SAT #23 - 🔓 Opportunity with Paige Goodwin

AHHHH summer weekends. These 2 day marvels that are host to sale weekends, grilling, and mowing the lawn. We hope you roll into Saturday recharged to serve customers well and get a chance on Sunday to honor your fathers well!

Keep Pushing Back

-Paul, Kyle, & Chris

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHT

Paige Goodwin: The Importance of Service, Mentorship, and 1989 Ford Probe GTs

Hi Paige! We’re excited to learn more about you and hear how you got into the auto industry. Give us an overview: Who are you, where do you work, and what role do you serve in your company?

Hi! I’m Paige Goodwin and my title is Director of Digital Retailing for Group 1 Automotive. My role spans our digital buying solution and the implementation of a Consumer Data Platform.

How did you get into the auto industry?

It all began about 20 years ago. I took on a Customer Service role at a startup automotive marketing company. The people responsible for the startup came from the Friedkin Companies (Gulf States Toyota, GS Marketing, GSFS Group, etc.) and I was able to connect with other people who had previously been or were currently employed there.

After a year, that company sold, and I stayed on with the new organization and moved into a sales role where I consulted with dealerships across the country on their direct marketing.

Then the call I’d been hoping for came...I was invited to join Gulf States Marketing team where I would spend the next thirteen-and-a-half years. That’s also where I met Daryl Kenningham, the current CEO of Group 1. In 2019 I reached out to Daryl to ask for a job at Group 1 and joined them in October of that year.

Who do you think has been the most influential person in your career?

I’ve had many who influenced my career, but the most influential is Shelley Washburn. Shelley’s career path was inspiring because she was very early in being the first or only female in various automotive roles in dealerships and OEM field roles.

The call I’d been waiting for to come work at the Friedkin organization came from Shelley and she took me under her wing for my whole career at GSM. In addition to the work-related knowledge, Shelley helped me to be a better person in general and opened my eyes to the importance of volunteering in the community. She made sure I learned and grew over time, and she is still one of my great friends to this day.

We love that. Having a good mentor can make all the difference. What would you say is the most useful, game-changing, growth-facilitating change you have implemented in your business?

It’s hard to choose between two, so I’m just going to have to say both! The first is our digital platform, AcceleRide. It was instrumental in helping us through the pandemic to sell cars and has even allowed us to sell after major weather events when the dealerships may be without power. We can sell a car to anyone, from anywhere! It’s also making us more efficient when selling, giving us the ability to grow.

Second is the Consumer Data Platform. We went live early this year and its capabilities are just so powerful for growth and unlock a lot of opportunity.

Let’s end with probably the most critical question of all: What was your first car?

My grandparents gave me $2,000 for high school graduation in 1993 in hopes that I would take a trip to Europe, and I immediately went out and bought a pre-owned 1989 Ford Probe GT instead. Yes, the one with the flip-up lights! It was gray with red interior and had a manual transmission. I absolutely loved it!

CONTENT RECAP

Weekly Recap

EMAIL RECAP

• New cars are cheap, but leasing EVS is even cheaper. 💲

• GM adopts Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its EVs. 🔌

• Toyota's shares reached a 16-month high. 📈

• ATUC discussed creating a personal brand and harnessing the power of digital marketing. 🐂

• CR Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Adrian in southeast Michigan answers their local food pantry’s call for help. 🆘

• Louisiana Auto Dealers Association offers paid apprenticeships for aspiring techs. 🛠️

💗 If you didn’t already know, June is National Automotive Service Professionals Month, so be sure to thank your technicians and show them some extra love today and the rest of the month! 💗

PODCAST RECAP

Paul and Kyle had the privilege of catching up with Paige in person at this year’s Reuters Automotive Retail event in Las Vegas! 🤗

🎧 Learn even more about her role at Group 1 Automotive from our Amplify podcast here! 🎧

CAPTION CONTEST

Like Father, Like Son

We were incredibly excited to have the entire ASOTU crew at our Live Tonight event in Atlanta this week to promote “More Than Cars”, including Myles Daly. 🌟

Yep, Paul’s kid (as if you couldn’t tell just by looking at them). 👀

Paul is clearly beaming with pride here, but what is Myles thinking? 🤔

Hit the reply button to give us your best guess, and we’ll let Myles pick his favorite answer to receive some swag! 🏆

SOMETHING FUN

Prancing Horses Found in Barn

No, not THOSE kinds of horses. 🐴

🏎️ THESE kinds of horses:

RM Sotheby's recently unveiled a dazzling "Lost & Found Collection" of twenty Ferraris that have been tucked away for over three decades.

When Hurricane Charley demolished a Florida barn in 2004 unveiling these hidden treasures, they were ushered into an Indiana warehouse where they remained in hibernation…until now.

Among the standout stars were a 1956 250 GT Coupe Speciale that once belonged to the esteemed King Mohamed V of Morocco, and a first-of-its-kind 1965 275 GTB/6C Alloy which made its mark on the prestigious Targa Florio race.

If you’d like to own one of these historic cars, you might wanna start saving up for the August auction now. While each car is being offered without reserve, collectors expect quite a few of the lots to hammer down for no less than seven figures. 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

SA