Dealer Speaks

Retailer achieves success with careful growth — and star power
Sept. 17Three years ago, Jay Feldman rebranded his auto group and has continued to grow sales. This summer he partnered with celebrity Mark Wahlberg to buy a Chevy store in Ohio.

Key to success: 'Employee satisfaction index'
June 18In this wide-ranging Q&A, dealer George Girjel talks about turning around underperforming dealerships and why automakers should favor individuals as store buyers.

Ohio dealer defied parents in career choice, now picks process over innovation
March 19Ohio dealer Joey Huang says his mother cried when she learned he was going into the car business after getting his dental school degree. Two decades later, Huang is making a mark by advocating for minority dealers while preparing for a changing dealership landscape by working to perfect innovations that he shamelessly borrows from others.

Why dealer George Girjel puts people before profits
June 18How do you manage a dealership in Terry Taylor's retail empire? Partner George Girjel, a 40-year-old refugee from Uzbekistan, says creating satisfied employees and customers leads to increased market share and profits. The formula has helped Girjel turn around two struggling Nashville-area dealerships.

Dealer Corina Diehl on stair-step 'insanity,' succession plans and men behaving badly
Dec. 3Pittsburgh-area dealer Corina Diehl has battled heartache and pushback from her peers to become a prominent retailer who is lobbying against controversial incentive programs and taking steps to ensure her business stays in the family.

Dealer's $1B revenue plan: Grow with OEMs, Wahlberg
Sept. 17Michigan dealer Jay Feldman is playing nice with automakers and partnering with the "nicest guy in Hollywood" to boost sales and revenue at Feldman Automotive, which sells Chevrolet, Hyundai and Kia vehicles.