Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News

Jim Fitzpatrick
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Inside Automotive is a groundbreaking show that offers a captivating blend of dealership news, automotive retailing best practices, and cutting-edge industry insights from top executives and analysts. Featuring trailblazing industry insiders, this show offers a comprehensive look into the latest happenings within dealerships, highlighting key trends and developments. Through interviews with successful dealers, expert analysis, and practical advice, viewers gain valuable knowledge on implementing effective strategies, improving operations, and navigating the ever-changing automotive landscape. For more like this visit us at CBTNews.com.

  1. 3d ago

    How Connected Payment Systems Help Prevent Costly Errors

    Panos Kotselas, Senior Director of Payment Operations at myKaarma, joins Inside Automotive for the second installment of a three-part series on dealership payment technology. Kotselas explains how payment systems designed for automotive retail can reduce manual work, improve financial oversight and give customers more flexibility when paying for service. From DMS integration to centralized reporting, he outlines how connected payment processes can help dealerships operate more efficiently. How integrating payment processing with the DMS reduces duplicate data entry and reconciliation errorsWhy disconnected payment systems can create costly mistakes and administrative workHow buy now, pay later options can help customers manage unexpected repair expensesWhy dealers should introduce payment flexibility during the vehicle inspection processHow centralized reporting gives dealership groups better visibility across multiple locationsHow transparent surcharging and dual pricing practices support a smoother checkout experienceKotselas also discusses how payment visibility can help dealers identify process issues, manage transaction risks and make more informed decisions across service, parts and vehicle sales. Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  2. Oct 20

    Panos Kotselas on Surcharge Compliance Across State Lines

    Panos Kotselas, Senior Director of Payment Operations at myKaarma, joins Inside Automotive to explain how dealerships can manage credit card surcharge compliance across state lines and payment channels. In the first installment of a three-part series, Kotselas discusses how varying state laws and card network requirements affect dealer groups, why employee training matters and how clear payment processes can protect the customer experience. Why surcharge rules become more complex as dealer groups expand across multiple statesThe differences between credit and debit card surcharge requirementsHow myKaarma’s rules engine helps dealerships maintain compliance across online and in-person paymentsHow remote and on-site training prepare employees to explain surcharges and address customer questionsWhy transparency helps prevent payment surprises and improve customer confidenceHow alternative payment options, including buy now, pay later, can support customers with different payment needsInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  3. Oct 19

    Andrew LaCivita on Clearer Communication in Dealerships

    Andrew LaCivita, founder of milewalk Academy and author of Signal Strength, joins Inside Automotive to discuss how dealership leaders can communicate more clearly, build trust with their teams and keep employees aligned around shared goals. LaCivita explains how a few practical communication habits can help dealers deliver clearer updates, explain difficult decisions and create an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking honestly. How to prepare mentally before important conversations and consider the listener’s perspectiveHow the CAR technique, context, action and result, helps teams deliver concise status updatesHow “what, so what, now what” clarifies decisions, their importance and the next stepsWhy explaining the reasoning behind difficult decisions builds understanding and trustHow consistent leadership encourages employees to share concerns and honest feedbackWhy clear expectations, structured meetings and effective training help teams stay alignedInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  4. Oct 16

    Dejuan Ross on Lexus’ Growth Strategy for 2027

    Dejuan Ross, Group Vice President and General Manager of the Lexus Division at Toyota Motor North America, joins Inside Automotive to discuss Lexus’ growth priorities for 2027. Following a record-breaking 2025, Ross outlines the brand’s sales outlook, inventory strategy, electrification plans and efforts to help dealers protect profitability while navigating affordability challenges. Lexus’ projected sales growth from 2026 into 2027How a multipath powertrain strategy balances hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVsWhy disciplined inventory levels help dealers manage costs and profitabilityHow Lexus is addressing affordability and higher lease paymentsOpportunities in fixed operations and certified pre-owned vehiclesWhy dealer confidence and investment are central to Lexus’ growth plansInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  5. Oct 14

    Sean Gardner on Turning “Just Looking” Into a Sale

    Sean Gardner, Instructor and Sales Trainer at the Joe Verde Group, joins Inside Automotive to explain how dealerships can turn “just looking” shoppers into buyers. With customers visiting fewer dealerships before making a purchase, Gardner emphasizes the importance of treating every showroom interaction as a sales opportunity and following a consistent process from the first conversation through the vehicle demonstration and close. Why “just looking” can signal a serious buying opportunityHow to build rapport and uncover customer needs without rushing the saleWhy a thorough vehicle presentation and demonstration matterHow to guide customers toward a decision while addressing questions and objectionsWhy ongoing sales training can improve performance and dealership grossHow dealers can generate more value from existing showroom trafficInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  6. Oct 13

    How Open Road Capital Helps Dealers Access Equity

    Tim Batchelor, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Open Road Capital, joins Inside Automotive to discuss how equity partnerships give dealership owners an alternative to selling their businesses outright. The model can help family-owned dealerships navigate succession challenges, provide liquidity to owners seeking financial diversification, and give established operators access to capital for acquisitions while preserving their role in the business. How partial equity sales can resolve family ownership and succession challengesWhy dealership owners may seek liquidity without giving up their business entirelyHow equity partnerships can help operators acquire additional dealershipsWays capital partners can help dealership managers become ownersHow OEM relationships and governance agreements shape partnershipsWhat the Herrin-Gear partnership reveals about succession and employee continuityInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  7. Oct 7

    Dave Mondragon on the Power of Dealer-Owned Purchasing

    Dave Mondragon, Founder and CEO of AutoTrust Dealer Alliance, joins Inside Automotive to explain how dealer-owned group purchasing can help franchise dealerships reduce operating costs while building long-term equity. By combining purchasing volume across hundreds of rooftops, AutoTrust aims to give independent dealer groups the negotiating power typically available to larger public groups and private equity-backed organizations. How pooled purchasing can reduce costs across software, parts, payment processing and other categoriesWhy a dealer-owned cooperative offers benefits beyond vendor discountsHow AutoTrust members build equity while retaining control of their individual dealershipsThe potential savings from reducing addressable operating expensesHow lending programs can create additional value for participating dealersWhy a growing network increases collective purchasing powerInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

  8. Oct 2

    Remembering Jim O’Connor With Chris Saraceno and David Kain

    Chris Saraceno of Kelly Automotive Group and David Kain of Kain Advisory join Inside Automotive to remember former Ford executive Jim O’Connor, who died Sept. 25 at age 83. After more than four decades at Ford, O’Connor became known for his close relationships with dealers, shaped in part by his experience running a dealership himself. How O’Connor’s time as a dealership general manager shaped his approach to retailWhy dealers developed such a strong connection with O’ConnorHis role in navigating major changes within Ford’s retail strategyThe leadership lessons O’Connor shared with dealers and employeesHow he remained involved with Kelly Automotive Group after retiring from FordO’Connor’s contributions to FordDirect and Ford’s digital initiativesInside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick is powered by CBT News, your go-to source for the latest news, trends, and insights in retail automotive. Subscribe for more interviews with top industry leaders, dealership innovators, and experts shaping the future of automotive. For more content, visit CBTNews.com and follow us on your favorite podcast platform.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Inside Automotive is a groundbreaking show that offers a captivating blend of dealership news, automotive retailing best practices, and cutting-edge industry insights from top executives and analysts. Featuring trailblazing industry insiders, this show offers a comprehensive look into the latest happenings within dealerships, highlighting key trends and developments. Through interviews with successful dealers, expert analysis, and practical advice, viewers gain valuable knowledge on implementing effective strategies, improving operations, and navigating the ever-changing automotive landscape. For more like this visit us at CBTNews.com.

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