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This episode was originally released on April 24, 2025.

In 2025, we joined up with Erroll Bomar III to bring the world the Unscripted podcast, live from the ASOTU CON floor. This was our first long-form conversation with him and the More Than Cars mindset that he has is on full display. Erroll will be back at ASOTU CON 2026, from May 12-14 in Hanover, MD. You can get tickets and learn more at https://www.asotucon.com/

For Erroll Bomar III, selling cars is just the surface—his real drive is inspiring lasting change, one relationship at a time.

In this episode of Auto Collabs, we’re joined by the magnetic Erroll Bomar III—Ford product specialist, NADA Live Stage veteran, and founder of The Change 365. Known for his presence at auto shows and his encyclopedic knowledge of vehicles, Erroll unpacks his journey from early car sales to national events, sharing how relationship-driven selling laid the foundation for his career. His automotive chops are impressive, but what really shines through is his genuine care for people and his belief that emotional connection beats transactional business every time.

The conversation shifts gears to something even deeper: the difference between motivation and inspiration. Erroll drops wisdom about helping people change not just their minds, but their lives—one day at a time. His nonprofit work with The Change365 shows how he's using that ethos to impact men’s physical and mental health. From subtle Ford hacks (hello, nine-volt battery trick) to the reality of loneliness in our digital age, this episode is part car talk, part soul talk—and fully inspiring. Yes, part two is already in the works.

0:00 - Intro with Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier and Michael Cirillo

6:08 -Relationship-Driven Roots: Erroll details his start in automotive, selling cars commission-only and learning the power of customer relationships before social media changed the game.

10:25 - From Spokesmodel to Specialist: He walks through the evolution of auto show roles and why deep product knowledge has become non-negotiable for today’s consumers.

11:18 - The 9-Volt Hack: Learn the little-known Ford feature that could unlock your vehicle in a pinch—and why these niche facts matter to brand loyalty.

18:21 - The Change365 and the Power of Inspiration: Erroll explains why he champions inspiration over motivation and how his nonprofit helps men take control of their wellness year-round.

26:33 - It's All About Connection: Whether at an auto show or a dealership, Erroll's mission is to ensure people feel seen, heard, and cared for—because that’s what makes the biggest impact.

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A candid, hosts-only conversation about the mindset shift quietly transforming the automotive industry from the inside out.

Somewhere between a conversation and a checkpoint, Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo zoom out on what “More Than Cars” actually means when you’re living it day to day. From dealership floors to global conversations, they unpack how a simple mindset shift is helping people see beyond transactions and into impact.

What unfolds is a raw, honest look at the tension between short-term wins and long-term legacy. They talk about the weight of leadership, the reality of bad actors still succeeding, and why choosing the human path is harder, but ultimately more sustainable. This isn’t just about selling cars, it’s about building something that lasts and realizing that the real work has always been about people.

Key Takeaways

0:00 “What You’re Doing Isn’t Actually What You’re Doing”—The Mindset Shift Most People Miss

0:53 The Photo That Proves This Industry Changes Lives (If You Let It)

2:35 You’re Missing Opportunities Because You’re Only Looking at What’s in Front of You

3:30 The Piano Metaphor That Explains How Real Collaboration Actually Works

4:23 “Own Your Line, Know the Map”

6:14 More Than Cars as a Personal Mantra, Not Just a Business Strategy

8:00 Why Ignoring the Human Side Is Quietly Killing Performance

9:05 The Uncomfortable Truth: Bad Actors Are Still Winning (For Now)

11:12 The Real Test of Leadership: Choosing the Long Game When Shortcuts Work

13:00 “A Funeral Full of People”

15:44 The Industry Is Finally Opening Up, And It’s Happening Faster Than You Think

16:58 From Competition to Collaboration in 5 Years

18:13 Why This Industry Might Be the Only Place Where All of This Coexists

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Behind every dealership is an unseen battle over regulation, competition, and control—and the next few years may decide who really owns the future of the automotive industry.

Ted Smith has spent his career in the engine room of the automotive industry—working inside associations that quietly shape how cars are sold, serviced, and protected across America. As President of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and incoming Chair of Automotive Trade Association Executives, Ted sits at the intersection of policy, retail, and the future of mobility. His job? Help thousands of dealers navigate an industry that’s evolving faster than ever before.

In this conversation, Ted breaks down the massive forces reshaping automotive retail—from Chinese automakers and direct-to-consumer sales models to Amazon entering the vehicle marketplace. He explains why associations exist in the first place, why the franchise dealer system continues to survive every disruption thrown at it, and why the real battle for the industry might not be what most people think. The message is clear: the future of automotive retail won’t be decided by technology alone—it will be decided by who protects the ecosystem that keeps customers, dealers, and manufacturers working together.

Timestamped Takeaways:

00:00 Why Automotive Leaders “Drive Using the Rear-View Mirror”

02:02 The Responsibility of Trade Associations

05:06 Dealerships Are Complex Empires

10:11 The Scout Controvers

12:21 Why the Franchise Dealer System Still Works

15:32 Why Local Dealers Matter After the Sale

19:57 Amazon Entering the Car Market

22:10 China’s Strategy in the Global Auto Market

23:20 Why Dealers Might Actually Want Chinese Vehicles

24:41 The Hidden Risk of Foreign OEMs

26:47 How Chinese Vehicles Could Enter the U.S. Through Canada

29:35 Why Curiosity Beats Control in a Changing Industry

Connect with Ted Smith at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-smith-9ab26632/

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

We have a daily email!

https://www.asotu.com

✉️ Sign up for our free and fun-to-read daily email for a quick shot of relevant news in automotive retail, media, and pop culture.

🎧 Like and follow our other podcasts:

1. Automotive State of the Union
2. ASOTU CON Sessions