Newsletter + Article Archives

Everything You Need to Know to Be a Successful and Competitive Automotive Dealer in Virginia.

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VADA Live S1:E26 – Pro-Retail Auto Legislation with VADA Legislative & PAC Chair Tim Pohanka

September 16, 2025

Join Dan Carrigan and Tim Pohanka, VADA’s Legislative Chairman for this special edition of VADA Live from VADA’25. In this episode, Tim offers an exclusive look into the impactful work shaping the legislative landscape for Virginia’s auto dealers, emphasizing how VADA’s direct communication and deep understanding of the industry make all the difference in Richmond. The duo also explores why active participation from every dealer is crucial, serving as a powerful force for collective good. To support the VADA Auto and Truck Dealers PAC, visit https://vadapac.com/

A word on Virginia’s auto dealer processing fees

September 15, 2025

As CEO of VADA, I’m often asked about processing fees. Here’s a look at why these fees are essential for transparency, protecting consumer data, and maintaining a competitive free market.

FAQs on July 1 Changes to VA Warranty Reimbursement

September 15, 2025

We recently received questions about changes to VA Code for warranty reimbursements, including how they will affect techs. Here’s the answers.

VADA Live S1:E38 – Preparing for a world beyond SEO with Reunion Marketing’s Chad Graves

September 10, 2025

In this VADA Live special, host Dan Carrigan and @Reunionmarketing’s Chad Graves discuss how dealers can get ahead of AI-driven marketing. Chad emphasizes that AI is a supplement, not a replacement, for human interaction and offers a valuable look into how early adopters are using data to become more efficient, serve their customers better, and prepare for a future where buyers may make decisions without even visiting a website.

VADA Live S1:E37 – Is AI right for your dealership? With Richmond Ford’s Kayla Kody

September 4, 2025

Does artificial intelligence have a place in the automotive industry? In this VADA Live special, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Kayla Kody, Vice President at Richmond Ford Auto Group, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using AI in dealerships. Kayla shares her perspective on how AI can be a powerful “helping hand” to enhance operations and customer experiences, but not a total replacement for the human connection. She also shares the importance of data privacy (if you wouldn’t shout it across the sales floor, don’t input it into ChatGPT!), the most promising applications of AI in both sales and service, and the keys to getting buy-in from your team.

Living In the Digital Age

August 29, 2025

A recent federal court decision could expose dealerships to litigation in states where they don’t have a physical presence. Learn how the “traveling cookie” rule and new state data privacy laws like Maryland’s MODPA are changing the compliance landscape for dealerships nationwide.

VADA LIVE S1:E36 – How NADA is preparing students for AI with Director Michael Hayes

August 27, 2025

On this special episode of VADA Live, Host Dan Carrigan sits down with @NADA Academy Director Michael Hayes. The duo takes a deep dive on all things AI in the retail automotive industry, and how NADA Academy is preparing its students for the dealerships of today and tomorrow.

VADA Live S1: E35 – AI in Fixed Ops with WarrCloud’s Jim Roche

August 20, 2025

Can AI streamline your dealership’s most complex back-office functions? Jim Roche, CEO of WarrCloud, joins Dan Carrigan to explain how AI-powered automation is boosting profitability and efficiency in fixed operations and warranty claims processing, especially with new Virginia laws protecting dealer compensation as of July 1.

Investing in education: the overlooked power of the parts department

August 20, 2025

This month, I went back to the classroom at the NADA Academy to dive deep into a critical, yet often overlooked, area of the dealership: the parts department. After more than 40 years in this business, it was a humbling reminder that there’s always more to learn.