The AI hype is real, and every vendor at NADA claims to have the next big thing for your car dealership. But as you consider integrating new tools, are you truly solving problems or just inviting new ones? The promise of AI in automotive retail is vast, yet without a strategic approach and "human in the loop," the technology can quickly become a costly distraction.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why generic AI solutions often fail to deliver real ROI in a dealership setting.
• How to identify and choose AI tools that provide actionable data instead of just affirming biases.
• The critical role of "organic intelligence" in leveraging AI to move more metal and improve fixed ops.
• Strategies for avoiding common technological pitfalls that lead to change management nightmares.

Mackenzie Wiltrout, VP of Innovation at Stream Companies, shares her expert perspective on finding impactful AI that genuinely drives dealer growth.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:11 AI Hype Versus Impact

03:14 Proof And ROI Data

05:59 Humans In The Loop

07:57 Bias And Obliging Chatbots

11:03 Stream Vision Orange OS

13:25 Data Vacuum Dangers

16:17 Outro

AI is rapidly changing the automotive retail landscape. The question isn't whether it will impact your car dealership, but how to leverage it without alienating your customers. Are you ready to integrate AI in a way that amplifies, rather than diminishes, human connection and trust?

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why 90% of consumers still prefer human interaction even while using AI.
• How to use AI to drive "auto un-intenders" – high-value customers who aren't actively shopping – to your store.
• The critical role of brand health in retaining loyal customers and avoiding the "race to the bottom" on pricing.
• Practical strategies to make your dealership more accessible to your target audience using audio channels.

Joey Zanetis, Executive Vice President at iHeart Media Automotive, shares insights from extensive consumer studies on bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI and the timeless need for human connection in sales.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:53 Guaranteed Human Explained

04:00 Redefining Smart in AI

06:48 Human vs Machine Trust

08:00 Influencers and Honest Reviews

11:01 Brand Health and Trust

15:32 Cross Platform Audio Strategy

20:18 Auto Unintenders and Profit

22:36 Podcast Outro

Is your dealership losing customers you thought were gone for good? Every automotive professional knows the sting of a "lost" sale, but what if those defections weren't permanent goodbyes, but instead, opportunities for powerful comebacks through fixed operations?

In this episode, Kristine Lentz, Product Operations Manager at Urban Science, reveals how using precise data can transform your view of customer defection from a failure to a strategic advantage.

What you will get from this episode:

• Understand why traditional "defection" metrics might be leading you astray.
• Discover how leveraging sales data can pinpoint exactly why and when customers leave.
• Learn how to use fixed ops as a potent reactivation tool for "lost" customers.
• Redefine your follow-up strategies to recapture customers and build lasting relationships.
• Strategically deploy AI in your sales process to close crucial gaps.

Kristine Lentz is the Product Operations Manager at Urban Science, bringing years of expertise in leveraging data to drive actionable insights and improve dealer performance.

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Timestamps00:00 Intro

00:42 Defection Defined

02:43 Finding the Leak

04:35 Days to Sale Insights

05:32 AI as a Partner

07:26 Empathy Still Matters

08:57 Facing the Fear

10:26 Stop Chasing Sold Leads

10:59 Service Reactivation Play

12:31 Data Plus Human Response

13:55 Outro