Don’t settle for “good enough” in your AP. Visit @ https://www.corpay.com and see what Corpay can do for your bottom line.
2. CDK Global - CDK Global is the go-to tech partner for car dealers and automakers. Beyond top-tier software, their Research and Insights team delivers powerful reports year-round—like the Friction Points study, revealing what slows down the buying process and why F&I still matters. Want the full report? Learn more @ CDK.com/insights
3. Qmerit - Selling EVs can have a lot of friction points. But home charging installation shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why dealers and automakers trust Qmerit — the go-to expert for home charging installations. Join Qmerit’s Dealership Partner Program and start earning referral incentives on every installation. Visit qmerit.com/carguy to learn more.
🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:
Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites
Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites
Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites
Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com
Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu
Topics:
00:07 How do you manage news cycles and company culture?
02:20 How did Vinay transition from engineer to CMO?
05:31 Why did Vinay return to Nissan, and what challenges did he face?
09:56 How do dealer relationships impact Nissan’s brand strategy?
21:14 What’s next for Nissan’s product mix and market share?
26:54 How does Nissan maintain vehicle dependability and quality?
28:38 What challenges does Nissan face with its dealer network?
33:29 How does Nissan leverage its investments in Infiniti?
41:08 What are Nissan’s biggest challenges and future plans?
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
My Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
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Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
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52:10
Buy-Sell Boom or Bust? The Truth About Dealership Mergers in 2025 | Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I welcome back Alan Haig, CEO of Haig Partners to discuss: Why dealers are lining up to buy Stellantis stores, Why "Japan Inc." won't let Nissan fail, the vibe shift on dealership profitability in 2025, and how 10 million cars disappeared from American roads.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. Uber for Business - With Central, you can request a ride on behalf of your customers even if they don’t have the Uber app. If you’re ready to reduce the costs associated with maintaining shuttles and limit the liability of loaner vehicles, it's time to partner with Uber. Visit @ t.uber.com/CDGauto today
2. Podium - @Podiumsoftware Don’t miss another lead. With Podium’s AI BDC, dealerships are seeing an 80% increase in after-hours appointments by handling leads 24/7. Instantly respond to inquiries, book test drives, and let your team focus on what matters: closing deals. Learn how Podium can help you sell more cars @ https://www.podium.com/car-dealership
3. CDG Recruiting – The Go-To Talent Partner for Dealers. Hire pre-vetted GMs, sales, F&I, fixed ops, C-suite, and back-office talent—ready to perform. Faster hires, better results.
Book a call → CDGRecruiting.com
🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:
Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites
Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites
Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites
Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com
Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu
Topics:
00:00: Intro
01:56 What is the role of Haig Partners in the automotive M&A landscape?
03:07 What insights and market trends are highlighted in the quarterly report?
06:17 How do brand performance and acquisition strategies intersect?
11:07 How does legislation impact dealership values?
14:12 What are the market cycles and opportunities for Stellantis and Nissan?
29:27 How do tariffs impact the auto industry?
30:14 What are the market predictions and economic outlook?
37:10 What role does pent-up demand play in market dynamics?
39:44 What were the details of Herb Chambers' sale to Asbury?
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
My Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/
TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership
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Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
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57:45
State of the Car Market: Luxury Squeeze, Leasing Lifeline & OEM Tech Failures | Andrew Wright, Managing Partner @ VINArt Dealerships
Welcome to the Car Dealership Guy Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Wright, Managing Partner at Vinart Dealerships.
This episode is brought to you by:
1. Phone Ninjas - Is your store missing opportunities before they even hit the lot? Phone Ninjas helps dealers maximize every opportunity with custom scripts and critical coaching on actual customer calls. Get your team certified today and watch your appointment set and show rates double! Visit @ https://www.phoneninjas.com/ to start winning today!
2. Impel - Impel AI helps you drive loyalty with proactive, personalized service outreach that scales seamlessly. From service milestones to recall alerts and tailored incentives, Impel makes service outreach feel more like a concierge experience than traditional marketing. With AI-powered service scheduling via text and email, your team can stop managing calendars and start focusing on delivering exceptional customer experiences. Future-proof your service drive today. Learn more @ https://carguymedia.com/41G1unN
3. CDG Recruiting – The Go-To Talent Partner for Dealers. Hire pre-vetted GMs, sales, F&I, fixed ops, C-suite, and back-office talent—ready to perform. Faster hires, better results. Book a call → CDGRecruiting.com
🚨 Don’t forget to subscribe to Car Dealership Guy Bites, for quick, daily insights into automotive retail — delivered in less than 5 minutes:
Subscribe on Apple: https://carguymedia.com/apple_bites
Subscribe on Spotify: https://carguymedia.com/spotify_bites
Subscribe on YouTube: https://carguymedia.com/youtube_bites
Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com
Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu
Topics:
00:41 What are the current industry challenges and how are OEM incentives addressing them?
04:51 How can dealerships balance long-term vision with day-to-day operations?
09:48 What are the key differences between luxury and mainstream markets?
16:54 How does affordability impact market dynamics in the automotive industry?
21:34 What role do leasing programs and consumer education play in the market?
31:13 How can deceptive pricing in third-party listings be addressed effectively?
36:40 What is the impact of performance-based pricing on dealerships and consumers?
46:04 What does the future of digital retailing look like for the automotive industry?
50:17 How can collaboration between OEMs and dealers be improved for mutual success?
Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:
CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/
CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/
My Socials:
X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/
TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership
LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy
Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683
Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
The Car Dealership Guy Podcast, hosted by Yossi Levi, delivers authentic conversations with industry leaders, top dealers, and innovators, revealing the insights shaping the future of automotive retail.
Plus—Don't miss Industry Spotlight, hosted by Sam D’Arc, highlights standout dealerships, innovative companies, and the trends driving success in today’s automotive market.
Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for the best moments from the show.