Car Selling Secrets

Scott Lambert, President of the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association joins us in studio to talk about Scott's boldest move, booking the Twin Cities Auto Show at the State Fair. As soon as he announced it, the food vendors lined up to participate. With free parking, great food and Covid protocols, this is destined to be a really exciting event. Tickets will be limited to 10,000 per day. For more info, go to; https://twincitiesautoshow.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The April fool's show reunites Tom and Johnny Rock Lassman. Other than blowing up a 77 Mustang II on the Long Island Expressway, not much car content here but for fans of Twin Cities Radio, is an episode not to miss. Tales of program directors gone awry, life on North Lilac drive and the birth (and death) of the Chucker. These guys haven't seen each other in almost a year and a half and there was lots to catch up on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Davis makes his return to Car Selling Secrets. When he was first on, 1 1/2 years ago, he was about to start his sales career at Walser's Porsche Wichita store. He talks about his love for the brand, selling the most expensive car in company history (1.3 Million) and starting his own podcast. Somehow we wind up talking about Eric Eskola and a couple callers phone in to celebrate their recent sobriety. You never know what's going to happen on Car Selling Secrets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Swanson, General Manager at Walser Hyundai, joins us in studio to talk about cars oddly enough including the red hot product. Along the way we discuss our inglorious start in the business when the world was a different place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Famous local attorney Michael Bryant joins us in studio. After a few minutes of listening to Tom talk about road rage incidents in Palm Beach at the Breakers Golf course, we get down to discussing the ins and outs of the Derek Chauvin trial, how jury selection works, possible pleas and how Covid has affected the jury system. It's actually very interesting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mysterious case of the disappearing guest. What do you do when the phone goes right to voicemail?  Make stuff up and hope for some interesting callers which is exactly what happens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Walser automotive group's Marketing Director Kate Lumsden joins us in the studio. Kate has apparently been car crazy her whole life, drawing cars during school as a little girl. With a degree in graphic design, she happened to answer a blind employment ad and wound up working for the Morries automotive group. She starts to pick on her husband's lifted and loud 20 year old Ram before slips up and reveals she a Wrangler driver who lives out in the country. Not a typical background for automotive marketing but it seems to be going well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, it's the coldest week of the winter so it's a perfect time to talk boats with Dan Chesky from Dan's Southside Marine. We explain to Tom that it's called 'Dock Sailing' not 'Deck sailing. Dan discuses Mercury's new 600 HP V12 outboard that costs 80,000 dollars and can drink three gallons of gas per mile. Tracy Morgan shows up at the end of the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest free episode where we talk about Apple and Hyundai making AV's, Caroll Shelby's AC Cobra selling for 12 million dollars, the ongoing chip shortage hurting production and the jaw-dropping Cadillac Blackwing.... Along the way we hear from Officer Dave and Joe from Louisville, Marvin Gaye and the Beatles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading automotive journalist Cliff Banks joins us to talk about the future of automotive in these changing times including EV's AV's and Hydrogen powered cars. The last 10 minutes inadvertently turned into a commercial for Fuse AutoTech, a software company that will allow a complete digital automotive transaction. For those interested in learning more about the automotive business, I highly recommend subscribing to http://www.thebanksreport.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dayna Landgrebe is our guest this week. Dayna has worked in PR and Communications at Walser for 3 years. She talks about the work done creating an interesting and vibrant culture within the company. She is a founder of the 'Women of Walser' and was instrumental in the creation of the 'Drive with Pride' initiative. She's helped build something very different in the automotive space. She talks about her early work in TV news production and a desire to get into radio where she thought the big money was. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angel Gonzales, General Manager of Walser Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram joins us in studio. Angel talks about his family moving from Panama to escape Noriega, getting talked into joining the army and his accidental recruitment into the car business. We also discuss the Hell Cat Pacifica (not going to happen) and the electric Wrangler (which is going to happen). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you know when your advertising is effective? When someone flies in from New Mexico to buy a car. We are joined by long time KQ and Podcast listener Charlie 'n Albuquerque. Turns out he and Tom likely crossed paths in the record business in the early 70's.  Some great stories for the last show of the year. We will return on January 7th. Here's to hoping for a better year. Happy Holidays to one and all.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom and Doug are joined in studio by Mark Meier and Bill Dehkes, founders of the Face It Foundation. They started the foundation over 10 years ago because of battles with depression. We talk about how the issue disproportionately effects men in their 40s and 50s. Despite the somber topic, it's a very interesting episode and a must listen if you or someone close to you is suffering with this terrible disease. www.faceitfoundation.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A super rare episode where we talk about cars. Winter driving tips for parents and children and when it's cool to do doughnuts with your parents in the car. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As special pre-Thanksgiving edition of Car Selling Secrets. We are joined in studio by Minneapolis mayoral candidate, Philidelphia native who is curiously call L.A. Nik. La talks about his first car, a triple black 64 GTO, his infatuation with Benelli motorcylces,  and his love for Walser car rental service which has allowed him to travel the country in search of the rare and collectable. Also, in an unusual change to the formula due to the non-standard week, have a guest right in the middle.  Coincidentally, Nik was just talking about how people are mean (to use a more polite term than he did).  Grant agrees, and thinks that a return to honor might be in order. THE NEW HONOR CODE: A Simple Plan for Raising Our Standards and Restoring Our Good Names - amzn.to/39dPAYM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Due to recent COVID restrictions, both of our guests joined us via Skype. State Representatives Pat Garofolo and Ryan Winkler join us to talk about COVID vaccines, helping small businesses and the chess game behind the possibility of Amy Kloubuchar joining the Biden administration. We all model adult behavior by having a Democrat, a Republican, a used car salesman and a DJ all get along with no yelling or screaming. This likely due to having Andy Barnard in the room. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry 'Moon' Thompson from KS 95 makes his return to Car Selling Secrets. It's a rollicking conversation the covers the election, SNL, getting fired from radio stations and getting DWIs. We congratulate Moon on 32 years of sobriety which was clearly a good decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twin Cities Radio legend John Hines re-joins us in studio for the November men. Tom, Doug and John are all born in the first few days of the month. We tell stories about when the auto world was centered in Minneapolis along with 90 years of combined radio history in Minnesota. Tom gets mad when he finds out that John has been the recipient of two declarations from the Governor proclaiming "John Hines day." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined in studio with John Heinen and Nick Nichols who are the pilot and co-pilot of A 440 studios. They are promoting their six week live concert series at Southern Theatre. Staples as both performers and behind the scene guru's of the local Minneapolis music scene, A-440 fest serves both the musical community as well as supporting the 30 day foundation which helps families in need. If you need a break from politics and just want to talk about music, this episode is for you. Visit Here- http://www.a440studios.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.