UCDP Ep #74 - Modernizing Trade-Ins and Dealer Payments: Tim Zierden, TradePending
In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Tim Zierden, Chief Operating Officer at TradePending, to unpack how the company’s trade-in, payment, video, and retention tools are “making automotive simple” for more than 5,000 dealerships. Tim shares what drew him to the role after two decades at Cox Automotive, KAR Global, and Dealertrack, the biggest milestones powering TradePending’s recent expansion, and how real-time data helps dealers outpace tariff-driven price swings. The conversation also dives into AI-lite automation vs. personal video, the rise of CDPs, and the customer-life-cycle tactics that turn online shoppers into lifelong service customers. Whether you’re wrestling with affordability headwinds or hunting for higher-ROI digital retailing solutions, Tim’s insights are a must-listen.Below are the main questions Zach asks Tim, along with timestamps:00:37 Q) What pulled you toward TradePending after two decades in auto-tech?02:52 Q) Beyond the recent acquisitions, which milestone mattered most for the company’s growth?04:01 Q) How does your “make automotive simple” mantra guide product decisions?05:21 Q) What’s the biggest thing dealers say TradePending improves for engagement and sales?08:54 Q) How do you keep onboarding painless and support seamless for new clients?10:59 Q) How is TradePending helping dealers navigate today’s tariff-driven price swings?14:49 Q) Which emerging tech or consumer habits will reshape dealerships next?17:19 Q) What fresh innovations are you rolling out to keep dealers competitive?19:27 Q) What key factors should dealers weigh when choosing digital-retail and trade-in tools?Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcastRead the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/tim-trade-pending
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UCDP Ep #73 – Real-Time Lot Management with Mike Hanna of TrueSpot
In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Mike Hanna, CEO of TrueSpot, an innovative company transforming fixed ops with real-time vehicle and key tracking technology. They discuss how TrueSpot’s solutions minimize wasted time, cut costs, and ultimately enhance the customer experience. From initial challenges and triumphs to upcoming features and the future of location intelligence, Mike offers valuable insights for dealers looking to modernize their service operations.Below are the main questions Zach asks Mike, along with approximate timestamps:Q) How did TrueSpot get started, and what was the main “aha” moment behind its creation?Q) What were the biggest early challenges of bringing real-time location tech into dealerships?Q) You also work outside automotive—how do other industries compare or differ from dealerships?Q) What is Fixed Ops 360, and how does it improve day-to-day service operations?Q) Can you share a real-world example of how TrueSpot impacts a dealership’s productivity or CSI?Q) Aside from efficiency, how do you see customer experience evolving in fixed ops?Q) Which upcoming features or innovations are you excited to bring to market in 2025?Q) Does AI currently play a role in your software or operations?Q) What’s the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned while scaling a tech solution in auto retail?Q) What advice would you give dealers looking to modernize their service departments with new technology?Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcastRead the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/truespot-mike-hanna
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22:56
UCDP Ep #72 – Automotive BDC & Fixed Operations with John Traver
In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with John Traver, the founder of Traver Technologies and TraverConnect, to explore the evolution of the BDC concept. John shares insights on launching TraverConnect, transforming service-lane interactions into revenue opportunities, and balancing people with technology to deliver an exceptional customer experience. This conversation dives into leadership lessons, changing customer expectations, and the future impact of AI and automation on automotive BDC.Automotive BDC & Fixed OperationsQ) Take us back to how you got in the auto industry and your origin story?Q) So talk about the early days of BDC adoption and how that went—were dealers skeptical?Q) So what were some of the biggest operational challenges as you scaled out your business?Q) And how did the different services evolve that you offer at your company as technology and dealership operations got more complex?Q) So what separates a top-performing dealership using your BDC service versus one that’s not as organized?Q) How do you strike that balance between people, process, and technology?Q) How have customer expectations in the service department changed over the last 10 years, and how should dealers adapt?Q) What do you see as the biggest technology gaps today in fixed ops or BDCs?Q) Any thoughts on AI and some of the automation coming to market right now?Q) As we look to 2025 and dealers becoming more cost-conscious, where should they focus to drive the highest ROI?Q) What are you most excited about in the next year for Traver Connect and the automotive space generally?Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcastRead the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/john-traver-2025
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UCDP Ep #71 - Modern Dealership Reconditioning w/ Randy Kobat
In this episode of the podcast, Zach sits down with Randy Kobat, President and CEO of Repair On Demand, a provider of innovative reconditioning solutions for dealerships. They discuss how reconditioning has become a critical factor in dealership success, the common inefficiencies that slow down the recon process, and how technology can help dealers cut turnaround time and maximize profitability. Randy shares lessons from his extensive background—leading brands like vAuto, Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, and HomeNet—along with key insights from his decade at Cox Automotive. They also touch on how EVs bring new challenges, such as battery diagnostics, and how a streamlined recon workflow can give dealers a competitive edge.Below are the main questions Zach asks Randy, along with approximate timestamps:Q) How did you get started in automotive tech, and what led you to your current role?Q) From scaling vAuto and Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer, what lessons stand out for dealers today?Q) Why should dealers rethink how they manage their reconditioning process?Q) Where do you see the biggest inefficiencies in dealership recon right now?Q) How can dealers fix the communication breakdowns between sales, service, and third-party vendors?Q) What are the main financial and operational benefits of a streamlined recon process?Q) How does Repair On Demand help dealers eliminate recon inefficiencies?Q) Which innovations in recon technology are most exciting to you?Q) Any key takeaways from your time at Cox Automotive that you’ve brought to Repair On Demand?Q) With EVs on the rise, what new recon challenges do dealerships face (like battery diagnostics)?Q) What’s next for Repair On Demand in the coming 12 to 24 months?Q) How can listeners reach out if they want to connect with you?Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcastRead the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/randy-kobat
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UCDP Ep #70 - Driving Recall Accuracy with Mark Allen of AutoAp
In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Mark Allen, President of AutoAp, a leading provider of recall management services for dealerships, fleets, and various automotive partners. They discuss how AutoAp’s technology resolves the frequent discrepancies in safety recall data, the complexities behind VIN checks, and why automated, timely recall information is crucial for protecting customers and avoiding costly liability. Mark shares how his extensive experience in the auto industry led him to join and eventually lead AutoAp, and he offers insights into how all players—dealers, OEMs, service providers, and government agencies—must work together to improve overall road safety.Below are the main questions Zach asks Mark:Q) Mark, how did you get started in the auto industry?Q) Tell us about AutoAp and how you became its president.Q) How many vehicle recalls occurred in the U.S. during 2024?Q) Are current VIN-check sources enough, or what else should we know?Q) What’s the solution to these recall challenges?Q) How does AutoAp partner with different companies across the automotive ecosystem?Q) Which services does AutoAp offer, and can you share a key client example?Q) Anything else you’d like to add to wrap up the discussion?Q) How can companies contact you and learn about your upcoming events?📌 Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcast📜 Read the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/recall-accuracy-mark-allen
Welcome to the Used Car Dealer Podcast.You don’t have time for another vendor-sponsored podcast. You need actionable insights from people who understand your business inside and out. No sales pitches. No vendors-sponsored content. Just authentic, straight-to-the-point advice for used car dealers.Hosted by industry veterans the Used Car Dealer Podcast is the ONLY show that’s 100% focused on YOU.In each episode, we share tips on how to supercharge your used car business. You’ll hear interviews with industry experts, hot debates, and must-have news from across the industry.Whether you’re in sales, F&I, management, or in the allied industry, you’ll love the Used Car Dealer Podcast. Subscribe today anywhere you listen to podcasts.
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