CBT Live

CBT News
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CBT Live is CBT News' daily show for auto dealers who want to stay ahead of the industry, not just react to it. Airing weekdays at noon ET, hosts talk with dealer principals, OEM leaders, and industry experts about the trends, numbers, and decisions moving the car business right now.

  1. 20h ago

    Audi Plans First U.S. Plant in Georgia, Scout Ruling, Dealer Data, Spisak (10.26.26)

    Audi plans its first U.S. plant in Georgia, a federal judge keeps California dealers' Scout lawsuit alive and Len Bellavia breaks down the ruling, plus April Ancira on dealer data and David Spisak previewing his new CBT News show. Bridget and Jim Fitzpatrick talk with Len Bellavia, Founding Partner of Bellavia Cohen P.C., April Ancira, Vice President of Ancira Auto Group, and David Spisak, President and CEO of Disruptive Growth Solutions. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET. TODAY'S HEADLINES Audi plans its first U.S. production site near Macon, Georgia, with about $4 billion in planned investment, about 4,500 jobs and capacity for up to 200,000 vehicles a year, still subject to Volkswagen supervisory board approval.A federal judge in California denied the latest motions from Volkswagen Group of America and Scout Motors to end the California New Car Dealers Association's lawsuit, so the remaining claims move into discovery.Cox Automotive's Q2 2026 AI in Auto Retail Tracker found 63% of shoppers would definitely or probably use AI for their next vehicle purchase, while 29% of dealers had started adjusting for AI search. GUESTS Len Bellavia, Founding Partner, Bellavia Cohen P.C. What the California federal court's rejection of the Volkswagen and Scout Motors bids to end the CNCDA lawsuit means for dealers.April Ancira, Vice President, Ancira Auto Group. Why having the right information in one place matters more than ever, from connecting data to getting more out of the tools dealers already pay for.David Spisak, President and CEO, Disruptive Growth Solutions, and host of The David Spisak Show. A first look at his new show coming to CBT News and what dealers can expect from it. GET THE NEWSLETTER https://www.cbtnews.com/newsletter-si... THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Thank you to Auto AI Radar for supporting CBT Live. https://radar.autoai.inc/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bellavia Cohen P.C.: https://www.bellaviacohen.com/ Ancira Auto Group: https://www.ancira.com/ Disruptive Growth Solutions: https://www.disruptivegrowthsolutions... Audi's announcement: https://www.audi.com/en/press-release... CNCDA on the Scout ruling: https://www.cncda.org/news/federal-co... Is your dealership discoverable?: https://www.cbtnews.com/is-your-deale... Cox Automotive AI in Auto Retail Tracker: https://www.coxautoinc.com/retail/ai-... CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  2. 3d ago

    Car Payments Head for an October Record, Mobile Service, Back to the Floor (10.23.26)

    October car payments are forecast to hit a record $823, Tesla targets Cybercab deliveries by year end, and Ben Affleck directs Ford's new Raptor campaign. Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Jeremy Stephens, remote operations director at Bozard Ford Lincoln, and Raul Tomsa, client advisor at Motor Werks in Barrington, Illinois. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET. TODAY'S HEADLINES J.D. Power and GlobalData forecast an average October finance payment of $823, the highest on record for the month, even as the average transaction price eases to a projected $46,329 and loan rates reach 6.81%.Tesla says it aims to begin Cybercab customer deliveries before the end of 2026, while Reuters reports NHTSA is examining how Tesla determined the two-seat vehicle meets federal safety standards.Ford's Raptor Origin Story campaign, directed by Ben Affleck and featuring Jon Bernthal alongside Ford engineers, tells how the truck went from Baja inspiration to a production model. MotorTrend reports the original project survived six cancellations before its 2008 debut. GUESTS Jeremy Stephens, remote operations director, Bozard Ford Lincoln. An update on the store's mobile service operation: what is working, the role of fleet, and how to make mobile service make financial sense.Raul Tomsa, client advisor, Motor Werks in Barrington, Illinois. Known as Vincierge on social media, he left more than a decade in management to go back to selling cars. DEALER OF THE WEEK Mercedes-Benz Country Hills held its eighth annual NICU Fashion Show Gala, clearing an 80-car showroom and raising more than $200,000. GET THE NEWSLETTER https://www.cbtnews.com/newsletter-si... THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Thank you to Joe Verde Group for supporting CBT Live. https://www.joeverde.com/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bozard Ford Lincoln: https://www.bozardford.com/ Mercedes-Benz Country Hills: https://www.mercedes-benz-countryhill... October payments forecast: https://www.cbtnews.com/new-vehicle-s... CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  3. 4d ago

    29% of Financed Trade-Ins Underwater, Baddie in a Benz Returns, GM Hybrids (10.22.26)

    Nearly 3 in 10 financed trade-ins on new-car deals are underwater, plus GM's hybrid plans and the return of Jeremy Raaymaker, the creator behind Baddie in a Benz. Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Jeremy Raaymaker, van and fleet specialist at Mercedes-Benz Country Hills. TODAY'S HEADLINES Edmunds says 29.1% of trade-ins with an outstanding loan applied to a new-vehicle purchase were underwater in the third quarter, up from 28.1% a year ago, with average negative equity reaching $7,107.GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed on the company's third-quarter earnings call that GM will offer hybrids in multiple segments where it already competes, without additional capital spending. GM has not named the models or the timing.GUESTS Jeremy Raaymaker, van and fleet specialist, Mercedes-Benz Country Hills. The creator behind the Baddie in a Benz videos is back on social media and has expanded into van and fleet sales and leasing.GET THE NEWSLETTER https://www.cbtnews.com/newsletter-si... THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Thank you to Joe Verde Group for supporting CBT Live. https://www.joeverde.com/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Mercedes-Benz Country Hills: https://www.mercedes-benz-countryhill... Negative equity rises to 29%: https://www.cbtnews.com/negative-equi... GM adds hybrids: https://www.cbtnews.com/general-motor... CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  4. 6d ago

    Where Is AI Actually Paying Off for Dealers? RAV4 Crunch, Fed Hike Seen (10.21.26)

    Where is AI actually paying off for dealers? Ben Sporn of VIP Auto Group joins us, plus Toyota's RAV4 shortage, a Reuters poll that sees a December Fed hike and NADA's second woman chairman. Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Ben Sporn, chief marketing officer of VIP Auto Group. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET. TODAY'S HEADLINES Toyota says dealers have just four days' worth of RAV4 inventory, against an industry average of 51 days, after North American production fell 30% through September while the plants retooled for the redesigned 2026 model.All 100 economists in a Reuters poll expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates in December, and 94 expect it to hold at next week's meeting, up from fewer than half who saw another hike this year just a month ago.NADA elected Sandy Fitzgerald Angello of Pohanka Automotive Group its 2027 chairman, the second woman to lead the association after Annette Sykora in 2008, with Jeff Weber elected vice chairman.GUESTS Ben Sporn, chief marketing officer, VIP Auto Group. How VIP replaced outside software costs with more than a dozen AI tools built in-house and tripled customer service ticket productivity in its e-commerce parts operation.THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Joe Verde Group: https://www.joeverde.com/ CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  5. Oct 20

    Who Takes Over When AI Hands Off Your Leads? GM Profit Jumps, Ford Recall (10.20.26)

    Who takes over when AI hands off your dealership's leads? Durran Cage of Cage Auto joins us in studio, plus GM's nearly 22% profit jump, Ford's recall of more than 102,000 trucks and two dealership deals. Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined in studio by Durran Cage, founder and owner of Cage Auto. TODAY'S HEADLINES GM brought in $50 billion in third-quarter revenue, and adjusted EBIT rose nearly 22% to $4.1 billion as a higher mix of large pickups helped results. GM narrowed its full-year adjusted profit forecast to $14.5 billion to $15.5 billion.Ford is recalling 102,159 trucks in the U.S. because the speedometer and tachometer can stick or move erratically. It covers certain 2025 and 2026 F-Series trucks, including Super Duty models and some 2026 F-150s, and dealers will replace the instrument cluster at no charge.Dobbs Family Automotive bought Fields Mazda and Fields Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Asheville, North Carolina, bringing it to 14 dealerships, and Spreen Automotive Group bought Volkswagen of Murrieta from Hendrick Automotive Group in a deal that closed October 19. GUESTS Durran Cage, founder and owner, Cage Auto. How dealers can align AI, BDC and sales teams so more leads turn into appointments that actually show. GET THE NEWSLETTER https://www.cbtnews.com/newsletter-si... THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Thank you to Joe Verde Group for supporting CBT Live. https://www.joeverde.com/ CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  6. Oct 19

    What's Keeping Dealers Up at Night? NYC Sues CarGurus, Tesla vs. Porsche (10.19.26)

    Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Matthew Groves, CEO of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, and Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst at iSeeCars. TODAY’S HEADLINES New York City alleges CarGurus violated consumer protection law more than 2,000 times by applying favorable deal ratings to listings with mandatory fees or other pricing conditions. CarGurus rejects the allegations and says it will defend itself.Used EV sales rose 21.2% year over year to an estimated 47,862 vehicles in September. Market share reached a record 3.3% as supply tightened to 35 days and the average listing price fell to $36,767.Slate Auto opened its first Experience Center in Chicago, where shoppers can explore and test-drive its electric pickup. The direct-sales startup plans to provide service through RepairPal’s independent repair network.Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Dejuan Ross discusses the brand’s 2027 growth plans, hybrid demand, affordability and opportunities for dealers across sales, service and certified preowned vehicles.GUESTS Matthew Groves, CEO, Colorado Automobile Dealers Association. The concerns shaping state dealer-association conversations, including affordability, regulation, manufacturer relationships and changing consumer demand.Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst, iSeeCars. What Tesla’s Roadster and Porsche’s Mission S reveal about competing performance strategies and the future of the sports-car market. This week's sponsor, Joe Verde Group: https://www.joeverde.com/ Get the newsletter: https://www.cbtnews.com/newsletter-si... #CBTLive #CarDealers #AutoRetail CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  7. Oct 16

    Are Headlights Too Bright? Penske Going Private, Tesla Roadster (10.16.26)

    Jason Becknell sits in for Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick and is joined by Lauren Fix, automotive expert, founder of Car Coach Reports and co-host of “The Drive with Lauren & Karl.”  TODAY’S HEADLINES Tesla unveiled its second-generation Roadster nearly nine years after its first reveal, with production targeted for 2028. The invite-only Rocket version is not approved for public roads, and reserving the Thrust version requires $250,000.Penske Automotive Group agreed to go private at an enterprise value of about $16.3 billion. Outside shareholders will receive $212 per share in cash, and Penske Corp. and Mitsui will own the company when the deal closes, expected in the first quarter of 2027.Slate Auto opened its first Slate Experience Center in Chicago, where shoppers can see its $24,950 electric pickup, explore options and take test drives. The truck is expected to go on sale by the end of 2026. Instead of running its own service centers, Slate will rely on independent shops vetted through RepairPal.GUESTS Lauren Fix, Automotive Expert, founder of Car Coach Reports and co-host of “The Drive with Lauren & Karl."GET THE NEWSLETTER https://www.cbtnews.com/newsletter-si... THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Thank you to Auto AI Radar for supporting CBT Live. https://radar.autoai.inc/ CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

  8. Oct 15

    What It Takes To Build Resilient Dealership Teams (10.15.26)

    Leading Through Uncertainty: How Business Owners Can Keep Teams Motivated and Finish Q4 Strong GUESTS Tyler Dickerhoof, Founder, Impact Driven LeaderTHIS WEEK'S SPONSOR Auto AI Radar: https://radar.autoai.inc/ CONNECT WITH CBT NEWS Website: www.cbtnews.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/carbiztoday/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarBizToday/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-news/posts/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carbiztoday X: https://x.com/CarBizToday

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About

CBT Live is CBT News' daily show for auto dealers who want to stay ahead of the industry, not just react to it. Airing weekdays at noon ET, hosts talk with dealer principals, OEM leaders, and industry experts about the trends, numbers, and decisions moving the car business right now.

Information

  • Creator
    CBT News
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 CBT Live
  • Show Website
    CBT Live