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In this episode, my guest is Joost Nieuwlaar, a digital consultant at Datamotive, Joost has been active in the digital automotive world for more than seven years. He helps dealer holding companies and car companies optimise their digital strategy, from lead generation to conversion. Joost stood at the cradle of Datamotive, inspired by recurring questions from the market. His mission: to help car companies stay ahead digitally.

We talk about what makes a dealer website actually perform, how AI is already streamlining backend operations, and why the future of automotive retail is all about smart integration over more tools.

Here’s a quick taste of what we cover:

• The three powerhouse modules that make up the Datamotive platform
• Why “conversion” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the lifeblood of your site
• How AI (when combined with good data) is unlocking smarter workflows for marketing teams
• The future of car configurators, customer personalization, and European expansion
• Plus: Joost shares what actually drives more car sales (hint: it’s not what you think)

This is a masterclass on how to future-proof your dealership's digital experience—with practical insights you can act on right away.

👉 If you’re tired of clunky platforms, siloed tools, and websites that collect dust instead of leads… hit play.

Let’s go.

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In this episode I sit down with Alex Gaspar, founder of AutoDialog, to unpack a seriously inspiring transformation—from being pulled out of school to save his family’s dealership, to building one of Belgium’s most respected automotive groups, and ultimately, launching a tech platform that’s revolutionising after-sales for dealers across Europe.

But this isn't your typical founder story.

Alex didn’t set out to be a tech innovator. He just couldn't stand the inefficiencies in his service department. So he built custom tools to fix it. Turns out, other dealers wanted in. Fast forward to today, and AutoDialog is helping dealerships digitise, automate, and scale their after-sales departments—without hiring more people.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Alex took a dealership from red to black in under three years — and the exact efficiency levers he pulled
• The real reason he transitioned from dealership owner to full-time software founder
• Why traditional DMS tools weren’t cutting it, and how he built AutoDialog to plug the gap — straight from the workshop floor
• The surprising power of letting salespeople just sell — and stripping away everything else
• How automation is helping dealers prepare for the EV future with triple the throughput (without tripling the staff)
• The launch of AI-powered assistants like NOVA and how it’s reshaping communication between service advisors, mechanics, and customers

Alex shares his journey with disarming honesty, practical wisdom, and some seriously quotable lines (like: “Give your team superpowers, not more tasks”). This isn’t just a feel-good founder story — it’s a roadmap for any dealer who’s tired of clunky processes, siloed data, and customers stuck on hold.

If you're serious about leveling up your after-sales game and future-proofing your operations, this episode is for you!

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In this episode, I sit down with Miguel Michiels, COO of AutoChat, to explore how AI is transforming the car business from the inside out. Miguel has spent over a decade in automotive retail, helping dealerships and leasing companies rethink their strategies. From running pricing at LeasePlan to leading the omnichannel revolution at Carnext, he knows exactly what it takes to sell cars in today’s digital world. Now, at AutoChat, he's building AI-powered solutions that make dealerships more efficient, more profitable, and more customer-friendly.

Here's what we dig into:

• The AI advantage – How dealerships are using AI to generate more leads and close more deals
• Automation that actually works – Reducing non-billable hours and cutting costs without losing the personal touch
• Why speed wins – How responding to customers faster leads to more sales
• What’s next for automotive AI – A behind-the-scenes look at AutoChat’s Nova AI and where the industry is headed
• Is AI replacing jobs? – The truth about automation, dealership employees, and the future of customer service

If you’ve ever wondered how AI can actually make your dealership better, this episode is for you.

So, if you want to stay ahead of the game and learn how the smartest dealers are using AI to work less and sell more, hit play and let’s get into it.

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Welcome to the First Episode of The Car Dealership Podcast!

In this episode we’re diving deep into how AI and digital communication are reshaping the automotive industry. No overhyped buzzwords—just real conversations about what’s actually working in dealerships today.

To kick things off, I’m joined by Michiel Borst, Chief Commercial Officer at UnameIT, a company that’s been revolutionizing how dealerships manage customer interactions and sales. With over 17 years in the automotive industry, Michiel knows exactly what makes dealerships tick—and more importantly, what’s holding them back.

What You’ll Get From This Episode:

• How AI-driven customer interactions boost lead conversion by up to 4% (and why this matters more than you think)
• The game-changing integration between UnameIT and AutoChat (and how it’s already helping dealerships close more deals)
• Why traditional lead forms might be costing you sales—and what to do instead
• The surprising role of marketing automation in customer engagement and upselling
• Where AI-powered voice technology is headed in the dealership space (spoiler: it’s coming faster than you expect)

This is just the beginning. If you’re in the automotive space and want to stay ahead of the curve, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

🔊 Hit play now and join us on this journey to explore the future of automotive AI!