Dive into the complete episode list for CBT Live. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
How One Hyundai Store Sold 606 Vehicles In September (10.13.26)
13 Oct 2026
00:42:59
Affordability shifts buyers toward hybrids and older used vehicles, U.S. EV sales rebound and Stellantis reports lower North American shipments, plus Parth Donda on the processes behind a 606-vehicle month and Christopher Hunsicker on what the Porsche dealer lawsuit means for franchise dealers.
Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Parth Donda, Store Manager at Hyundai of New Port Richey, and Christopher Hunsicker, author of Unstoppable Culture and President of Hunsicker Coaching International.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Affordability pressure is shifting demand toward hybrids and older used vehicles. Personal expenses have risen faster than incomes since the pandemic, while prices for eight- to 10-year-old vehicles have increased nearly 10% year over year.
U.S. EV sales rose 7.7% from the second quarter to 266,630 vehicles. EVs captured 6.5% of new-vehicle sales as Toyota, Lexus, Rivian and Subaru recorded gains.
Stellantis’ worldwide shipments slipped 1% in the third quarter to approximately 1.3 million vehicles. North American shipments fell 12%, while CEO Antonio Filosa rejected the idea of separating the company’s European and U.S. brands.
GUESTS
Parth Donda, Store Manager, Hyundai of New Port Richey. The people, processes and execution behind the dealership’s 606-vehicle September.
Christopher Hunsicker, author, Unstoppable Culture, and President, Hunsicker Coaching International. What the Porsche dealer lawsuit reveals about allocation, facility requirements and protecting dealership interests.
Is Mindset Holding Your Store Back? Winning Today's Car Buyers (10.12.26)
12 Oct 2026
00:46:13
Hurricane Isaias recovery and Volkswagen Group's 14.3% delivery drop, plus Marsh Buice on the leadership mindset it takes to keep moving through challenges and Matt Easton on connecting with today's car buyers.
Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Marsh Buice, General Sales Manager at Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep and host of the What's Your Problem? podcast, and Matt Easton, founder of Easton University Sales Coaching. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Hurricane Isaias came ashore near Destin, Florida, Friday night as a Category 2 storm, and communities across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama are now cleaning up and working to restore power.
Volkswagen Group's worldwide deliveries fell 14.3% in the third quarter to about 1.89 million vehicles, with China down 38.5% and North America down 5.8%. Those are Group-wide figures, not the Volkswagen brand alone.
GUESTS
Marsh Buice, General Sales Manager, Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep, and host of the What's Your Problem? podcast. The mindset it takes to lead a dealership through challenges and keep moving forward.
Matt Easton, founder, Easton University Sales Coaching. What it takes to connect with today's car buyers and earn their business.
Can Chinese Carmakers Break Into the U.S.? Porsche Slides, Kain Ford Sold (10.09.26)
09 Oct 2026
00:46:00
Porsche deliveries fall 16%, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows cost-of-living strain, and Michael Dunne on Chinese automakers in the U.S.
Bridget Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, and Bob Kain, formerly President of Jack Kain Ford. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Porsche delivered 178,532 vehicles worldwide in the first nine months of 2026, down 16%, with China down 33% and U.S. retail deliveries down about 14% to 49,038, while 911 deliveries rose 12%.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 4,506 U.S. adults finds Americans deeply concerned about rising living costs, with more than half saying their cost of living has risen substantially over the past year.
Yesterday on CBT Live: Adam Marburger on F&I and fixed ops as front-end margins stay under pressure, and Car Guy Coffee's Lou Ramirez and Fred Lennartz on dealership culture and leadership.
GUESTS
Michael Dunne, CEO, Dunne Insights. His response to the concern over Chinese vehicles in America: lessons from Europe, the potential impact on U.S. automakers and dealers, and what happens if Chinese brands get a foothold. His book, How China Seized the Auto Industry and How America Wins It Back, is due in 2027.
Bob Kain, formerly President of Jack Kain Ford. The sale of the dealership after 66 years, now O'Brien Ford of Versailles, his father Jack's legacy, and the people who made it what it was.
Are Dealers Investing More in AI Than People? Car Guy Coffee, Marburger on F&I (10.08.26)
08 Oct 2026
00:50:42
Car Guy Coffee's Fred Lennartz and Lou Ramirez on developing dealership people, and Adam Marburger on F&I and building stronger teams.
Jim Fitzpatrick and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Fred Lennartz and Lou Ramirez of Car Guy Coffee and Certified Solutionaries, and Adam Marburger, President and CEO of Ascent Dealer Services and host of Training Camp on CBT News.
GUESTS
Fred Lennartz and Lou Ramirez, Car Guy Coffee and Certified Solutionaries. How two friends built a podcast brand around encouraging people in the car business, and the dealer training they run through Certified Solutionaries.
Adam Marburger, President and CEO, Ascent Dealer Services, and host of Training Camp. Nearly two decades in dealerships before starting Ascent: what dealers are telling him now, how the F&I experience can improve, and how to develop a team.
Will AI Replace Dealership Staff? California CARS Act, FTC Drops Asbury (10.07.26)
07 Oct 2026
00:54:39
AI is rearranging dealership jobs, the California CARS Act is now in effect, and the FTC has dropped its case against Asbury Automotive.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Todd Smith, CEO of Qore AI, and Brian Maas, President of the California New Car Dealers Association.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The FTC dismissed its administrative complaint against Asbury Automotive Group and three Texas dealerships without ruling on the allegations, and says it is not backing away from enforcement on dealership pricing and transparency.
IONNA plans to offer EV and charging education at several hundred dealerships starting in early 2027, with 191 active charging locations as of early October, up from about 90 in January.
Tomorrow on CBT Live: Adam Marburger joins in the studio, plus Lou and Fred from Car Guy Coffee. Send your questions to LIVE@CBTNEWS.COM.
GUESTS
Todd Smith, CEO, Qore AI. How AI rearranges dealership jobs, from pay plans to who owns the dealership's operational record.
Brian Maas, President, California New Car Dealers Association. What changed when the California CARS Act took effect October 1, what dealers should do differently, and a look back at the CNCDA convention.
20% of Financed Buyers Pay What? Plus Dealer AI, Carvana-Stellantis (10.06.26)
06 Oct 2026
00:50:13
One in five financed new-car buyers now pays $1,000 or more a month, plus a dealer who built his own AI tools and what Carvana's Stellantis relationship means for franchised dealers.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick talk with Mike Yates of BMW of Bridgewater and Len Bellavia of Bellavia Cohen P.C.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
New-car buyers financed a record $44,664 on average in Q3, with a record $787 monthly payment, per Edmunds.
Automakers have canceled, delayed or paused nearly 20 EVs in 2026, per Business Insider, as they shift to EVs they believe compete on price, range and profitability.
Brand loyalty rose to 50.2% from 49% last year, per J.D. Power.
CDK's Ease of Purchase score fell to 79% in September, and 49% of buyers visited two dealerships, up from 37% in August.
GUESTS
Mike Yates, General Manager, BMW of Bridgewater. After 30 years in auto retail, he is building AI tools inside his dealership and talks about where AI gives employees time back.
Len Bellavia, Founding Partner, Bellavia Cohen P.C. He breaks down the Carvana-Stellantis relationship and the legal questions it raises for franchised dealers.
How Good Dealers Fall Out of Compliance, Tom Wood U, Valuations (10.05.26)
05 Oct 2026
00:45:35
How good dealers drift out of compliance, what Tom Wood University has built, and record dealership valuations.
Jim Fitzpatrick and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Vince Melkumyan, Founder of Auto AI Radar, Sam Weaver, Vice President and Partner of Chevy Chase Automotive and Chairman of the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association, and Bill Demaree, Group Director of Fixed Operations at Tom Wood Group.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Dealership valuations remain at an all-time high, Dave Cantin of Dave Cantin Group said on Inside M&A, as buyers keep pursuing strong stores and more owners weigh a sale without a successor.
Rivian delivered 19,248 vehicles in Q3, up 46% and above the roughly 18,000 Wall Street expected, while Tesla delivered 486,532 globally, down 2% but ahead of the roughly 461,000 analysts expected.
Ford's Q3 U.S. sales fell 6.6% to 509,764, but excluding the Escape and Lincoln Corsair phaseout Ford estimates its retail share rose 0.4 points to 12.1%.
CBT News is partnering with Cherokee Media Group for Used Car Week, November 16 through 19 in San Diego.
GUESTS
Vince Melkumyan, Founder, Auto AI Radar, and Sam Weaver, Vice President and Partner, Chevy Chase Automotive, and Chairman, Maryland Automobile Dealers Association. How technology helps dealers find compliance issues, and where dealers are most vulnerable from the dealer's side of the desk.
Bill Demaree, Group Director of Fixed Operations, Tom Wood Group. An update on Tom Wood University, including a new standalone facility expected to be complete this month, plus his service advisor and service manager handbooks and a new book in the works.
What Is Carvana Getting Right? Real AI Adoption, GM vs. Toyota (10.02.26)
02 Oct 2026
00:50:06
Peter Cooper on what dealers can learn from Carvana, Jen Suzuki on what real AI adoption looks like inside a store, and GM holds off Toyota in Q3 sales.
Jim Fitzpatrick and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Peter Cooper, President of Lexus of Lehigh Valley, and Jen Suzuki, Founder & CEO of ZukiTalk and President of eDealer Solutions.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
GM sold 670,974 vehicles in Q3, down 5.5%, and stays the top U.S. seller, while Toyota sold 633,223, up 0.6%, leaving it 37,751 behind GM for the quarter.
Honda sold 392,341 vehicles in Q3, up 9.3%, its best third quarter since 2019, while Stellantis sold 324,277, roughly even with a year ago.
Buyers are looking at sedans and smaller SUVs again: Honda passenger cars rose 18.4% in Q3 and Hyundai Elantra sales rose 18%, while the Tahoe, Suburban and Jeep Grand Cherokee lost ground.
AutoNation named Ravi Simhambhatla Chief Technology and AI Officer, effective October 1.
Lithia sold Audi Downtown LA and Volkswagen of Downtown LA to Grace Motorcars LLC. The deal closed September 28 and was announced October 1.
GUESTS
Peter Cooper, President, Lexus of Lehigh Valley. What Carvana changed about consumer expectations for convenience, transparency and speed, and where traditional dealers still have the edge.
Jen Suzuki, Founder & CEO, ZukiTalk, and President, eDealer Solutions. What real AI adoption looks like inside a dealership and how to get your people on board.
Senator Bernie Moreno gives exclusive update on Connected Vehicle Security Act (10.01.26)
01 Oct 2026
00:37:25
Sen. Bernie Moreno on where the Connected Vehicle Security Act stands in Washington and what the auto industry needs to know right now.
Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Ashby Lincoln, filling in for Bridget Fitzpatrick, and Sen. Bernie Moreno. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
GUESTS
Sen. Bernie Moreno. Where the Connected Vehicle Security Act stands in the Senate and House, and the milestones dealers should watch between now and the end of the year.
Consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2014, Sen. Bernie Moreno says Mercedes-Benz will not be banned under the Chinese vehicle bill, plus ADP hiring, inflation and Walser's largest acquisition.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Mike Gilson, CEO of Conversica, and Dave Anderson, President of LearnToLead.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Sen. Bernie Moreno told Reuters lawmakers are not going to ban Mercedes-Benz vehicles under a bill that would bar sales by automakers with more than 15% Chinese ownership, though Mercedes sits near 20% and a solution has not been finalized.
The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell to 81.9 in September from 88.6 in August, its lowest reading since April 2014, according to Reuters.
ADP reports private employers added 90,000 jobs in September, up from a revised 36,000 in August, while the latest inflation report showed prices up 3.4% over the past year, below economists' expectations.
Walser Automotive Group has acquired Metropolitan Ford and Suburban Chevrolet in Eden Prairie and Freeway Ford in Bloomington, Minnesota from Metropolitan Corp., its largest acquisition in company history.
GUESTS
Mike Gilson, CEO, Conversica. How Ignite turns fragmented dealership data into revenue opportunities, including lease maturity, lapsed service and declined service.
Dave Anderson, President, LearnToLead. The Q4 mindset, and how dealer leaders respond to the pressure of the final quarter.
How Houston's No. 1 Chevy Store Uses AI, Fixed Ops, CarMax Up 13.8% (09.29.26)
29 Sep 2026
00:48:12
Antione Burks of Mac Haik Chevrolet on keeping Houston's No. 1 volume Chevy store on top and where AI fits, Lee Harkins of M5 Management Services on fixed ops, plus dealers waiting longer for fresh models, CarMax's volume versus gross tradeoff and a smaller Chevrolet Bolt run.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Antione Burks, General Manager of Mac Haik Chevrolet in Houston, and Lee Harkins, President & CEO of M5 Management Services. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The Wall Street Journal reports dealers are feeling fewer redesigns, with analyst John Murphy projecting automakers will redesign an average of 9% of their lineups across the 2026 through 2028 model years, against a 20-year average of 14%.
CarMax retail used unit sales rose 13.8% to 227,391 in its fiscal second quarter, while retail used gross profit fell $111 to $2,105 per unit.
On Training Camp, Rob Ruth of Bob Ruth Ford tells Adam Marburger how his used car buying center helped one store grow from about 200 sales a month to the mid-400s.
Reuters reports GM is building far fewer Chevrolet Bolts at its Fairfax plant than planned, with the local union president estimating about 35,000 against an earlier projection of about 150,000. GM has not confirmed those figures.
GUESTS
Antione Burks, General Manager, Mac Haik Chevrolet. The store is Houston's No. 1 volume Chevrolet dealer and a 21-time Chevrolet Dealer of the Year. What he is seeing from customers, and how he uses AI while keeping the store human-first.
Lee Harkins, President & CEO, M5 Management Services. The two numbers he says show what is really happening in the service drive: additional sales request (ASR) closing percentage and the parts-to-labor ratio.
What's Really Happening With Used Car Sales? The Good GM, Oil Tops $107 (09.28.26)
28 Sep 2026
00:34:45
Derek Hansen of Cox Automotive on what's really happening with used car sales and inventory heading into Q4, plus JC Prats, The Good GM, on how he uses social media to reach customers.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by JC Prats, Executive General Manager at Starling Automotive, known as The Good GM, and Derek Hansen, Senior Vice President of Dealer, Lender and Inventory Management Solutions at Cox Automotive. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
We also remember longtime Ford executive Jim O'Connor, who died September 25 at 83.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier told CNBC that competing with Chinese automakers is "a hell of a challenge," calling their government-supported pricing "all dumping."
Oil prices rose Monday after President Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude above $107 a barrel and WTI above $94.
Jim O'Connor spent more than 40 years at Ford, serving as president of Ford of Canada, Lincoln Mercury and Ford Division before retiring in 2004 as group vice president of North American Marketing, Sales and Service.
GUESTS
JC Prats, Executive General Manager, Starling Automotive, known as The Good GM. How he uses social media to connect with customers, build his brand and bring his team into the conversation.
Derek Hansen, Senior Vice President of Dealer, Lender and Inventory Management Solutions, Cox Automotive. The state of used car sales and inventory heading into Q4, and how affordability is changing what dealers should stock.
Washington's Mixed Signals on Chinese Cars, Stellantis MAAP, $24,595 Impreza (09.25.26)
25 Sep 2026
00:37:11
Washington is sending dealers mixed signals on Chinese automakers as Trump and Xi extend their trade truce, plus a Stellantis dealer on MAAP pricing and Subaru's $24,595 Impreza.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Bill Zadeits, President of Cherokee Media Group and Conference Chair of Used Car Week, and Phil Pecoraro, Operating Partner and Owner-Operator of Murdock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Bountiful, Utah. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the White House Thursday, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the two countries agreed to extend their trade truce by two months. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin delayed their push for quick Senate passage of a bill that would make restrictions on Chinese vehicles and connected vehicle technology permanent.
Subaru is bringing back a lower-priced base trim for the 2027 Impreza at $24,595 MSRP, $2,000 below the 2026 entry price, or $25,840 with destination.
Cox Automotive forecasts Ford's U.S. market share at 12.5% and GM's at 16.7% through the first three quarters of 2026, the largest share losses among the automakers it tracks.
Tesla says it is beginning Semi deliveries to a first group of customers, with its long range version rated at 500 miles loaded on a charge.
Nashville marks today, 9/25, as Dolly Day, a nod to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, with events and donations supporting causes including her Imagination Library.
GUESTS
Bill Zadeits, President, Cherokee Media Group, and Conference Chair, Used Car Week. Used Car Week brings dealers and industry leaders to San Diego November 16-19, and CBT News will be there through its partnership with Cherokee Media Group.
Phil Pecoraro, Operating Partner and Owner-Operator, Murdock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Bountiful. What he's seeing from Stellantis and his take on the new MAAP pricing, which sets a floor for the prices and discounts dealers can advertise.
Detroit 3 Headed for Record-Low U.S. Share, Chinese Brands, Scout Fight (09.24.26)
25 Sep 2026
00:55:33
Cox Automotive expects the Detroit 3 to finish the quarter at their lowest U.S. market share on record, dealers are watching whether Trump and Xi change anything for Chinese brands, and the chairman of the VW National Dealer Council on Scout Motors and VW's new plan.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Fred Emich, Managing Partner of Emich Automotive and Chairman of the VW National Dealer Council, and Joe Laham, President of Premier Companies.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Honda is in the final stages of planning a hybrid plant in Ohio that could cost as much as $2.5 billion, with production expected to begin in 2030, according to a Nikkei report. Honda has not announced the plant.
A newly published survey of automaker CEO pay raises the question of what results automakers should reward when they set leadership compensation.
Bentley unveiled the Torcal, its first fully electric vehicle, in London on Wednesday.
President Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping today, after NADA and other auto trade groups urged him to keep restrictions on Chinese automakers in place.
Cox Automotive raised its 2026 new-vehicle sales forecast to 16.1 million from 15.8 million, and expects Detroit 3 brands to finish the third quarter at just over 36% market share, the lowest on record.
GUESTS
Fred Emich, Managing Partner, Emich Automotive, and Chairman of the VW National Dealer Council. What VW dealers are telling the automaker they need, VW's new North America leadership and strategy, Scout Motors and the franchise model, and whether Colorado's state incentives are moving EV demand.
Joe Laham, President, Premier Companies. What Stellantis' new pricing and digital advertising rules mean for its dealers starting October 1, and what the FTC's new price transparency guidance means for dealer advertising.
Are Dealers Losing the Middle-Income Buyer? AI Car Deals, Fed Hike (09.23.26)
23 Sep 2026
00:38:58
Households earning more than $150,000 now account for 43% of new car sales, what Mark Miller Subaru has learned since the first AI agent-to-AI agent car deal, and what the Fed's first rate hike in three years means for dealers.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Chris Hudson, General Manager of Mark Miller Subaru, and Dan Varroney, Founder and CEO of Potomac Core. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Households earning more than $150,000 account for 43% of new car sales so far this year, up from 29% in 2020, while households earning less than $100,000 fell to 36% from 50%, according to Cox Automotive data.
Group 1 Automotive is adding Benjamin Hart, a member of the investment team at shareholder Conifer Management, to its board on November 1, according to an SEC filing.
GUESTS
Chris Hudson, General Manager, Mark Miller Subaru. What he has learned since the store's first AI agent-to-AI agent car deal in May, what is live inside the dealership today, and how much authority a dealer should give an AI agent.
Dan Varroney, Founder and CEO, Potomac Core. What the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in three years means for car buyers, dealers and the economy, and what dealers should plan for over the next six to twelve months.
BYD Blocked, Nasdaq Record, the Profits That Can Kill Your Dealership Sale (09.22.26)
22 Sep 2026
00:39:15
27 House Democrats urge President Trump to keep Chinese automakers out of the U.S., why a compliance problem can cut what a dealership is worth, and a look at the good news in the economy.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Christopher Singleton, Managing Partner of Mike Terry Chevrolet, and David J. Long, President of David J. Long Coaching and author of Step Zero. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
27 Democratic lawmakers, led by Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, are urging President Trump to keep current restrictions on Chinese vehicles and connected-vehicle technology ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (Reuters).
Dave Cantin of the Dave Cantin Group and Seth Dobbs of Fox Rothschild explain why compliance, reputation and clean profits can raise or lower what a buyer will pay for a dealership.
The Nasdaq closed at a record Monday, initial jobless claims fell to 196,000, their lowest since mid-July, and single-family housing starts rose 7.6% in August.
CBT News is partnering with Cherokee Media Group to bring CBT Live to Used Car Week 2026, November 16 to 19 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.
GUESTS
Christopher Singleton, Managing Partner, Mike Terry Chevrolet. The service metrics and KPIs that separate high-performing dealerships, customer retention and why fixed ops matters more when the market gets tougher.
David J. Long, President, David J. Long Coaching. His new book, Step Zero, out September 28, and why success starts with attitude and approach before any process.
The 2% Fee That Cost a Dealer Group $1.9M, Stellantis Caps Ad Prices (09.21.26)
21 Sep 2026
00:49:51
A 2% sales commission cost a luxury dealer group $1.9 million, Stellantis limits how low its dealers can advertise, and Kerrigan Advisors reads the Q2 buy-sell market.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Paul J. Daly, Founder and CEO of ASOTU, Kyle Mountsier, Partner and COO of ASOTU, and Erin Kerrigan, Founder and Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Two DARCARS stores in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., will pay at least $1.9 million to settle allegations over a 2% sales commission and a $2,495 F&I package. DARCARS neither admitted nor denied the allegations. (New York Attorney General)
Stellantis is introducing a minimum advertised pricing policy. Dealers can still sell below it, they just cannot advertise the lower price. (The Wall Street Journal)
Toyota estimates robotics and automation could cost about $6.4 billion a year starting in 2028, with roughly 400,000 robots across Toyota, its group companies and major suppliers. (Reuters)
David Spisak, CEO of Disruptive Growth Solutions, warns dealers against buying AI tools without a clear problem to solve, an employee AI policy and a vendor review.
GUESTS
Paul J. Daly, Founder and CEO, and Kyle Mountsier, Partner and COO, ASOTU. ASOTU CON West brings 200 dealers to Los Angeles for one day on November 18, with no expo hall.
Erin Kerrigan, Founder and Managing Director, Kerrigan Advisors. The second-quarter Blue Sky Report and what is driving the dealership buy-sell market.
Hyundai CEO's China Warning, NJ Allows Off-Site Service, Toyota's David Christ (09.18.26)
18 Sep 2026
00:57:02
Hyundai's CEO warns Chinese automakers could gain ground in the U.S., New Jersey lets dealers run service away from the showroom, and Toyota's David Christ on hybrids and inventory.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Michael and Sefi Lucki, Co-Owners of Lucki Mazda of Woodbridge, and Seth Dobbs, Chair of the Automotive Practice at Fox Rothschild. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Hyundai Motor CEO José Muñoz says Chinese automakers could make significant inroads in the U.S. if current tariffs and trade restrictions are removed, pointing to their fast expansion in Europe (Reuters).
Toyota's David Christ, Group Vice President and General Manager of the Toyota Division, talks tight inventory, strong hybrid demand, affordability and the role of Toyota dealers in the brand's multi-pathway strategy.
GUESTS
Michael and Sefi Lucki, Co-Owners, Lucki Mazda of Woodbridge. The husband-and-wife team on opening their new store, why they chose Mazda and how they divide the work.
Seth Dobbs, Chair of the Automotive Practice, Fox Rothschild. New Jersey now allows franchised dealers to operate service facilities separate from their showrooms, and what that means for dealer real estate and service capacity.
DEALER OF THE WEEK
Morris Ford in Burnt Hills, New York, serving its community since 1972 and named 2026 Dealer of the Year by Donate Life New York State and the New York State Automobile Dealers Association for its work encouraging organ, eye and tissue donor registration.
Fed Raises Rates, Toyota and the China Question, Tariff Fears Ease (09.17.26)
17 Sep 2026
00:42:05
The Fed's first rate hike since 2023, Toyota's 12-day supply and the China question, and why dealers are less worried about tariffs.
GUESTS
John Murphy, Founder and Managing Partner, Murphy Automotive Partners. What the Fed's first rate hike since 2023 means for retail vehicle sales.
Scott Falcone, Owner, World Auto Group. How the group builds and uses its own AI tools, from the sales floor to the back office, and how to measure the return.
Frank Eckert, Owner, Eckert Solutions Group. How dealers make the year-end push for manufacturer targets without creating habits that hurt them in January.
The FTC's new pricing FAQs for dealers, why GM dealers are missing the hybrid boom, and a preview of a new interview with Toyota's David Christ.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Glen Trafford, General Manager of Salmon Arm Toyota in British Columbia, and Kevin Roberts, Director of Economic and Market Intelligence at CarGurus. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
Diesel Above $6, 70% Service Retention, Lasco & Treviño (09.15.26)
15 Sep 2026
00:42:57
Diesel above $6 a gallon and what is driving oil prices, how The Niello Company keeps about 70 percent of its service customers, and a new interview with Ken Cook and Adam Marburger.
Bridget and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Jay Lasco, Dealer Partner of Lasco Ford and Dealer Principal of Grand Blanc Mitsubishi, and oil and gas expert Rey "R.T." Treviño III of Pecos Energy, host of The Crude Truth podcast. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Ken Cook and Adam Marburger on the issues dealers need to watch now, in a new CBT News interview. The Niello Company keeps about 70 percent of its service customers, with some stores at 75 percent. Fixed Ops Director Tully Williams puts retention first and lets profit follow.
GUESTS
Jay Lasco, Dealer Partner, Lasco Ford, and Dealer Principal, Grand Blanc Mitsubishi. Lasco Ford is top 10 nationally in Ford Blue Advantage volume, from a community of about 12,000 in Fenton, Michigan. Rey "R.T." Treviño III, oil and gas expert, Pecos Energy, and host of The Crude Truth podcast. What is happening in the oil market with diesel above $6 a gallon.
$10K Car-Loan Deduction, Trump Open to Chinese Plants, Tesla Takes 52% of EVs (09.14.26)
14 Sep 2026
00:45:18
The IRS finalizes a deduction of up to $10,000 a year in new-car loan interest, President Trump says Chinese automakers could build in the U.S. if they hire American workers, and Tesla takes 52% of the U.S. EV market.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick are joined by Jeremy Beaver, CEO of Del Grande Dealer Group, and Ed Garsten, Senior Contributor at Forbes.com. Weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The IRS finalized a rule letting eligible buyers deduct up to $10,000 a year in interest on loans for new, U.S.-assembled vehicles.
Used-vehicle listing prices averaged $27,239 in August, up 7% from a year ago and the highest since December 2022, according to Cox Automotive.
GM is developing next-generation battery cells to cut U.S. dependence on China as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticizes Ford's ties to CATL and Geely.
Tesla took 52% of the U.S. EV market through August, up from 43% a year earlier, even as its U.S. sales fell 16%.
President Trump said Chinese automakers could build vehicles in the U.S. if they open factories and hire American workers.
GUESTS
Jeremy Beaver, CEO, Del Grande Dealer Group. His read on the market across a broad mix of brands in Silicon Valley: EV demand since the tax incentives ended, Audi, Volkswagen and Scout, fixed ops, and acquisitions.
Ed Garsten, Senior Contributor, Forbes.com. How Canada's tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods are freezing automaker and supplier investment, and why charging still holds back EV buyers even as the HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 finds 53% of U.S. drivers more open to one.
Mexico Tariff Talks, Ford Defends Its China Ties, Copart to Buy ACV (09.11.26)
11 Sep 2026
00:55:32
A U.S.-Mexico tariff deal within reach, Ford answering Washington on China, and Copart's $1.9 billion deal for ACV Auctions.
Bridget and Jim Fitzpatrick are joined by Adrian Gonzalez, General Manager of Payne Edinburg CDJR, and Greg Uland, Vice President of Marketing at Reynolds and Reynolds.
Today marks 25 years since September 11. Jim and Bridget open the show with how dealers responded in 2001, including the van Georgia dealers provided for the family of FDNY firefighter Frank Palombo.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Copart agrees to buy ACV Auctions for about $1.9 billion, $10.50 a share and a 45 percent premium.
The U.S. and Mexico race toward an interim trade deal that could cut the 25 percent auto tariff to 15 percent.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa says the auto world is splitting in two: the United States, and everywhere else.
Ford defends its Chinese partnerships as Washington sends mixed signals on where the line should be.
GUESTS
Adrian Gonzalez (@adrianthecarguy), General Manager, Payne Edinburg CDJR.
Greg Uland, Vice President of Marketing, Reynolds and Reynolds. What dealers said at Amplify 2026.
DEALER OF THE WEEK Fred Beans Automotive Group, 30 dealerships and 20 brands across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Ford's China Ties, Carvana's Reach, and Record M&A (09.09.26)
09 Sep 2026
00:52:33
On today's CBT Live, Jim and Bridget cover the Transportation Department's letter to Ford over its China ties, wholesale used-vehicle pricing trends, and GM's expanded in-car security cameras. Then Vince Melkumyan, Founder of Auto AI Radar, joins to talk about FTC compliance monitoring for dealers following the agency's March letters to 97 dealer groups. Later, Don Hall, President and CEO of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, discusses Carvana's franchise dealership strategy and three decades of perspective on manufacturer-dealer relations.
On today's CBT Live, Jim and Bridget cover Canada's retaliatory tariffs, JLR's plan to cut 4,000 jobs, and Volkswagen's sale of a German factory for defense production. Then David Wyler, CEO of the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, joins to talk about "firing" his managers and bringing them back as coaches, plus a new partnership with the University of Cincinnati. Later, Fernando Varela, President and CEO of All Star Auto Group, discusses his continued expansion across Texas and Oklahoma and succession planning.
Kia's Eric Watson, Lauren Fix, and a Chinese EV Ban? (09.04.26)
04 Sep 2026
00:39:52
On today's CBT Live, Jim and Bridget cover the industry's push to permanently block Chinese vehicles from the U.S. market, Ford's new EV built in China for export, and rising test-drive activity at dealerships. Then Eric Watson, Kia America's Vice President of Sales Operations, joins to break down the automaker's best sales month ever, nearly 84,000 vehicles in August. Later, Lauren Fix, founder of Car Coach Reports and co-host of The Drive with Lauren & Karl, talks about an unexpected data-privacy issue with her own vehicle and who really controls what a car collects.
1.6M Views on One Delivery, Mexico's Tariff Push, and Ford's Truck Rebound (09.03.26)
03 Sep 2026
00:45:39
On today's CBT Live, Jim and Bridget cover a dip in buyer purchase ease, Sonic's acquisition of Porsche Walnut Creek, and Mexico's push for tariff relief. Then Jimmy Anderson, General Manager of Porsche Virginia Beach, joins to talk about the viral delivery video that hit 1.6 million views and what it takes to impress today's luxury buyer. Later, Don Andres, Owner of Auto SCT Consulting & Training, discusses his CBT News article "Where Did All the Gravy Work Go?" and why a busy service department can still be losing money.
An FTC Warning, BYD Sales, and Kia Sets Sales Record (09.02.26)
02 Sep 2026
00:46:41
On today's CBT Live, Jim and Bridget cover the FTC's warning on fake dealership websites, Hyundai's push to take Amazon Autos international, and Volvo's sales slide. Then John Murphy, Founder and Managing Partner of Murphy Automotive Partners, joins to break down his first independent forecast, including a coming product drought, the "EV head fake," and a market turning into a barbell. Later, Joe Laham, President of Premier Companies, talks running dealerships across both Audi and Stellantis and what each brand needs to do to compete.
Fuel Rules, VW's Reset, and Skipped Maintenance (09.01.26)
01 Sep 2026
00:42:07
On today's CBT Live, Jim and Bridget cover the Trump administration's fuel-economy rollback, Hyundai's four-year sales low after strikes in South Korea, and new data on dealership employee turnover. Then Cody Lusk, President & CEO of AIADA, joins to discuss the Connected Vehicle Security Act and the fight over Chinese vehicles in the U.S. Later, Andy Guelcher, Owner & Dealer Principal of Mohawk Chevrolet and Cadillac of Englewood Cliffs, talks back-to-back Chevrolet Dealer of the Year wins and rebuilding a Cadillac store out of bankruptcy.
$20M GM Lawsuit, Toyota Tariffs, and Tech Loyalty (08.31.26)
31 Aug 2026
00:45:50
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick cover a $20M lawsuit against GM, Toyota and Honda's exposure to Canadian tariffs, a study on tech and brand loyalty, and Honda-Nissan's renewed tech partnership. Plus: Michael Gaiter (Hoover Volkswagen Lithia Springs) on AI and the future of the GM role, and Jason Becknell (CBT News) on the Slate Truck vs. Ford Fathom affordable EV pickup race.
Canada vs. Trump, Toyota Dips, and Driver Cameras (08.28.26)
28 Aug 2026
00:50:23
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick cover U.S.-Canada tariff talks, Toyota's July sales dip, new drowsy-driving camera research from NHTSA, rising gas prices, and a viral robot world-record clip. Plus: Bradley Hoffman (Hoffman Auto Group) on his family dealership's expansion into Vermont, and John Fitzpatrick (Force Marketing) on dealer marketing trends, AI, and the Labor Day push.
Chinese Cars, Hybrids, and The Dealer of 2050 (08.27.26)
27 Aug 2026
00:41:40
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick cover a new report on Americans' openness to Chinese-made vehicles, Hyundai's hybrid push, a 2050 outlook on dealership ownership, and the Flock Safety data privacy debate. Plus: Rhett Ricart (Ricart Automotive) on his Ford Lifetime Achievement Award, NADA, and affordability, and Shannon Robertson (AFIP) on the FTC's latest moves and what they mean for dealers.
Canada hits back, Honda, and AI Warnings (08.26.26)
26 Aug 2026
00:46:31
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick cover Canada's retaliatory tariffs, Honda's potential new U.S. plant, a sixth straight month above 16 million SAAR, the China-built Lincoln Corsair, and Bill Gates on AI and the future of work. Plus: Mike Maroone (Maroone USA) on affordability, EVs, and Carvana, and Leigh Ann Converse (CDK) on turning dealership data into results with AI.
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick cover new 50% tariff threats on Canadian autos, Toyota's push toward the U.S. sales crown, a generational shift among dealership owners, and a JD Power study on vehicle tech overload. Plus: Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb on the economy and car buyer trends, and Rohrman Automotive Group CEO Ryan Rohrman on customer data, Amazon Autos, and the modern dealership experience.
Canada, FTC, SAAR, and Bridget is back! (08.24.26)
25 Aug 2026
00:47:02
Jim and Bridget Fitzpatrick launch CBT Live with a look at the week's top dealer news, US-Canada trade talks collapsing, a $4M FTC settlement against a Nissan dealer, and strong August sales and buy-sell numbers. Plus: Tully Williams (Nilo Company) on hitting 70% service retention, and Steve Greenfield (Automotive Ventures) on where AI takes the dealership next.