Michael Cirillo: The Biggest Problem In Retail Auto and How To Solve It | Leadership | Ep. 678

The Dealer Playbook

The Dealer Playbook
Michael Cirillo: The Biggest Problem In Retail Auto and How To Solve It | Leadership | Ep. 678
Sep 18, 2025
Michael Cirillo

Most people assume the biggest problem in retail auto is inventory, rates, or competition.

But every time I walk into a dealership, I see something else at the core of the struggle. It isn’t obvious on the surface, but you can feel it in the turnover, the burnout, the “busy but not fulfilled” pace that too many teams are stuck in.

We love to talk about legacy in this industry. The photos on the walls, the family names on the buildings. But the truth is, legacy can’t just be something we inherit or frame. It has to be something we create every single day. And most stores don’t have a framework for how to actually do that.

That gap shows up everywhere: in culture, in leadership, in the quiet frustration people feel when they show up to work and wonder if it really matters.

In this week’s solo episode, I share what I believe is the biggest problem holding retail auto back, and how you can solve it. It’s the same framework my team and I use in my companies, and it’s made all the difference in how we lead, how we serve, and even how I show up at home with my family.

I think you’ll find it both challenging and hopeful.

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This Episode's Sponsor

FlexDealer Need Better Quality Leads? FLX helps car dealers generate better quality leads through localized organic search and highly-targeted ads that convert. They also help integrate marketing with internal operations for optimal results, and unparalleled growth.

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