Retention Roadmap: Navigating Service Success for New Car Dealerships
There’s nothing worse than losing customers to independent garages and quick lubes after the OEM warranty expires – which happens 70% of the time! As a car dealership, your #1 goal is keeping customers — and to do that, you need quality employees, an optimized service department, and benefits that matter to your customers. Imagine transforming your service department into a powerhouse of customer retention and satisfaction. Picture a dealership where your team is motivated, your customers are loyal, and your service department consistently drives revenue and profit. That’s exactly what you’ll get from Retention Roadmap with Bill Springer. Bill is a seasoned expert in dealership customer retention, service marketing, and customer experience. In this podcast, you’ll get actionable insights, industry best practices, and real-life success stories from Bill, along with other industry experts. Each episode is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to enhance customer retention, improve employee productivity, and drive profitability. If you’re ready for that, subscribe now and start transforming your dealership.
Episodes
What if your biggest threat to retention isn’t the competition, but your own calendar? Most dealerships don’t lose customers all at once. They just stop showing up. But with AI and a few simple process shifts, you can catch defection before it happens and make retention feel automatic.
In this episode, sponsored by DriveSure, we welcome Dave Foy, a veteran of automotive retail and founder of the Automotive AI Summit. With decades o...
What if your best retention strategy had nothing to do with pricing, loyalty programs, or even your shop’s hours, and everything to do with how your service advisors say "good morning"? Most customers don’t come back because they weren’t helped… they were handled.
The fix? Train your advisors to build relationships, not just close tickets.
In this episode, sponsored by DriveSure, Bill Springer sits down with Kieran Stack, founder o...
Offering mobile service sounds like a win-win, but for many dealerships, the logistics feel overwhelming. How do you staff it? Route it? Make money on it? And will customers even use it consistently?
In this episode, sponsored by DriveSure, Bill sits down with Amit Chandarana, CEO of Curbee, a mobile service software platform that’s helping dealerships turn these questions into action. Drawing on Curbee’s roots in Tesla’s early mob...
Most customers expect a modern, seamless experience everywhere they go, so why does the dealership service lane still rely on clipboards and key drops? It’s time to ask whether your service experience reflects the kind of innovation and convenience today’s customers take for granted.
In this episode, sponsored by DriveSure, we talk with Richard Lupo, Fixed Operations Director at Apple Tree Honda and Acura, about how he’s transforme...
The success of dealership service departments often hinges on effectively setting and securing first service appointments—a pivotal step many dealerships overlook. But it could significantly boost customer retention through strategic processes and engaging customer experiences.
In this episode, sponsored by DriveSure, Patti Tremonti, CEO of MTN Automotive Training Systems, outlines the importance of dealership-wide participation in...
Customer retention in the dealership service department is about more than just numbers—it's about treating every customer as if they're family and earning their repeat and referral business. In this episode, Tully Williams, Fixed Operations Director at the Niello Company, emphasizes the importance of measuring retention consistently and realistically, sharing his unique insights on why customer-focused recommendations and competit...
The service retention landscape is shifting, and dealerships must adapt to stay ahead. With fewer new cars being sold in recent years, the traditional flow of service customers is slowing, making it more important than ever to win back lost customers and capture more aftermarket business.
In this episode, we sit down with Ujj Nath, CEO and Founder of myKaarma, to explore the biggest challenges and opportunities in fixed ops today. ...
Dealerships today face a unique challenge: standing out in a crowded digital landscape while building long-term customer loyalty. In this episode, we explore how dealerships can strengthen their brand, improve retention, and create meaningful customer relationships.
We’re joined by up-and-coming industry leader, Savannah Simms, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Simms Auto Group, and Chief Operating Officer at Fred...
What if some of the biggest opportunities for service retention are hiding in plain sight? Recalls and mobile service often feel like operational challenges, but they could be the key to driving revenue and reactivating customers you thought were lost for good.
In this episode, sponsored by DriveSure, Ryan Maher, CEO and founder of BizzyCar, joins us to uncover how shifting your perspective on these services can transform your dea...
What’s the real key to turning first-time customers into lifelong dealership advocates? For many, the answer lies in an often-overlooked area: the parts department. In this episode, we uncover how inventory health, tire strategies, and better communication can transform your dealership’s retention game.
Kaylee Felio, Sales and Marketing Manager at PartsEdge and host of the Trailblaze Your Path podcast, joins us to share practical i...
Today’s customers demand greater transparency and trust from their service providers—and dealerships need to deliver. How can fixed ops professionals bridge the gap between customer expectations and service department performance?
In this episode of Retention Roadmap, sponsored by DriveSure, we sit down with Joe Shaker, CEO of Shaker Auto Group and founder of TruVideo, to explore how video technology is transforming dealership comm...
Why do some dealership service departments foster lifelong customer loyalty while others struggle with defection? What if the key lies in leveraging transparency and technology to build trust and enhance the customer experience?
In this week’s episode, sponsored by DriveSure, Zach Roberts, Service Director at Manly Automotive Group, shares how video multipoint inspections and streamlined service processes are reshaping customer rel...
Why are some dealerships leading the charge in customer loyalty while others struggle to stand out? Could the secret lie in evolving service processes and a reimagined approach to business development? In this episode, we unpack the strategies that turn service interactions into long-term customer loyalty.
Our guest, John Traver, CEO and founder of Traver Connect, shares how modern BDC practices are helping dealerships enhance cust...
Why should dealerships rethink service convenience to retain more customers? Todd Rabourn, Ford Motor Company’s Director of Global Customer Experience Implementation, shares how Ford’s mobile service initiative is transforming the way dealerships connect with customers and drive loyalty.
In this week’s episode, Todd explores the growing demand for mobile service and pickup and delivery options, highlighting how they remove friction...
Why do some dealerships thrive in service retention while others struggle to bring customers back? What if the secret lies in data-driven insights that reveal untapped opportunities and practical strategies? In this episode, we uncover tools and techniques dealerships can use to turn their service lanes into loyalty engines.
Our guest, Piermichele Robazza, Global Practice Director of Aftersales Performance at Urban Science, shares ...
Why do so many dealerships let tire sales—and customer retention—slip through their fingers? Wes Volkert, Parts Director and tire expert, breaks down how dealerships can transform their tire sales strategy to drive loyalty and long-term growth.
In this episode, Wes dives into the often-overlooked role of tires in retention. He shares how leveraging manufacturer programs, optimizing inventory, and fostering customer awareness can dr...
Customers today expect more convenience than ever, and dealerships need to adapt to stay competitive. With growing demand for faster, more accessible service, how can your dealership meet these expectations while boosting efficiency and retention?
In this episode of Retention Roadmap, sponsored by DriveSure, we dive into the innovative world of mobile service with Jeremy Stephens, Remote Operations Director at Bozard Ford Lincoln...
Why do some dealerships consistently outperform competition while others lose customers to aftermarket pricing? Intelicheck’s Joe Gibson & Melissa Marlatt uncover competitive intelligence strategies that help service departments boost retention, stay ahead in pricing, and win back customers.
In this episode sponsored by DriveSure, Joe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Melissa, Chief Operating Officer, explore the impa...
Every customer is ultimately seeking convenience, so how can dealerships take advantage of the transformative power of mobile service technology to deliver an exceptional experience?
In this episode of Retention Roadmap, Denise Leleux, CEO of Curbee, highlights how dealerships can leverage mobile service to improve customer satisfaction and increase service capacity without the need for costly infrastructure expansions. By focusing...
If your fixed ops department still relies on outdated marketing or thinks coupons are enough, you're leaving serious money on the table. But how can dealerships transform their service departments? Why is it so important to build real customer relationships? It’s time to rethink everything about marketing fixed ops!
In this episode of Retention Roadmap, Charity Dunning, Chief Marketing Officer and Russell Hill, Managing Partner an...
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