Insights & Articles

Tony Pappas’ Inspiring Rise from Salesman to Dealer Principle

After years in the auto industry, one of the most frequent questions I get from dealers is “should I consider transferring my business to one of my children?”

I hate to see this happen, but sadly, it’s not uncommon. When an owner decides it’s time to sell his dealership, sometimes he takes his eye off the ball. And it costs him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you’re like most dealership owners we know, you don’t like to think about selling your dealership. We get that. It’s a complicated process with a lot of emotional baggage — it can feel overwhelming. Read more...

A monster wave can crush you, or give you the ride of your life. Surfers will tell you that the difference often comes down to timing. There is a monster wave coming for the auto industry and the media is calling it the Silver Tsunami. It is a wave of Baby Boomers hitting retirement age at a rate of 10,000 a day. Read more...

Scott Biehl set out on a path 32 years ago to own his own car dealership, and he has moved higher and higher up the ladder toward that dream over the years. He reached the top of the ladder last week when he became the dealer principal of Mercedes-Benz of Fresno. Read more...

Ramon Alverez owned Alvarez Jaguar in Riverside, California, for almost 25 years. It’s never an easy decision to sell a business you’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into, but Alvarez decided it was time. Read more...

How many times have you said, “When I retire, I’m going to _____?” Golf? Vacation? Hang out with the grandchildren? Learn five question to ask before you decide to retire. Read more...

When a car dealership owner decides to sell a store, it is a big — even life-changing — decision. The dealership is more than a business. It's an identity. It's a legacy. See the 3 rules for a successful sale. Read more...