Dealer Tech Talk

Simon Verona

Dealer Tech Talk explores how technology is transforming car and motorhome dealerships. Each episode breaks down tools, systems, and strategies that help dealerships become more efficient, profitable, and customer-focused. Our audience includes: Independent / Franchised car & motorhome dealersDealer group managersIndustry professionals looking to learn about dealership technology

  1. 14 June

    The Best DMS in 2026? You're Asking the Wrong Question

    Every dealer wants to know which DMS is the best. But the real question isn't which system is best — it's which system is best for your dealership. In the opening episode of Season 2, Simon Verona explores why DMS selection isn't about feature lists, slick demos, or following what other dealers use. It's about understanding your business, your processes, your growth plans, and choosing technology that fits. If you're reviewing your current DMS, planning a change, or simply trying to understand what makes a great dealership management system, this episode is packed with practical insights.

    29 min

  2. 17 May

    AI Chatbots in Dealerships: What’s Actually Working in 2026?

    Most dealership chatbots failed for one simple reason: They were built to capture leads — not help customers. In this episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona revisits AI chatbot technology and explores how modern AI agents are evolving far beyond the old scripted website chat widgets dealers became frustrated with. Today’s AI systems are becoming more conversational, more connected, and far more capable of supporting real dealership workflows. But there’s a catch… The success of AI in dealerships depends far less on the chatbot itself — and far more on how well it integrates with your CRM, DMS, processes, and customer journey. In this episode, we discuss:  Why many dealership chatbots originally failed  The biggest mistakes dealers still make with AI  How conversational AI has rapidly evolved  Why integration matters more than automation  Where AI agents outperform humans  Where human teams still massively outperform AI  The future of AI assistants across chat, WhatsApp, and voice If you’re considering AI for your dealership — or wondering whether chatbots are finally becoming useful — this episode is essential listening. 👉 Sponsored by DMS Navigator & Miles Companion

    11 min

  3. 3 May

    Why Most Dealers Don’t Really Know Their Numbers| Episode 14

    In this episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona is joined by Neil Smith from Motorvait to explore one of the biggest challenges facing modern dealerships: understanding the numbers that actually drive performance. From lead generation and conversion to technology overload and lost opportunities across the sales funnel, this conversation looks at where dealers are still falling short and what practical steps they can take to improve. Neil shares insights from his experience at Imperial Cars, Cazoo, and now Motorvait, including how the right systems, processes, and data visibility can transform dealership performance at scale. In this episode, we discuss:  Why most dealers still don’t know their real lead numbers  How Imperial scaled from 80 cars a month to over 2,000  Why tech only works when it fits the process  The challenge of too many disconnected tools  Where dealers lose customers in the sales funnel  Why part exchange remains a major point of attrition  How to identify the biggest opportunities for improvement  The one thing dealers should go away and do today If you want to improve performance without just adding more systems, this episode is packed with practical insight.

    37 min

  4. 26 Apr

    Dealer Control vs Marketplaces: Who Really Owns the Customer? | Episode 13

    Dealers invest heavily to bring customers into their ecosystem. But too often, that journey gets broken. In this episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona is joined by Gary Monaghan, Founder & CEO of Digital Remarketing Solutions and part of the team behind Freeway Motors. Together, they explore how dealers are losing control of the customer journey — especially when it comes to part exchange, stock sourcing, and third-party platforms. In this episode, we cover: • Why stock sourcing is one of the biggest challenges dealers face today  • How third-party platforms sit between dealers and customers  • The concept of “dealer-first digital” and why control matters  • Why part exchange is often the weakest part of the digital journey  • How remote vehicle appraisal is changing the process  • The problem with fragmented customer journeys  • How Freeway Motors enables dealers to retain control while still accessing wider markets  • Why integration between systems is critical for the future If you want to reduce friction, improve conversions, and keep control of your customers — this episode is a must-watch. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts  📥 Download guides at https://www.dealertechtalk.uk/guides

    33 min

  5. 12 Apr

    Payment Technology in Dealerships: Hidden Costs & Missed Opportunities| Episode 12

    Every dealership takes payments. But very few dealerships ever stop to look at how those payments actually flow through the business — and the friction that process creates. In this episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona breaks down the four main types of dealership payments and the operational challenges behind each one. From standalone card machines to online payments, bank transfers, and pay later products — most dealerships are still relying on disconnected systems that create unnecessary admin, errors, and inefficiencies. In this episode, we cover: • The four main types of payments dealerships process  • Why card machines are still disconnected from the DMS  • The hidden complexity behind online payments  • Why bank transfers create reconciliation headaches  • How pay later products can increase sales — but also admin  • The real cost of disconnected payment systems  • Why the industry is moving toward integrated payment infrastructure  • A simple exercise to uncover friction in your own dealership If you want to reduce admin, improve accuracy, and streamline operations, this episode will change how you think about payments. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts  📥 Download guides at https://www.dealertechtalk.uk/guides

    9 min

  6. 16 Mar

    CRM vs DMS: The Difference Every Dealership Should Understand | Episode 11

    Many dealerships run both a CRM and a Dealer Management System (DMS). But surprisingly, many dealers are still unclear about what each system actually does. In this episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona explains the real difference between CRM and DMS systems, how they overlap, and why poor integration between the two can create duplicate work, data problems and operational friction. If you're reviewing your dealership systems, this episode will help you understand how CRM and DMS should work together. In this episode we cover: • What a CRM actually does in a dealership • What a DMS is responsible for • Where CRM and DMS systems overlap • Integrated CRM vs standalone CRM • The biggest mistakes dealers make with their systems The key question every dealership should ask is simple: Where is the single source of truth for your dealership data? Dealer Tech Talk is the podcast where we break down how technology really works inside car and motorhome dealerships. No jargon. No sales fluff. Just practical insights. Sponsored by: DMS Navigator Helping dealerships run more efficiently and profitably. Miles Companion The customer app that keeps buyers connected long after the sale. Listen to more episodes https://www.dealertechtalk.uk

    7 min

  7. 5 Mar

    Voice AI in Dealerships: Hype or Real ROI? | Episode 10

    Voice AI used to feel experimental. Clunky. Robotic. Not quite ready for real customers. That’s changed. In this episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona explores how voice AI has crossed a threshold — moving from novelty technology to something that can deliver measurable operational benefits in dealerships today. We cut through the hype and focus on reality: What voice AI actually is  Where it works well today  Where it doesn’t  Why integration with your DMS is critical  How it reduces missed calls and staff interruptions  What happens when AI is deployed into broken processes  Where outbound AI calling is heading next Voice AI is not about replacing people.  It’s about handling repeatable, structured conversations so your team can focus on higher-value interactions. If you’re running a dealership and haven’t yet thought seriously about voice AI, this episode explains why now is the time. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts  📥 Download the free guide at https://www.dealertechtalk.uk/guides Dealer Tech Talk is sponsored by DMS Navigator and MyAutoCompanion.

    14 min

  8. 9 Feb

    Is a New DMS Worth It? Understanding the Real ROI for Dealerships | Episode 8

    Is investing in a new DMS really worth it — or is it just another cost dealerships are forced to accept? In this solo episode of Dealer Tech Talk, Simon Verona tackles one of the most common (and quietly asked) questions in the motor trade: what is the real ROI of a dealer management system? Rather than focusing on software features or price, Simon breaks down where DMS value actually comes from — efficiency, consistency, scalability, and better use of people’s time — and why the mindset dealers have towards their DMS often determines whether they see a return at all. In this episode, we cover: Why a DMS doesn’t directly “sell” — and why that misses the point How efficiency and process drive real profitability The biggest mistakes dealers make when implementing a DMS Why poor integration creates wasted time and hidden costs How better data visibility improves decision-making Why changing a DMS alone won’t fix broken business processes What high-performing dealers do differently to achieve 5x–10x ROI ■ If you’re a Dealer Principal, Manager, or Business Owner considering a DMS change — or wondering if you’re getting enough value from your current system — this episode will help you rethink how ROI is really created. ■ Download the guide that accompanies this episode: https://www.dealertechtalk.uk/guides ■ Sponsors DMS Navigator — the Dealer Management System that boosts efficiency, improves customer service, and helps dealers grow profits. https://www.dmsnavigator.com/ MyAutoCompanion — the customer app that keeps buyers connected, increases retention, and grows lifetime dealer revenue. https://www.myautocompanion.com/

    19 min
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About

Dealer Tech Talk explores how technology is transforming car and motorhome dealerships. Each episode breaks down tools, systems, and strategies that help dealerships become more efficient, profitable, and customer-focused. Our audience includes: Independent / Franchised car & motorhome dealersDealer group managersIndustry professionals looking to learn about dealership technology

Information

  • Creator
    Simon Verona
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dealer Tech Talk
  • Show Website
    Dealer Tech Talk