The Automotive Advantage

The Automotive Advantage
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Grow your business and get smarter in just one hour. Join the go-to newsletter for automotive industry insiders looking to up their marketing game, build their brand, make smart investments, and grow their business.

  1. 1D AGO

    From "Like a Rock" to Likes and Clicks — Detroit Ad Man Ty Damon Tells All | Automotive Advantage

    What did it actually take to build one of the most iconic automotive ad campaigns in American history? In this episode, host Jamie sits down with Ty Damon — fourth-generation Detroit ad man and recently retired veteran of Jack Morton — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the golden age of automotive advertising, what killed it, and what the industry desperately needs to reclaim.Ty breaks down the full architecture of how Detroit's agency world worked at its peak from product planning and positioning to media strategy and multi-million dollar production budgets. He tells the story behind the Chevy Tahoe launch, the "Like a Rock" campaign, a $576 million Manchester United sponsorship, and what it felt like to hand autographs to Chinese schoolchildren who mistook him for Wayne Rooney.But this episode isn't just nostalgia. It's a masterclass in what great marketing actually requires: knowing your product, knowing your customer, and having the conviction to stick with a big idea long enough for it to become iconic.If you've ever wondered why modern automotive marketing feels hollow — more data, fewer insights, more content, less impact — Ty explains exactly how we got here and why the compression of creative talent into generalist roles is costing the industry more than anyone admits.Topics covered:* How Detroit's advertising infrastructure compared to Hollywood in its prime* Product positioning vs. snappy headlines... what actually sells vehicles* The real story behind "Like a Rock" and why it worked for 11 years* Why the shift from commission-based to fee-based agency models changed everything* The data paradox: more analytics, worse insights* What the automotive aftermarket can learn from the golden era of brand buildingThis is the kind of conversation that only happens when someone has truly lived it. Don't miss it.Subscribe for new episodes every week.🎙️ Automotive Advantage — Where the automotive industry goes to think bigger, build smarter, and grow faster.

    1h 26m

  2. FEB 12

    The Auto Industry Is Heating Up... Are You Positioned Right? | Automotive Advantage EP026

    General Motors writes off $7.2 billion in EV losses… and the stock goes UP. Record profits. A 20% dividend hike. Meanwhile, tiny enthusiast programs can’t get approved.What is actually happening in the automotive industry right now?In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we break down:• The GM Q4 earnings surprise and what it signals for 2026 • Why trucks and SUVs continue to dominate OEM profits• MidwayPlus aftermarket data showing demand up 37% but conversions down• Why high net worth buyers are doubling exotic car values at auction• Record-breaking Barrett-style auction results and what they mean for your business• Rolex 24 viewership surging and racing momentum returning• Why $200,000 trucks keep selling out• Minivan sales up 21% (yes, really)• The High Performance Expo movement building in Charlotte• How a niche Corvette dealer sold multiple cars from one podcast appearance• Opus Clip, AI content, and whether you’re overthinking social media• The truth about AI agents and what business owners should actually care aboutIf you’re in the automotive aftermarket, performance parts, racing, dealership operations, or automotive marketing, this episode is packed with real signals you should be watching heading into 2026.The economy feels loose. Racing is back. Big trucks are king. High-end buyers are spending aggressively. The question is… are you positioned correctly?Subscribe for weekly insights on growing your automotive business smarter.

    1h 1m

  3. JAN 16

    The Corvette Buying Secrets Dealers Don’t Want You to Know

    Buying a new performance car should not feel like a trap. In this episode of Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Alan Johnson, widely known as the best Corvette salesman in the country, to break down how the dealership world actually works… and how buyers can win. We cover what allocation really means, why MSRP is not the whole story, how dealership relationships matter more than people think, and what separates a great Corvette buying experience from a nightmare. Alan also walks through the entire modern Corvette lineup, from Stingray to Z06 to ZR1, explains which options actually matter, which ones hurt resale, and why most people overspend in the wrong places. If you are shopping for a Corvette, a performance car, or just want to understand how dealers think behind the scenes, this episode will save you time, money, and frustration. Topics include: How Corvette allocations actually work Why long term dealer relationships matter The real difference between Stingray, Z06, E-Ray, and ZR1 What options are worth the money and which are not How used Corvettes really hold value Why some buyers get priority access and others never do This episode applies to more than Corvettes. These lessons translate to buying any performance car today. Also, if you see any errors in the video render, we apologize! Seems like we're having an issue with one of the cameras, we will get it fixed ASAP.

    1h 12m

  4. JAN 8

    Cybersecurity in 2026: 1 Mistake Can Wipe Out Your Automotive Business | Automotive Advantage EP023

    Cyberattacks are no longer a “big company problem.” In 2026, every automotive business is a target.In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we sit down with cybersecurity expert Brad Brown to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes and why ignoring security today can cost you everything tomorrow.We cover:* Why hackers don’t need to “guess” your password anymore* The biggest cybersecurity mistakes shop owners make without realizing it* How phishing, spoofed emails, and fake Zoom calls are stealing millions* Why social media access and shared passwords are massive risks* What multi factor authentication actually protects and what it doesn’t* How AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning are changing scams forever* Real world examples of companies losing millions overnight* Simple steps any business can take right now to reduce riskThis isn’t about paranoia. It’s about awareness, basic hygiene, and protecting what you’ve spent years building.If you run a shop, manage an automotive brand, handle finances, or touch customer data in any way, this episode could save your business.Listen now and make 2026 the year you stop being an easy target.

    1h 14m

  5. JAN 1

    The Sales Playbook Behind 100x Growth in the Automotive Industry | Automotive Advantage EP022

    What actually drives 100x growth in the automotive industry?In this episode of the Automotive Advantage Podcast, Justin and Jamie sit down with Robin Lawrence, known across the industry as Uncle Robin, to break down the real sales techniques that win long term.This is not about quick wins, influencer hype, or chasing metrics that do not matter.Robin shares how patience, credibility, and relationship driven selling helped build some of the most successful aftermarket programs in history, including lessons learned from his time working with Holley and GM Performance Parts.You will learn why the biggest sales opportunities often take years to close, how to sell without pitching, how to help shops and customers make more money instead of just moving product, and why most automotive businesses struggle when they chase short term revenue.They also unpack what automotive brands need to do differently heading into 2026, how to build trust in a crowded market, and how the best operators think several moves ahead while everyone else is stuck reacting.If you run a speed shop, performance brand, dealership, or aftermarket business and want sales strategies that actually scale, this episode lays out the blueprint.

    1h 19m

  6. 12/18/2025

    Everything Changes in 2026! AI, Racing, PE, Content, & What Breaks Next | Automotive Advantage EP021

    What does 2026 really look like for the automotive industry? In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we make bold predictions about where the industry is headed and what is about to change fast. From EV missteps and OEM course corrections to the rise of AI in launch photography, media, and marketing, nothing is off the table. We break down real data from the Midway Index showing surprising momentum in the aftermarket, talk racing shakeups across F1, NASCAR, IHRA, and drag racing, and dig into what performance parts, diesel, and resto-mod culture look like next. This episode also goes deep on events, attention over marketing, private equity, fatigue in the workforce, and how brands should actually prepare for the year ahead instead of guessing. If you work in the automotive aftermarket, racing, OEM, media, or marketing world and want a grounded, no-hype look at what is coming in 2026, this one is required listening. Topics include:• The possible end of traditional automotive launch photography• EV reality checks and OEM strategy shifts• Racing predictions across F1, NASCAR, IHRA, and beyond• Performance parts trends and where power is going next• Events, attention, and why in-person matters more than ever• Private equity, new product launches, and brand relevance• How AI is already changing the industry in real ways Subscribe for weekly conversations on business, marketing, and the future of the automotive industry.

    1h 17m

  7. 12/04/2025

    THE AUTOMOTIVE AWARDS NO ONE ASKED FOR | Top Cars, Trends, Winners, Losers & 2025 Industry Breakdown

    Welcome back to The Automotive Advantage. Today we reveal the 2025 Automotive Awards that absolutely no one asked for, but everyone will have an opinion about. We break down the best, the worst, and the completely unhinged moments from across the automotive world and crown winners in categories like Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, Top Upfitter, Best Performance Part, Top Media, Best Event, and more. We even pick the Dogs of the Year and talk about the trends that shaped 2025. Inside this episode we cover• The car companies that actually moved the industry forward• Why Ford, Dodge SRT, and Toyota dominated different segments• Corvette ZR1, GTD, used enthusiast cars, and the rise of the $200K build• The Slate truck hype and the f 150 as the new Fox Body• Fox Factory, Singer, RTR, and the future of upfitted vehicles• Why sim racing and iRacing are becoming real sanctioning bodies• Influencers vs traditional media and why Bring a Trailer runs the culture• Power Tour, Roadkill, Dream Cruise and the event boom• The campaigns that worked and the ones that felt cursed• HP Tuners, Whipple, and the new performance landscape• The rise of AI generated chaos in automotive media Then we give out our picks for moment of the year, person of the year, and the industry low points we hope stay in 2025. Drop your top ten lists, tell us where we were wrong, and let us know what you are looking forward to in 2026. New episodes every week. Like, comment, subscribe, and share with a friend who loves cars as much as we do.

    58 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    What Happens in Vegas… Is Already Reshaping Your Automotive Business | EP018

    This week on Automotive Advantage, we're back from Las Vegas and breaking down the biggest trends, surprises, and takeaways shaping the automotive aftermarket right now. From industry optimism to wild builds, from burnout culture to AI-generated launch videos… we cover it all. In this episode: • Why the vibe in Las Vegas felt shockingly positive this year• What booth quality, brand presence, and attendance say about the industry• The rise of content creators at major events and why brands are doubling down• Why face-to-face events are back in a massive way (and how brands should adapt)• The hot segments by hall and what that tells us about 2026• Trucks dominating the industry and the F-150 becoming the new “muscle car”• Why extreme builds and million-dollar cars are overshadowing relatable, bolt-on projects• The burnout/takeover trend and the controversial idea that it’s replacing motorsports• What’s missing at today’s events: karting, dragsters, dynos, and grassroots racing• Insights into OEM activity, stealth recon work, and what new trends they’re tracking• Big wins for brands including a top-12 Battle of the Builders finish for a black Gen 1 Bronco• Why brighter car colors still dominate photography and social media performance• The return of audio builds and the competitiveness of the North Hall landscape• How one builder’s Las Vegas success is transforming his business overnight• A look at new product drops, extreme horsepower trends, blowers-through-hoods, and more• The growing influence of AI in automotive marketing… including a launch video that used it• How AI is (and isn’t) reliable for social metrics and brand performance• What brands should rethink for 2026 and why the industry feels strong heading into the new year Whether you're a builder, brand, marketer, shop owner, or gearhead, this Vegas recap delivers real insights you can actually use. Watch, subscribe, and drop a comment:What trend surprised you the most?

    48 min
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About

Grow your business and get smarter in just one hour. Join the go-to newsletter for automotive industry insiders looking to up their marketing game, build their brand, make smart investments, and grow their business.

Information

  • Creator
    The Automotive Advantage
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Automotive Advantage
  • Show Website
    The Automotive Advantage

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