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Episode #1264: As the NADA Show wraps, we zoom out on what actually mattered, from a shift in how dealers are thinking about AI, to deeper vendor partnerships, to how dealers are thinking about Chinese vehicles

Show Notes with links:

• As the dust settles from another packed NADA Show, some of the most meaningful takeaways weren’t about flashy announcements, but mindset. Liza Borches shared reflections on leadership, partnerships, and why this year’s conversations felt more practical — and more ready for action.
  • “AI is a strategy conversation, not a tool conversation. It’s less about adding new technology and more about using AI to help us solve problems and connect the tools and partners we already have.”
  • “Partnership matters more than ever. Our vendor partners aren’t just providers — they’re collaborators helping us build better experiences for our customers and teams. The integration that our key partners are not just willing to do but excited to do is a gamechanger.”

• The idea of selling Chinese vehicles in the U.S. split the room at NADA. Dealers openly acknowledged the profit opportunity, even as trade groups and some store owners warned about subsidies, nationalism, and long-term consequences for American retail auto.
  • Presidio Group president George Karolis said dealers are conflicted: “A majority of the dealer respondents saw it as a threat and opportunity — both… the vehicles are really good, slick and more affordable.”
  • Several dealers privately said if Chinese OEMs solve affordability, politics won’t stop them from selling
  • Cable Dahmer Automotive Group owner Carlos Ledezma took a pragmatic stance: “If that’s what the consumer is looking for, then we are going to have to pay attention to that.”
  • NADA CEO Mike Stanton was blunt on policy: “It’s bad for our industry, it’s bad for our country, it’s bad for consumers,” while still conceding NADA wouldn’t block dealers from adding Chinese franchises.
  • Ford Blue president Andrew Frick captured the dealer mindset: “It’s hard for a dealer not to look at that as an opportunity for them as an entrepreneur.”

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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