Car Dealership Podcast

• Jacqui Barker: How Dealers Can Stay Ahead in the Next Big Shift

  Send us a textIn this episode my guest is Jacqui Barker, Global OEM Strategy Director at Keyloop. Jacqui’s career path has taken her from the early days of car magazines, through AutoTrader’s shift from print to digital, and now into helping OEMs and retailers adapt to the fast-changing world of tech and customer experience.We talk about the big lessons she learned at AutoTrader that still apply today, how OEM strategy connects (or sometimes disconnects) with the reality of the showroom floor, and why partnerships with startups are shaping the future of automotive retail. Jacqui also shares her perspective on the bubbles in EVs and AI, and how leaders can bring their teams along when change feels overwhelming.What I love about this conversation is how practical it is. Jacqui doesn’t just talk theory—she shares insights that dealers and industry leaders can actually use. If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between big-picture strategy and real-world customer experience, this episode is worth your time.

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• Paul de Vries: The One Mistake That’s Costing Dealers Sales

  Send us a textIn this episode, my guest is Paul de Vries, founder of DCDW (Digital Car Dealer Workshop) and a familiar face in the European automotive industry. Paul has worn just about every hat in the business—from pumping gas at a Volkswagen station, to running a dealership, to building and selling the first online new car platform in Europe to eBay.We get into some powerful lessons about what it really takes to win with online leads. Paul shares why speed is everything, what happens when you miss the “first response” window, and how tools and processes can double conversion rates without spending more on marketing. We also explore the changing role of BDCs, where AI fits in (and where it doesn’t), and what European dealers can learn from their American counterparts.What I love most about this conversation is how real Paul gets. He even admits to losing a deal because he wasn’t quick enough—and that honesty makes his advice all the more practical.If you’ve been frustrated with “bad leads” or wondered why your digital marketing isn’t paying off the way it should, you’ll get a ton of insight here. This isn’t theory. It’s about what’s working right now and how you can apply it in your dealership today.

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• Johan Verbois: The Untapped Power of Used Cars

  Send us a textIn this episode, my guest is Johan Verbois, founder of MA5, a used vehicle consulting, an international consulting firm specializing in used vehicle operations, remarketing, and residual value management.Johan’s journey into automotive started with a surprising detour from physiotherapy to dealership life—and turned into a 35+ year career shaping used car operations at some of the biggest names in the business, including Toyota, Opel, Peugeot, and Mercedes.We get into a lot during this conversation:Why most dealers still lack a real used car strategyThe cultural differences across Europe that affect how used cars are valued and soldWhat EVs are doing to the second-hand market—and why some dealers are afraid to touch themHow AI and new retail players are changing the game faster than we realizeAnd what Johan learned from his time at Toyota about focus, simplicity, and long-term thinkingJohan is also a board member of CARA, the European Car Remarketing Association, and a familiar face on global automotive stages. If you're in the industry—OEM, retail, tech, or consulting—this is one of those episodes that gives you a fresh lens on what’s happening right now in the used car world.Give it a listen—there’s plenty in here that could sharpen your next move.

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• John Lin: How to Future-Proof Your Car Dealership

  Send us a textIn this episode, my guest is John Lin, a renowned speaker, China expert, and platform evangelist, known for his unique ability to bridge Eastern innovation with Western business practice. As a regular columnist for Twinkle Magazine and a former Lead Ecosystem Business Developer at bol.com, John has spent his career exploring the intersection of Chinese tech trends and local market application. Through thought-provoking keynotes he inspires organisations to rethink innovation, platform thinking, and the speed of change driven by the East.We talk about what Europe can learn from China’s rapid growth in EVs and innovation. And not just the obvious stuff like faster production or big factories—but things like how Xiaomi sold 100,000 cars in 24 hours, and why car dealerships in China feel more like tech stores than showrooms.Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Why the EV boom in China happened so fast, and what role government policy playedHow consumer behavior around car buying is changing, and what Gen Z expectsWhat Chinese brands are doing differently in retail, and how it’s driving real resultsWhich upcoming Chinese EV companies might be the ones to watch in EuropeAnd how European dealer groups can prepare for the next wave of competitionJohn shares stories that will make you rethink what’s possible, from self-parking cars that drive themselves underground to car brands being sold alongside headphones and smartphones. The pace, the tech, the mindset, it’s all moving faster than most of us realize.If you’ve been wondering what’s really coming next in automotive retail, this episode will open your eyes. Give it a listen. It might just change how you see the future.

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• Steven van Belleghem: The New Rules of Customer Experience.

  Send us a textIn this episode, my guest is Steven van Belleghem, a globally recognised expert in customer experience and the impact of technology on business. He’s the author of several bestsellers, including When Digital Becomes Human, Customers the Day After Tomorrow, and The Offer You Can’t Refuse. Through his work with Nexxworks, Steven helps leading brands figure out how to stay relevant in a world that’s changing faster than most can keep up.We get into the real story behind AI’s impact on customer behavior—and why many businesses are focusing on the wrong side of the AI revolution. Steven makes it clear: it’s not just about backend efficiency. It’s about how your customers are already using AI to search, decide, and buy in ways most businesses aren’t even seeing.In this episode, you’ll learn:How AI is quietly raising the bar for what customers expectWhy focusing only on internal AI projects could make your dealership invisibleWhy word of mouth and customer reviews are more critical than everWhat car dealers can start doing today to build customer experiences that people actually talk aboutSteven also shares a personal story that shows just how quickly a dealership can lose a lifetime of business by missing one key moment.This conversation is packed with insights you can start applying right away. If you want to know how to keep winning customers in an AI-first world, this episode is for you.There’s a lot in here to think about—and plenty you can start applying right now.

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