Join us in an enlightening conversation as we sit down with Chris Sutton, Vice President Retail at JD Power and Associates, to unravel insights from their comprehensive study involving 35,000 car buyers. Delve into the dynamics of the automotive industry, where constraints and high prices challenge buyers, yet improvements in the overall consumer experience continue to shine through.

Despite service appointment delays and the absence of loaners, consumers have reported incremental enhancements in their service interactions, showcasing a resilient and evolving landscape. The heart of positive sales and service experiences lies in the personal connections forged with salespeople and advisors, emphasizing the pivotal role of human touch in delivering a friendly and memorable customer journey.

In the quest to foster customer loyalty, retailers are recognizing the significance of building lasting relationships through meaningful interactions. Chris sheds light on the transformative impact of video inspections and MPI (Multi-Point Inspections) in building trust and confidence among customers, essential elements that drive business growth and enhance customer loyalty.

With over 30 years of industry benchmarking expertise, JD Power and Associates unveil key consumer preferences in dealership experiences, shedding light on the evolving landscape of digital retailing. While online transactions have gained traction, a significant percentage of customers still prefer a blend of online and in-store experiences, especially in the realm of EV (Electric Vehicle) purchases.

As customer expectations continue to rise, retailers are urged to streamline processes and reduce wait times to meet evolving demands. Discover how the automotive industry is adapting to the changing landscape of consumer preferences and digital advancements to enhance business performance and customer loyalty.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into consumer expectations, digital retailing trends, and the future of dealership experiences from the industry expert, Chris Sutton.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.

CallRevu.com is the leading automotive communications intelligence platform, offering call monitoring and call analysis, with technology optimized for sales, service (fixed ops) and marketing.

In this episode of Dealer Talk, we dive deep into mindset, leadership, and making bold decisions in business. I'm thrilled to sit down with my long-time friend and client, Inder Dosanjh, whose journey from technician to owning 17 car dealerships is nothing short of inspiring. We also welcome Munish Mahajan, Inder's co-founder, CEO & President, who brings a tech-forward, transformative approach to dealership operations.

We talk about:

• The mindset shifts that move you from "just a job" to building something bigger.
• The challenges of scaling a dealership business while keeping your team motivated and empowered.
• How data, AI, and smart processes can fill gaps in dealership operations.
• The power of complementary skill sets in partnerships and leadership.
• Real-life crossroads that define companies and leaders—and how to make bold decisions when the stakes are high.

Whether you're a dealership owner, GM, frontline manager, or part of a BDC team, this episode is packed with insights on growth, transformation, and taking action—even when it feels risky.

🎧 Listen now and hear how these two industry leaders connect the dots to create a game-changing blueprint for success.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com | Jen Suzuki, President and Founder of eDealer Solutions, Inc. | Dealership Education | www.edealersolutions.com | Meet me!bit.ly/3J7011t | Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki 🎧 https://apple.co/38lmHM1 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. NADA Show Booth #803 Autosled.com is the next-generation automotive transportation logistics platform and marketplace.

CallRevu.com is the leading automotive communications intelligence platform, offering call monitoring and call analysis, with technology optimized for sales, service (fixed ops) and marketing.

In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I've got Ryan Rohrman, CEO of Rohrman Automotive, to explore the intersection of legacy, leadership, and innovation in the automotive industry. Ryan shares how he honors the 60+ year foundation laid by his grandfather while steering a multi-dealership organization toward growth and relevance.

From creating memorable customer and employee experiences to embracing AI and technology without losing the human touch, Ryan discusses the principles that guide his team, including transparency, innovation, personal connection, and servant-mindedness. He also dives into the importance of change management, training, and gamification to keep employees engaged, reduce turnover, and foster a culture that’s ready to adapt to new challenges.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• Balancing legacy and modern leadership in family-owned dealerships
• Building a culture of human-first customer experience (CX)
• Integrating AI and automation while maintaining genuine human connections
• Training, gamification, and strategies for reducing turnover
• Preparing your team to embrace change and innovation

Whether you’re a dealership leader, automotive professional, or someone interested in effective leadership and customer experience, this conversation with Ryan Rohrman offers actionable strategies to drive relationships and deliver awesome experiences—every single time.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com | Jen Suzuki, President and Founder of eDealer Solutions, Inc. | Dealership Education | www.edealersolutions.com | Meet me!bit.ly/3J7011t | Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki 🎧 https://apple.co/38lmHM1 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. NADA Show Booth #803 Autosled.com is the next-generation automotive transportation logistics platform and marketplace.

CallRevu.com is the leading automotive communications intelligence platform, offering call monitoring and call analysis, with technology optimized for sales, service (fixed ops) and marketing.

This one's for the service team (but sales, you should listen too—because everybody's in sales).

In this kickoff to my new Service Team Series on Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I break down the Service Cheat Code: how preparation before the customer even shows up changes everything.

From reviewing history and declined work to checking recalls, parts, and notes, I share the exact steps that turn rushed, transactional check-ins into confident, relational experiences that win trust and drive approvals.

These are the same hacks I train advisors on in dealerships every single week—practical, now, and proven to increase income potential. This episode is your game plan for better connections, smoother days, and higher CSI scores.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast | 🎧 https://apple.co/38lmHM1 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t | Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

🔥Check out our sponsor!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.

First impressions are money in the service drive. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, we dig into the relational greeting — the difference between being just another transactional advisor and being the trusted pro customers return to again and again.

I'll walk you through how to:

• Show up with the right energy (because customers feel it before you speak)

• Use names, humor, and personal touches to build instant trust

• Transition naturally from small talk to business without feeling "robo"

• Make customers feel like people, not VIN numbers

• Turn a check-in into the start of a relationship that drives approvals and loyalty

This isn't theory — it's what I see working every week in dealerships. If your service team can nail this, the rest of the process gets easier, approvals go up, and income potential climbs.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast | 🎧 https://apple.co/38lmHM1 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t | Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

🔥Check out our sponsor!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.

In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, we sit down with Jay Vijayan, visionary founder and CEO of Tekion, to explore his transformative journey from Tesla’s CIO to creating one of the most disruptive companies in automotive retail.

Jay shares the bold leap of leaving a high-level role at Tesla to tackle decades-old dealership technology challenges, and how his purpose-driven vision sparked the creation of Tekion’s cloud-native platform. From buying dealerships to build a “live lab,” to navigating COVID with innovation that reshaped digital retailing, Jay takes us inside the risks, setbacks, and breakthroughs that fueled Tekion’s rise.

We also dive into the importance of solving root problems—not surface-level fixes—how dealers and OEMs can collaborate to deliver seamless consumer experiences, and why AI, machine learning, and ecosystem partnerships are no longer optional but essential to the future of automotive.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to disrupt legacy systems, win over skeptics, and build a company that redefines an industry, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger and act bolder.

Tekion launched Tekion AI Agent for Service this year. You can learn more about it in this video.https://tekion.com/resources/tekion-ai-agents-service=

Also, here is a link to our testimonials page which includes some really great dealer customer accounts and stories. https://tekion.com/testimonials

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast | 🎧 https://apple.co/38lmHM1 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t | Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.