SAT #37 - ⚙️ Gearing Up

TOGETHER WITH

Hey, we get it. Maybe you’re the procrastinating type. You thrive when it’s down to the wire. We bet you even wait until the last minute to pack, huh?

The good news is, you still have time to get your tickets to ASOTU CON. The bad news is it’s not much time.

If you’re waiting for the eleventh-hour friend, it’s now.

Don’t miss out, we want to see you there!

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHT

Ashlee Church: Passionate, Professional Pivoter

Ashlee, thank you for joining me today! Let's start with the basics – can you tell me where you work and what role you play at your company?

I'm the General Manager at Volkswagen of Marion in Illinois, which is part of the Ike Family of Dealerships. Volkswagen of Marion opened as a new open point dealership in 2014, and I had the unique opportunity to be employee number one at my store. It's been an incredible journey witnessing the growth of the store and building a team within it.

What led you to start your career in the automotive industry, and what made you stick with it?

My journey in the automotive industry began in 2001. I started as a service cashier, doing various tasks like filing hard copies of service repair orders and answering the phones. I never planned to make a career in the car business. But, as many in the industry will tell you, it's hard to leave once you’re in.

Can you give me an idea of what your typical day looks like as a General Manager, and how do you manage your team?

I often joke that my job title should be "professional pivoter" because every day is different in the car business. I never know which department will need my attention, so I have to be ready for anything. It's a bit like that Whack-A-Gator arcade game where you hit the alligators as they come out but you never know which one is coming next! This job requires being adaptable and tackling various challenges. Personally, I'm really passionate about changing the stereotype of the car business and making it an appealing career choice for both women and men. We aim to have a team that mirrors our diverse client base, which is why we have a significant percentage of female team members throughout the dealership and women in leadership roles.

Shifting gears a bit, you may already know we have a saying here at ASOTU: Love people more than cars. Can you share any experiences that exemplify that saying for you?

Even though I work in the car industry, my true passion isn't about the cars themselves; it's about the people. What truly fulfills me is delivering an exceptional customer experience. That's what drives me. A five-star Google review that highlights our team's incredible service and the positive impact we've had on a customer's life means more to me than a high-profit deal. Our culture revolves around genuinely caring for our clients and team members, and that's where our success lies.

Lastly, do you have advice for a newbie coming into the industry? Or, any words of wisdom for a long-timer looking for some inspiration?

Number one, this industry is full of opportunity. The most important thing is that you're at a dealership that's in alignment with your core values. Not all dealerships are created equal, and as we like to say here at Volkswagen of Marion, we're #NotLikeTheOtherGuys.

Thank you for sharing all your insights and experiences with me, Ashlee!

👉 Read the complete interview with Ashlee at ASOTU.com. 👀

TOGETHER WITH DEALER IMAGE PRO

Relax and Recharge

Our friends at Dealer Image Pro are not only the top choice for improving dealership imaging and time-to-market, but they also don’t want ASOTU CON attendees to run out of juice!

We’re happy to announce they are sponsoring the ASOTU CON 2023 recharge lounge. Be sure to grab some selfie advice while you’re there, they are the pros after all.

CONTENT RECAP

ICYMI

EMAIL RECAP:

• The Cavender Chevrolet team in Boerne, TX, hosted a unique “Tug A Truck” event to support a local non-profit group dedicated to supporting first responders and their families. 🚒

• The West Herr Auto Group gifted a brand new 2023 Ford Transit Van to the Independent Health Foundation in West New York. 🍇

• The UAW strike continues. Catch up on all the latest developments here, here, and here.

PODCAST RECAP:

We recently caught up with Durran Cage, owner of Cage Automotive in Arlington, TN, to discuss the importance of standing out from the crowd and crafting elevated experiences for others.

👂 Learn more from Durran during his Wednesday panel at ASOTU CON on “Building Career Paths and Spaces for All People to Thrive In.”

SOMETHING FUN

$250 Million Worth of Wheels

When it comes to America’s favorite YouTuber, Mr. Beast, everything has to be totally over-the-top and his latest endeavor is no exception. His most recent video showcases an astonishing collection of cars ranging in value from $1 to $100 MILLION. Here’s the lavish list:

$1 — A rusty shell, long abandoned by society and totally not drivable. That is until MB put $20K into making it run…right off a cliff.

$100K — Tesla Model X. It’s self-driving, which is pretty impressive, but not nearly as much when stacked up to these rides. 👇

$200K — Lamborghini Huracan. A speedy powerhouse with itty bitty living space.

$300K — Rezvani Vengeance. A bullet-proof, explosion-proof SUV for things like picking the kids up from school in a war zone, or dashing out for more milk in a war zone.

$500K — H1-Panther. A Humvee boat-car that you can drive to the marina, and then straight on into the water.

$600K — AirCar V5. A literal flying car.

$1M - Ford GT. Good guy Mr. Beast let his friends have all the fun with this one by letting them race this and several other $1M cars around a track.

$2M — Hyperion XP-1 A Hypercar that runs on hydrogen alone and emits nothing but drinkable water as exhaust.

$10M — Koenigsegg Regera. Customized with crushed diamonds in the paint.

$20M — Carbon Fiber McLaren f1. Owned by former late-night talk show host, Jay Leno.

$30M — 1952 Ferrari 212 Barchetta. Built specifically as a gift for Henry Ford II by Enzo Ferrari.

$50M — 1956 Jaguar XKSS. Previously the daily driver of legendary Hollywood actor Steve McQueen, and the most expensive Jaguar in the world.

$100M — Ferrari 125 S. The very first car to bear the Ferrari name.

Speaking of Mr. Beast…