Dealer Driven

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 market, and what NADA is doing to protect it. From fighting regulatory overreach to rethinking the customer experience, Cochran lays out his strategic priorities for 2026. He also discusses how NADA is tackling AI through scenario planning and what dealers need to consider when thinking long-term.
This episode captures NADA’s leadership mindset in a pivotal year for retail automotive.
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Presented by The National Automobile Dealers Association
https://www.nada.org/

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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 forces that defined Q4 and the full year in auto retail. Patrick breaks down the sharp drop in EV sales following the expiration of tax credits, the surge in hybrid demand, and why inventory discipline kept incentives in check despite ongoing uncertainty. We also dig into pricing and affordability pressures, interest rate outlooks, tariff impacts, and what the evolving mix of new and used vehicles means for dealer strategy. Along the way, Patrick shares his expectations for the U.S. light vehicle market in 2026 and offers practical guidance on how dealers can position their inventory and operations for the year ahead.
Give this episode a listen for a clear-eyed economic perspective and actionable insights to help you navigate what’s next with confidence.
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Presented by The National Automobile Dealers Association
https://www.nada.org/

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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 of 2025, including critical changes to tax law, EV incentives, and the reversal of looming state-level mandates that threatened dealership operations.
We also get a look ahead at what’s coming in 2026, including the ongoing battle over Right to Repair, proposed changes to franchise protections, and what’s at stake in the next surface transportation bill. Plus, we talk about what dealers can do right now to advocate for their business at the federal level.
Would you like to get involved or have questions? Contact Jason Todd at [email protected] to help strengthen dealer advocacy at the federal level.
Whether you're on the front lines or behind the scenes, this episode breaks down why advocacy matters — and how NADA’s work in DC is shaping the future of retail auto.
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Presented by The National Automobile Dealers Association
https://www.nada.org/

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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 and smoother check-ins to predictive inspections and faster payments. Kim shares what dealers can do today to remove friction, improve communication, and turn service into a revenue engine.
Whether you’re looking to cut hold times, increase transparency, or improve shop efficiency, this episode offers clear, practical steps to make your service operations a real differentiator.
You may download the CDK Service Shopper 5.0 Study at https://www.cdkglobal.com/insights/cdk-service-shopper-50-study-here.
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Presented by The National Automobile Dealers Association
https://www.nada.org/

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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 today to streamline operations, improve marketing performance, and enhance internal training.
Topics include how to simulate trade-in conversations using conversational AI, use AI to write vehicle ads tailored to specific customer personas, and apply automation to repetitive tasks across departments. The discussion also clarifies the difference between agentic and logarithmic AI, offering insight into what’s available now—and what’s coming soon.
For dealership leaders exploring the role of AI in operations, this conversation offers a clear, actionable starting point.
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Presented by The National Automobile Dealers Association
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