ASOTU CON Sessions

In this compelling ASOTU CON session, Paul J Daly sits down with John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, to discuss the evolving role of leadership in the modern auto industry. Bozzella shares his journey from politics to automotive policy, offering a unique lens into how government, innovation, and economic strategy intersect. With decades of experience at Ford, Chrysler, and now leading a criti...

In this ASOTU CON 2025 session, Paul J Daly sits down with Glenn Pasch to discuss his latest book, The Road to Sold, and dive deep into the practical realities of online sales process optimization. Glenn, a seasoned operator, consultant, and trainer, explains how the book was born out of a common but frustrating gap between marketing performance and showroom results. With his signature “hands-in-the-dirt” approach, he reveals how d...

In this fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation recorded live at ASOTU CON 2025, David Spisak sits down with Ben Hadley to explore what he calls “The Age of Compression.” Ben breaks down how innovation cycles, attention spans, and consumer expectations are all accelerating—and why traditional automotive processes are struggling to keep up. This episode dives into the psychological and technological shifts reshaping how busine...

In this thought-provoking ASOTU CON 2025 session, David Spisak of Disruptive Growth Solutions sits down with Daniel Govaer to tackle one of the most pervasive operational issues in automotive retail: shiny object syndrome. With over two decades of experience in retail automotive, Daniel breaks down how impulsively chasing new tech leads to stalled implementations, team confusion, and ultimately, failure to launch.

Together, they...

In this playful yet insightful session from ASOTU CON 2025, Arthur Bratton of Holiday Automotive joins Brad Gelber to explore what his young children unknowingly taught him about website user experience (UX) in automotive retail. Drawing inspiration from how his three, five, and seven-year-olds interact with technology, Arthur emphasizes that intuitive, simple design doesn’t just help younger users—it benefits every shopper. From c...

In this ASOTU CON 2025 session, Elizabeth Shults of RML Automotive joins Brad Gelber on the podcast stage to unpack one of the most contentious issues facing dealership marketers today: one-size-fits-all mandates from OEMs. Elizabeth shares firsthand how top-down directives—like Stellantis’ recent GMB access requirements—create operational chaos at the dealership level. Drawing on her deep experience with domestic brands, she highl...

In this high-powered ASOTU CON 2025 session, Steve Greenfield moderates a conversation with three top-tier venture capital voices shaping the future of automotive retail: Bill Cariss of Holman Growth Ventures, Chase Fraser of FM Capital, and Brian Donnelly of Autotech Ventures. With decades of operational, investment, and mobility experience between them, these investors unpack what it really takes to attract funding in today's...

In this ASOTU CON 2025 conversation, Michael Wood of Checkered Flag joins Elena Ciccotelli to explore the current state and future of Jaguar, the complexities of EV retail, and the importance of improving the customer experience in the dealership model. Michael passionately defends Jaguar's return to its roots, pushing boundaries in design and technology while rejecting criticism from purists who misunderstand the brand’s evolu...

In this lively ASOTU CON 2025 session, Alex Lawrence of EV Auto returns to the podcast stage with host Elena Ciccotelli to discuss the evolution of his brand, the EV landscape, and how content creation, customer trust, and service infrastructure all play critical roles in EV adoption. Known for his engaging documentary-style social media presence, Alex shares the journey from low-engagement educational videos to viral behind-the-sc...

In this dynamic ASOTU CON 2025 session, Austin Conroy sits down with Joe Castelino of American Motors Group to unpack a bold and strategic approach to rethinking service operations in response to changing market forces—including tariffs, EV adoption, and used car surges. Joe outlines how his team is right-sizing their fixed ops strategy by looking at every process from technician dispatching to digital parts ordering, and from inte...

In this inspiring ASOTU CON 2025 session, Austin Conroy sits down with Richard Lupo of Apple Tree Honda to discuss a revolutionary approach to solving one of the industry's biggest challenges: technician and service advisor shortages. Richard shares how his dealership has implemented a forward-thinking talent development program, transforming their hiring practices from reactive to strategic. By replacing the traditional "lube tech...

In this ASOTU CON 2025 session, Ed Roberts of Bozard Ford Lincoln joins host Austin Conroy on stage to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of automotive retail: customer convenience during the ownership journey. Ed challenges the industry’s traditional approach to fixed ops, pointing out the stark contrast between the high-touch sales process and the often neglected service experience. He emphasizes the need to stop interrog...

In this Session, Kyle Mountsier sits down with automotive industry icon David Kain to unpack his evolving role at NCM Associates and the powerful impact of Vendor 20 Groups. With decades of experience advocating for dealer success, David shares why it's more important than ever to foster genuine partnerships between vendors and dealerships. His insights highlight a fresh approach to collaboration that breaks down long-standing ...

In this engaging ASOTU CON 2025 session, hosts Kyle Mountsier and Paul J Daly sit down with Michael Lucki of Riverhead Mazda and two distinguished international guests: Ricardo Conesa and Pedro Sala from Spain’s Top Auto Group. They dive into the current state of the Spanish auto market, spotlighting the rise of Chinese automakers, rapid tech adoption, and the similarities dealers share across borders. Michael reflects on his uniqu...

In this forward-looking ASOTU CON 2025 session, Kyle Mountsier sits down with Arianne Walker from Amazon Autos and two standout students from Northwood University, Chase Southwick and Hanna Wood, to explore the evolving automotive landscape through the lens of the next generation. From fresh insights into customer experience to the rising role of digital fluency and social media savvy, this episode highlights the vital importance o...

In this ASOTU CON 2025 session, Nick Askew dives into the intricate world of inventory optimization with Derek Hansen and Patrick Janes of Cox Automotive. As industry veterans and leaders at one of automotive's most data-rich organizations, they explore how AI-powered insights and digital tools are helping dealer groups solve one of their most persistent challenges: getting the right car to the right store at the right time.

In this ASOTU CON 2025 episode, Nick Askew sits down with Danielle Mills Walden from Upstart and Evan Driscoll of Audi Jacksonville to explore how AI-powered financing is transforming dealership operations and expanding customer access. With real-world insights from both the provider and the practitioner, the conversation covers everything from instant approvals and improved profit centers to the ethical implications of AI-driven l...

In this ASOTU CON session, Chad Graves of Reunion Marketing joins Nick Askew to explore how AI-generated overviews—like those featured prominently in Google and other search platforms—are fundamentally transforming the customer journey in automotive retail. With search behavior changing rapidly due to the rise of tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, Chad unpacks how dealerships must adapt their SEO strategies to stay visible and...

In this Session from ASOTU CON 2025, Zac Kinch sits down with Keith Lemer, CEO of WellNet, to explore how reframing healthcare costs can directly enhance company culture. Keith shares real-world examples of transforming healthcare from a dreaded budget line item into a powerful recruitment and retention tool—turning dollars into deeper employee engagement. From guiding employees toward smarter healthcare decisions to implementing i...