November 8, 2025
The New Auto Arms Race: How Dealers Are Turning Vehicle Data into Loyalty and Cash Flow | Shane Wilson, President at Connected Dealer Services
Car Dealership Guy PodcastAbout this episode
Today special guest host Sam D'Arc is joined by Shane Wilson, President at Connected Dealer Services. We dive into the tug-of-war between dealers and automakers for customer ownership after the sale , how real-time vehicle data is fueling explosive fixed-ops growth , the playbook dealers are using to win loyalty long after delivery – and much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Connected Dealer Services - Staying connected after the sale isn’t optional anymore, it’s your competitive edge. Connected Dealer Services, creators of CarRx, help you transform every car on your lot into an ongoing customer relationship. Their connected-car technology powers real-time tracking, stolen-vehicle recovery, and service alerts that keep customers engaged long after they drive off the lot. From protecting your inventory to driving retention and fixed-ops growth, CarRx turns vehicle data into real, measurable profit. Discover how @ http://CarRx.com/Retention 2. S&P/IHS Global - With over 1,000 segments, across Service, Trade-In and In-Market Shoppers across, Polk Auto Direct gives dealers the best return out of every dollar spent. The self-serve platform includes multi-dealer management capabilities and targeting up to a 50-mile radius. Save now with special discounts for new sign-ups through November 30! Visit @ http://PolkAutoDirect.com today. 3. Amazon Autos - With Amazon Autos, your dealership can reach more buyers, drive more sales, and deliver a modern, more delightful car-buying experience. Learn more @ https://sell.amazon.com/programs/autos Check out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff: For dealers: Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership’s social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Topics: 1:30 What is Connected Dealer Services? 4:30 What is Connected Dealer Services' unique data advantage? 8:00 How do you measure service appointment success? 12:30 What is Connected Dealer Services' origin story? 16:00 How does F&I improve in profitability? 21:00 Dealer group vs. OEM strategy differences? 24:30 How to enhance fixed operations? 28:00 What is the installation and support process? 32:00 What is the future vision for Connected Dealer Services? Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com