How Larson Ford Is Using Technology to Stay Competitive

How Larson Ford Is Using Technology to Stay Competitive

Author: Jim Fitzpatrick August 11, 2026 Duration: 16:15
Rob Larson, President of Larson Ford, discusses how his family-owned dealership has adapted to seven decades of change while preparing for the next generation of automotive retail. Larson shares how the dealership embraced internet sales, AI and mobile service while maintaining a focus on personal customer relationships. He also addresses affordability, inventory constraints and the growing pressure from direct-sales brands and unauthorized brokers. Key discussion points: Technology adoption:...

Tune in to Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News for a direct line to the heart of the car business. Host Jim Fitzpatrick cuts through the noise, delivering conversations that feel more like a strategic huddle than a formal interview. Each episode pulls back the curtain on what’s actually working in automotive retail right now, moving beyond theory to the tangible strategies and operational shifts that are defining success. You’ll hear from the dealers, executives, and analysts who are navigating this complex landscape in real time, discussing everything from evolving customer expectations and digital marketing shifts to inventory management and the future of the dealership model. This podcast serves as an essential resource for anyone invested in the automotive retail sector, offering clarity and actionable insight amidst constant change. The discussions are grounded, detailed, and focused on the practical realities of running a business in this industry. For a deep, unvarnished look at the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping automotive retail, join Jim Fitzpatrick and his guests.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Inside Automotive with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News
Podcast Episodes
Matt Muilenburg on AI’s Next Chapter in Automotive Retail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:25
Matt Muilenburg, Chief Product Officer at Impel, explains how artificial intelligence is moving automotive retail beyond fragmented technology and toward more connected, efficient dealership operations. In this episode o…
Tim Mullins on What Gen Z Really Wants From Dealers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:34
Tim Mullins, Chief Market Officer at Capital One, explores how dealerships can better connect with Gen Z and first-time car buyers as their expectations around digital shopping, affordability and human interaction evolve…
David Alemian on the Hidden Cost of Employee Turnover [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:00
Retention expert David Alemian explains why dealerships need to think beyond compensation when it comes to keeping top-performing employees. As skilled workers become harder to replace, Alemian argues that employees stay…
Michael Dunne on China’s Growing Threat to the U.S. Auto Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:45
Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, examines China’s growing influence in the global automotive industry and what it could mean for U.S. automakers, dealers and policymakers. In this episode of Inside Automotive, Dunne…
How Dealerships Can Turn Their Websites Into 24/7 Sales Channels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:28
Gary Ng Wai, Chief Revenue Officer at CarJiffy, discusses how dealerships can turn website traffic into completed online vehicle sales with a true e-commerce buying experience. Most dealership websites are built to gener…
Matt Bowers on M&A, Margins and the Future of Auto Retail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:17
Matt Bowers, Owner of Matt Bowers Auto Group, discusses his counter-cyclical approach to dealership growth, profitability and navigating a softer retail market. Bowers shares how his 12-store group is approaching acquisi…
The $1.3 Billion Dealership Deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:28
Ryan Kerrigan, Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors, joins Inside Automotive to discuss the record-breaking $1.3 billion acquisition of Hennessy Automobile Companies by Group 1 Automotive and what it signals for the fu…
DriveCentric CEO Matt Leone on AI, Engagement, and Dealer Retention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:53
Matt Leone, CEO of DriveCentric, joins CBT News from the DC20 User Conference to discuss how dealerships can strengthen customer engagement, simplify their technology stack, and improve retention in an increasingly compe…
Lotlinx's Randy Kobat Explains the Future of Inventory Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:10
Randy Kobat, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotlinx, joins us on Inside Automotive to discuss why dealerships need a more proactive approach to inventory management and how earlier intervention can help protect margins. Dra…