Driving Solutions with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News
Driving Solutions with Jim Fitzpatrick, powered by CBT News
Podcast Description
Welcome to Driving Solutions, the podcast for dealership professionals who want to stay sharp, informed, and ahead of the curve. Hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick and powered by CBT News, each episode dives into the real-world strategies, tools, and vendor solutions helping today’s auto dealers run smarter, more profitable operations.From fixed ops and F&I to digital retailing and dealership leadership, Driving Solutions covers the full scope of dealership operations. Whether you're a dealer principal, GM, sales leader, or part of the management team, you’ll hear the trends, tactics, and expert insights that drive real results.Listen now and visit CBTNews.com for even more expert interviews, dealership news, and solutions. Follow us on social @carbiztoday and @cbtnews to stay connected and join the conversation.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast addresses key topics in dealership operations, such as fixed operations, finance and insurance, digital retailing, and dealership leadership. Episodes consistently feature examples like the integration of Customer Data Platforms and compliant credit card surcharging, focusing on trends that enhance profitability and efficiency in auto dealerships.
Welcome to Driving Solutions, the podcast for dealership professionals who want to stay sharp, informed, and ahead of the curve. Hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick and powered by CBT News, each episode dives into the real-world strategies, tools, and vendor solutions helping today’s auto dealers run smarter, more profitable operations.
From fixed ops and F&I to digital retailing and dealership leadership, Driving Solutions covers the full scope of dealership operations. Whether you’re a dealer principal, GM, sales leader, or part of the management team, you’ll hear the trends, tactics, and expert insights that drive real results.
Listen now and visit CBTNews.com for even more expert interviews, dealership news, and solutions.
Follow us on social @carbiztoday and @cbtnews to stay connected and join the conversation.
Stephane Ferri, CEO of Car Wars, joins Driving Solutions to discuss new data revealing how missed phone calls are costing dealerships millions in lost service opportunities—and how artificial intelligence may help close the gap. Drawing from Car Wars’ 2026 white paper, Ferri explains why the phone remains one of the most important lead sources for dealerships, particularly for service scheduling and customer inquiries.
The conversation examines operational bottlenecks that occur during peak call periods, when service advisors are balancing in-store customers with high inbound call volume. Ferri outlines how AI-powered communication tools can answer calls, schedule appointments, and route inquiries more efficiently, helping dealerships capture more service business while improving customer experience. The technology can also integrate with CRM systems, track call history, and support follow-up processes, giving dealerships greater visibility into customer communication. As fixed operations remain a key profit driver, improving call management may play a critical role in strengthening dealership profitability.
Key discussion points:
- The scale of missed service call opportunities at dealerships
- Why the phone remains a critical lead source for service scheduling
- How peak call times create operational bottlenecks for service teams
- Using AI to answer calls, schedule appointments, and route inquiries
- Integrating call data with CRM systems to improve follow-up and tracking
- The impact of better call management on fixed ops performance
Driving Solutions is the go-to podcast for dealership professionals who want to stay sharp, informed, and ahead of the curve. Hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick and powered by CBT News, each episode brings you real strategies, smart tools, and expert insights to help you run a more profitable operation.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and visit CBTNews.com for more.
Disclaimer
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