UCDP Ep #79 - Smarter Diagnostics, Data & the Future of Dealership Profitability w/ Cole Reiken

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Cole Reiken, Managing Director of Blue Driver, to unpack how smarter diagnostics and data-driven tools are reshaping dealership profitability and customer trust.

Cole shares lessons from his career at Impel.AI, Open Lane, and Canadian Black Book, and how those experiences inform his leadership at Blue Driver. He dives into the balance of serving both DIY consumers and enterprise dealers, the challenge of system fatigue in dealerships, and why seamless workflow integration is key to adoption.

The conversation covers EV diagnostics, predictive insights, fraud protection, and how Blue Driver Max helps dealers avoid costly trade-in surprises. Cole also looks ahead at the role of data integration, battery health, and a future where diagnostics follow the vehicle through its entire lifecycle.

Whether you’re focused on reducing reconditioning risk, improving appraisal accuracy, or preparing for EV adoption, Cole’s insights offer practical takeaways for independent and franchise dealers alike.

⏱️ Key Questions & Timestamps
 00:00 – Intro & Cole’s background at Impel.AI, Open Lane, Canadian Black Book
 04:20 – How do you balance consumer vs. enterprise diagnostic needs?
 07:18 – What does Blue Driver offer today for consumers and dealerships?
 11:31 – What are the headwinds to adoption at the dealership level?
 13:40 – How are you preparing for EVs and software-defined vehicles?
 15:56 – What diagnostic innovations will most impact dealers in the next 5 years?
 19:28 – What’s your vision for consumer vs. dealer diagnostics by 2030?
 23:20 – Q1: What product or feature has surprised you most in development over the past year?
24:12 – Q2: What’s one app you use every single day?
24:29 – Q3: What’s one thing in the auto industry that you think is overhyped right now?
25:35 – What updates and events are coming up for Blue Driver?

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://sellyautomotive.com/podcast
📄 Read the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/cole-bluedriver