Send us Fan Mail

At the NY Auto Forum, John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, breaks down one of the most critical moments facing the global auto industry. With rising geopolitical tension, China’s growing dominance, and shifting retail dynamics, the stakes for U.S. dealers and OEMs have never been higher. This conversation goes beyond headlines to unpack what “fair competition” actually means—and why it’s not the current reality.

Bozzella makes a clear case: the franchise model only works if the industry stays aligned. From Tesla’s early disruption to today’s policy debates and global overcapacity concerns, the conversation highlights a hard truth—dealers and OEMs must compete together or risk losing the customer entirely. This is a front-line look at the structural forces reshaping automotive retail and what leaders must do now to stay competitive.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro

0:20 Why U.S.–China Talks Matter for Auto

1:05 The Auto Industry’s Role in U.S. GDP

1:50 The Problem with “Unfair” Global Competition

3:05 China’s Overcapacity and Global Impact

4:10 Breakdown of Dealer Struggles in Global Markets

5:20 Why the Franchise Model Still Wins

6:35 The Tesla Effect and Policy Consequences

8:05 One System or No System at All

9:10 Why Alignment Between Dealers and OEMs Matters

10:15 Competing for the Modern Customer

11:20 Building a More Competitive Industry Together

Connect with John Bozzella at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bozzella/

Learn more about the Alliance for Automotive Innovation at https://www.autosinnovate.org/

Our coverage of the NY Auto Forum is brought to you Force Marketing. Learn more at https://www.forcemarketing.com/

⭐️ 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

Send us Fan Mail

At the NY Auto Forum, Force Marketing CEO John Fitzpatrick breaks down the real forces shaping automotive retail right now—from tariffs and policy shifts to EV adoption and affordability pressures. With insights tied directly to Senator Moreno’s surprisingly accurate market predictions, this conversation challenges the “doom and gloom” narrative and reframes where dealers actually stand today.

Fitzpatrick dives into what’s actually working on the ground: transparency, consistent communication, and operational fundamentals that most high-performing dealers already execute well. He also unpacks the FTC’s latest enforcement stance, the opportunity in used EV inventory, and why AI isn’t about perfection—it’s about speed. For dealers navigating uncertainty, this is a grounded, operator-level look at what matters now and what’s coming next.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro

0:18 Why This Moment Matters for Dealers

1:05 Senator Moreno’s Market Prediction Accuracy

2:10 Tariffs, Policy, and Dealer Sentiment Shift

3:05 Dealers at the Intersection of Economy and Consumer

4:12 FTC Enforcement and Advertising Transparency

6:02 The “Bad Actor” Narrative vs Reality

7:25 What Consumers Actually Respond To

8:40 Used EV Opportunity and Affordability Shift

10:05 Toyota’s Strategy Dealers Should Copy

11:15 Why Service Drives Repeat Purchases

12:05 AI as Speed, Not Perfection

13:20 The Future Impact of Decisions Made Today

Connect with John Fitzpatrick at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwfitz/

Our coverage of the NY Auto Forum is brought to you Force Marketing. Learn more at https://www.forcemarketing.com/

⭐️ 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

Send us Fan Mail

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.

⭐️ 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

Send us Fan Mail

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

⭐️ 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

Send a text

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

Send a text

If service drives sales, why are dealers letting their best customers slip through the cracks?

Shane Wilson, President of Connected Dealer Services, joins Auto Collabs with a bold claim: dealers don’t have a pricing problem in service—they have a trust and communication problem. While most consumers believe dealerships cost more, the data tells a different story. In fact, independent shops are often $10–$15 higher per repair. And here’s the stat that should stop every operator in their tracks: 74% of customers who service at a dealership are more likely to buy their next vehicle there. The issue? Retention is dropping fast.

In this conversation, Shane breaks down why “old playbooks don’t win new games,” how dealers are unknowingly leaking customers after year one, and what it really takes to build a moat around your service drive. From mobile app strategy to real-time odometer data to creating an Amazon-like ownership experience, this episode is a masterclass in customer lifetime value and how service is the flywheel that powers the entire dealership.

Key Takeaways

00:00 – Dealers Aren’t More Expensive… So Why Do Customers Think They Are?

03:55 – 74% of Serviced Customers Are More Likely to Buy Again

04:46 – Retention Is Falling Fast—and Year Two Is the Danger Zone

06:18 – Independent Shops Are Winning the Marketing War

07:13 – Perception Is Reality (Even When the Data Says Otherwise)

11:39 – The Moat Strategy: Own the Relationship Before Someone Else Does

12:03 – From Lot Management Tool to $40M Profit Engine

14:36 – Push Notifications Outperform Email and SMS—Here’s Why

16:31 – Technology Alone Won’t Save You—Humans Still Matter

17:32 – Real-Time Odometer Data: The Hidden Retention Weapon

20:24 – Remove the Friction, Remove the Worry

22:55 – Stop Leaving Retention to Chance

Connect with Shane Wilson at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebwilson/

Learn more about CarRx at https://www.carrx.com/

⭐️ 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

Send a text

Third-gen dealer leader Emily Marlow Beck breaks down why humility is a competitive advantage, how to become “essential” to customers, and how to lead through AI-era uncertainty without losing your heart.

Emily Marlow Beck didn’t expect to be recognized—especially not as a TIME Dealer of the Year nominee. She runs a three-store group, not a mega-empire, and her first reaction was basically: “Oh… me?” But as the conversation unfolds, it’s clear why her name landed in that room: she leads with the kind of grounded, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset that’s rare in any industry—and even rarer when you’re a third-generation dealer who chose to lean in instead of opt out.

We get the backstory too: law school, a brutal offer rescinded right before the bar exam, and the pivot into dealer law before she returned home in 2010 to build roots with her dad and raise her family near the business. From cleaning the technician bathroom as a teenager (yes, really) to becoming an “innovative problem solver” for time-starved customers, Emily makes one idea painfully clear: culture isn’t a poster—it’s whether people see you in the dirt with them.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 — Why Starting Is So Hard (And Why It Matters Anyway)

0:33 — “Oh… Me?” The Surprising Reality of Being Nominated for TIME Dealer of the Year

3:35 — The Third-Generation Dealer “Curse” (And Why She Ignored the Warnings)

4:17 — The Devastating Call Before the Bar Exam

5:04 — “If You Think You’re Too Good for This Work…”

8:01 — Leadership Is Servanthood (Not Status)

11:17 — Showing Up Every Day Is the Real Competitive Advantage

14:25 — Why Leaders Have to Get Their Hands Dirty

15:04 — Becoming “Essential” to Your Customers

18:12 — Uncertainty Is in Our DNA

20:24 — Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

21:12 — The 2026 Focus: Efficiency Through Better Communication

Connect with Emily Marlow Beck at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-marlow-beck-6859849/

Learn more about her dealership group at https://marlowautogroup.com/

⭐️ 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

Send a text

This episode originally released on April 4, 2024.

Will Guidara has never told this story before.

He’s now world-famous, a New York Times bestseller, and has appeared on talk shows, stages and podcasts. But this is the first time he shares how he and Simon Sinek met and connected, ultimately leading to Simon asking him to write a book, ‘Unreasonable Hospitality.’

He opens up about his belief that anyone, in any profession, can choose to be part of the hospitality industry by prioritizing people with the same zeal often reserved for products. His book serves as a testament to this philosophy, emphasizing the power of prioritizing relationships and the human moments that weave through our professional endeavors.

Will is a maestro in the art of making people feel valued beyond the transaction, and applies this to the automotive industry. 🌟 "Every car tells a chapter of your life story," Will muses, highlighting the profound connections between milestones and the vehicles we choose to mark them.

In essence, this interview is not just about the cross-pollination of ideas between industries but a clarion call to infuse our work with humanity, creativity, and, most importantly, unreasonable hospitality. Will Guidara masterfully reminds us that at the heart of every transaction, every service, lies the unparalleled power of making people feel truly seen and valued.

0:00 - Introduction to Will Guidara and the Essence of "Unreasonable Hospitality"

0:23 - Will's Philosophy: Making Hospitality a Universal Industry

1:33 - The Significance of Investing in Relationships Over Moments

3:18 - Embracing People Over Product: Will's Mantra for Success

9:25 - The Story Behind Will's Connection with Simon Sinek

22:24 - Challenging Traditional Rules and Empowering Creativity in Hospitality

34:37 - Opportunities for Hospitality in the Automotive Industry: Celebrating Life's Moments

Will Guidara built Eleven Madison Park into The #1 Restaurant in the World and is the Bestselling Author of ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’

https://www.linkedin.com/in/willguidara/

https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/

⭐️ 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