AutoKnerd

WE NOW HAVE A WEEKLY NEWS LETTER!!!  Subscribe for the Saturday Morning OttoShift Tool Drop Click Here Before your customer buys the car… they buy you.

In this episode, we break down why trust is the real engine of the sales process—and how your confidence becomes the customer’s confidence. We explore the neuroscience of trust, the psychology of decision-making, and the very human truth ...

Ever wonder how many deals you’ve lost—not to your competition, but to your own silence?

In this heartfelt and slightly cosmic episode, Andrew takes you on a journey through the CRM graveyard—where forgotten leads float in digital limbo, waiting for a call that never comes. With empathy, dry humor, and brutal honesty, we unpack why most dealerships don’t lose sales to other stores—they lose them to slow follow-up, p...

Why do people really buy cars? In this interstellar episode of AutoKnerd, we take a galactic detour through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—exploring how each customer is actually chasing security, status, connection, or even self-actualization when they step into your showroom.

Inspired by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this episode layers cosmic humor over serious insights, giving sales consultants,...

Welcome to AutoKnerd, where car sales gets smarter, funnier, and a whole lot more human. In this episode, we’re diving into the real secret sauce of selling cars: customer validation. Spoiler alert: it’s not about stamping a parking ticket or dropping prices like confetti.

Host Andrew Sardone unpacks what it actually means to earn trust, ask the right questions, and build connections so strong they convert anxious browsers into con...

Car buyers aren’t just buying vehicles—they’re buying you. In this episode, we unpack how emotional intelligence (EQ) transforms average consultants into top performers. Backed by data, dealership success stories, and real-world strategies, we’ll show you how mastering empathy, trust, and active listening leads to more sales, happier customers, and longer careers. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your edge, this...

In this episode of AutoKnerd, we dive into the often-misunderstood world of digital leads—the ones that show up from sources like social media and credit sites without clear intent. These leads can feel like a mystery, and working them can quickly turn into a draining guessing game. We explore how to approach them with empathy, strategy, and clarity, offering real-world messaging tips that actually get responses without sounding ro...

Most salespeople lose their next five deals the moment their last customer drives away. Why? Because their follow-up is either lazy, robotic… or nonexistent.

In this episode of AutoKnerd, we’re digging into one of the most underrated, money-making habits in automotive sales: purposeful follow-up. I’ll show you what bad follow-up sounds like, how to build a rhythm that actually creates trust, and the exact moment you’ve earned the...

You did the work. You asked the right questions. You found the perfect car. And they still bought from someone else.

In this episode, we break down the kind of rejection that hurts the most—when you do everything right and still lose the deal. Learn why it’s not always your fault, how embarrassment plays into customer ghosting, and what real follow-up with integrity looks like.

This one’s for every consultant who gave it their ...

What happens when the sales board goes blank… and your confidence goes with it?

In this episode, we’re taking aim at one of the most toxic beliefs in the car business:

“You are only as good as your last deal.”

Spoiler alert—you’re not.

This isn’t just another sales training episode. It’s a gut-check.

We dive into:

• The emotional trap of commission-based identity
• Stoic wisdom for surviving a slow month
• Why legacy beats leaderb...

In this episode of the AutoKnerd Podcast, we dive into the power of reinvention and resilience. Inspired by the remarkable post-WWII transformation of Volkswagen, we explore how even the toughest setbacks—whether in your career, personal life, or business—can become the foundation for a powerful comeback.

Through the lens of Volkswagen’s shift from a wartime symbol to a beloved global brand, this episode offers practical insights...

Let’s face it: sometimes, customers can be a lot. Whether they’re rude, demanding, or just plain frustrating, we’ve all encountered those clients who make us want to hit “snooze” on our careers. But here’s the secret—kindness is the best way to survive, thrive, and even maybe win them over.

In this episode, we dive into the art of smiling through gritted teeth, keeping your cool, and turning difficult customers into loyal ones—al...

Imagine if every morning commute required firing up a boiler, watching a pressure gauge, and possibly losing your eyebrows in a steam-related mishap—sound crazy? Well, it almost happened! This week on AutoKnerd, we dive headfirst into the wonderfully strange and largely forgotten world of steam-powered cars. From Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot’s crash-prone invention to the ridiculously impressive Stanley and Doble steamers, we’ll explore a...

Buckle up, AutoKnerds, because today we’re diving into one of the wildest ideas in automotive history—nuclear-powered cars! That’s right, once upon a time, engineers and dreamers thought the best way to fuel your daily commute was with a miniature nuclear reactor. What could possibly go wrong?

In this episode, we’ll explore two of the most infamous attempts at making this atomic fantasy a reality:

☢ The Ford Nucleon – Ford’s 1958...

The DeLorean DMC-12 wasn’t just a car—it was a vision of the future. Stainless steel body? Check. Gull-wing doors? Check. A marketing campaign that made it the must-have ride of the early ‘80s? Absolutely. So how did this dream machine turn into one of the biggest automotive flops of all time?

In this episode of AutoKnerd, we take a deep dive into the story of John DeLorean, his revolutionary car, and the moment the world lost fait...

🚨 EVs are in trouble… but what if there was a better way? 🚨

For years, we’ve been told that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are the future, but let’s be real—range anxiety, charging infrastructure headaches, and high costs have left many buyers pumping the brakes on full EV adoption.

Enter the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV)—the game-changer that combines the efficiency of electric driving with the reliability of a gas ba...

What if I told you that the fastest way to bigger commissions... is to stop chasing commissions? Sounds crazy, right? But here’s the kicker—it actually works.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on why leading with kindness, empathy, and real human connectionisn’t just good karma—it’s good business. I’ve got stats to prove it, stories to back it up, and a simple shift you can make today that will change the way customer...

In this episode, I sit down with David Hirschfeld from Tekyz.inc to explore how AI is transforming the sales process. We discuss how AI can enhance CRM systems, streamline daily tasks, and give sales professionals a competitive edge. Whether you're in sales management or on the front lines, this conversation will show you how to leverage AI for efficiency and better customer relationships. Don't miss it!

mash subscribe! 

———-

Dav...

Ever walked onto a car lot and suddenly felt like you’re on an episode of Shark Week—but you’re the seal? Yeah, customers feel that too. That’s why trust is everything in sales. And guess what? The secret to building trust isn’t a magic script or the perfect close—it’s kindness.

In this episode, we dive into the psychology of trust and why people buy from those they genuinely like and feel comfortable with. We’re breaking down real...

🚗 What if the most powerful sales tool wasn’t in your pitch—but in your kindness?

Customers don’t just buy cars—they buy confidence, comfort, and trust. And nothing builds that faster than genuine kindness.

In this episode of AutoKnerd, we’re breaking down: ✅ Why customers respond instantly to authentic care ✅ Real-life examples of small gestures that create lasting impressions ✅ How automotive technology can help personalize the ...