DARRELL STEED / December 31, 2024

Take Charge in the New Year: Revitalizing Your Used Vehicle Operations

As we welcome 2025, a critical question arises for dealerships everywhere: Why continue doing the same thing, expecting different results? Albert Einstein famously defined this as insanity, and yet, many dealers cling to outdated processes that no longer serve them, leading to underperformance and financial loss. This is the year to break free and take charge of your used vehicle operations.

Breaking the 50-Year Cycle

For decades, dealerships have operated in the comfort zone of “tried and true” methods that, in reality, have often been more unsuccessful than successful. The market has shifted, and staying stagnant isn’t just ineffective—it’s a recipe for failure.

Real leaders don’t fear change; they embrace it. They understand that success doesn’t come from avoiding the storm but by facing it head-on. It’s time to break the cycle, step out of your comfort zone, and make the bold decisions that will transform your business.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Focus on Used Vehicles

Data from Cox Automotive, KBB, and Cars.com reinforces that used vehicle operations are the foundation of profitability. As affordability pressures push more buyers toward pre-owned vehicles, those who prioritize used cars will dominate the market. Accurate appraisals, efficient processes, and well-trained teams are no longer optional—they’re essential.

So why do so many dealerships resist change? Why aren’t you investing in the tools, training, and strategies that could drive real results?

Ask Yourself These Hard Questions:

Why do you continue doing what doesn’t work? Comfort is the enemy of progress. If your processes aren’t delivering, it’s time for a reset.

Why don’t you invest in your people? A confident, well-trained team isn’t a cost—it’s an asset that pays dividends in sales and customer satisfaction.

Why wait to innovate? The cost of hesitation is far greater than the investment in change.

Expert Praise for Darrell Steed and Smartwolf Consulting

The industry's top leaders have seen the impact of bold, strategic leadership:

David Long: “Darrell Steed is one of the best trainers I have ever seen in the industry.”

Brian Kramer: “I was amazed at how easy and quick Darrell Steed made the process for the buying centers he has built.”

Scott Biehl: “Darrell Steed is one of the smartest used operations minds in the business, and Smartwolf Consulting was key in growing our operations.”

The Smartwolf Consulting and Street Smarts Solution

At Smartwolf Consulting, we’ve created solutions that break the cycle of inefficiency and mediocrity. Our

Street Smarts Certified program provides the foundation for success in used vehicle operations by focusing on:

Building Systems for Success: Efficient processes for acquisition, trade-ins, and customer engagement.

Investing in People: Empowering your team with training to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Leveraging Data: Utilizing industry insights from trusted sources to stay ahead of the competition.

A Call to Real Leadership

Real leadership is about taking action. It’s about recognizing that the status quo isn’t enough and embracing the storm to emerge stronger on the other side. Dealers who make used vehicle operations a priority and build the right foundation will thrive in 2025.