The Walk Around

Jonathan Banks, VP of Product Retailing for JD Power’s Retailing Portfolio, breaks down macro trends across the industry, used-car profit strategies, and how dealer principals can optimize performance in the next 12–18 months.Episode Breakdown 00:00 - Meet Jonathan Banks01:00 - Macroeconomic trends dealers should be thinking about03:30 - Affordability: What should dealers be paying attention to08:09 - Strategies dealers should be using to optimize used car profits10:49 - Thoughts on dealer certified OEMs14:37 - Advice to dealer principals on how to optimize their stores16:47 - Key takeaways for dealers in the next 12 to 18 monthsFor more information about our guest, visit their ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠. Liked this episode? Find our full episode library ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Eve Knudtsen, President of Knudtsen Auto Group, is a third-generation dealer leading three stores across the Pacific Northwest. She shares insights on leadership, technology, culture and her experience as a woman in automotive.Episode Breakdown 00:00 - Meet Eve Knudtsen!02:31 - Making your voice heard as a woman in automotive05:02 - Advice to women pursuing leadership positions06:19 - Advice to those new to automotive careers07:35 - What Eve is focusing on in 2026 at her group09:23 - Areas of opportunity to improve customer service12:12 - The result of implementing AI into the customer experience12:55 - The leadership trait/habit that Eve swears by15:47 - What’s a bigger risk to dealers? Technology adoption or talent development? 17:57 - The importance of culture in your dealership 19:43 - F&I’s importance in the customer experience For more information about our guest, visit their ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠. Liked this episode? Find our full episode library ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tyson Jominy, SVP OEM Solutions at JD Power, discusses affordability pressures, interest rates, lease returns, and why stable demand and mid-cycle conditions will shape dealer planning for the 2026 auto market.Episode Breakdown 00:00 - Meet Tyson Jominy from J.D. Power01:05 - Affordability and the role of monthly payment03:29 - What longer loan terms mean for dealers04:36 - Limited used supply and strong trade-in values05:38 - Service lanes as a used inventory opportunity06:49 - Does the 2026 demand outlook remain optimistic? 08:47 - SAAR forecast and vehicle price expectations10:40 - Interest rate outlook and OEM-supported financing11:46 - Leasing as an affordability strategy for dealers12:33 - Fixed ops profitability and warranty impactFor more information about our guest, visit their ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠. Liked this episode? Find our full episode library ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Christian Crain, VP of Crain Automotive Holdings, discusses leading a 23-store dealer group, their focus on seamless operations and how they are addressing the affordability challenges their guests are facing now.Episode Breakdown 00:00 - Meet Christian Crain02:15 - How Crain Automotive is addressing customer affordability05:24 - Creating a frictionless process07:45 - Best Bets with Christian Crain 08:31 - Will AI handle more than 30% of your store’s customer communications?10:32 - Will 100% online purchase happen without in-person viewing of the car?11:28 - Razorbacks & college football: will the playoffs happen? For more information about our guest, visit their ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠. Liked this episode? Find our full episode library ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

John Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of Force Marketing, joins the podcast to share insights on marketing trends in 2026, the future of AI and technology, customer engagement opportunities and strategies for dealership growth.Episode Breakdown 00:00 - Meet John Fitzpatrick! 01:58 - Trends in Dealership Marketing and Customer Engagement02:28 - The “4A” Strategy (Audience, Attention, Automation, Attribution)04:54 - The Importance of Consistent Messaging and Response Time 08:52 - AI in Dealerships: Progress Over Perfection12:15 - Treating Marketing Expenses Like Investments 14:51 - Marketing Opportunities in Fixed Ops and Service Retention 18:25 - “Bet It or Forget It” Segment18:54 - AI Chat & Automation Replacing BDC Roles19:40 - What is a Dealership’s Most Valuable Asset?20:15 - Local Brand Awareness vs. Vehicle Inventory22:12 - The Power of TikTokFor more information about our guest, visit their ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠. Liked this episode? Find our full episode library ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.