watchdog

Auto Nation's Mike Jackson Interview - Part II

Every store Auto Nation has purchased failed to perform as well as its previous owner. This smoke and mirrors about share, interest, market percentage, blah blah blah. Fact is their stores were failing before all the oil and real estate trouble began. One particular reason is their refusal to pay for talent. Being in the car business for over 35 years I can tell you without talent you are doomed. It's not like renting videos. Any mention of employment at an Auto Nation store sends good people running like a cat and a garden hose. This theory about moving towards Hi Line import stores is a joke. They will find a way to make those non productive. Read all the stats you want, but I know the history of stores in So Cal , and Auto Nation is a master of ruining them.

Bill Gates Helps Out Autonation

Gates can throw money at the problem, just like the government can throw money at welfare. You can't fix AutoNation because it stinks from the top down. I've been in the business for 30 years turning around dealer operations and found that big auto groups are their own worst enemy. Total mismanagement, bean counters instead of real car people , and the refusal to pay for talent, coupled with nonsense cost cuttings that hurt the profitability of the store. They will never turn around and this is the beginning of the end to group ownerships like Carmax, Sonic etc. and I say good bye, it will be much better for the consumer.