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Mopar Masters Guild Magazine July - August 2026

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Sharing Ideas for a Better Future in the Automotive Industry

July - August 2026 Also In This Issue From the Desk of MMG President Cody Eckhardt ......................................2-3 What Make the Mopar Masters Guild Different?.................................................. 3 Mopar Masters 34th Annual Meeting Tentative Itinerary ...............................4-5 MMG’s FAQ’s ........................................6-7 How Do StrongParts Departments Use Their Time? ..........................................8-9 Tik Tok is No Longer Optional for Car Dealers - Here’s Why! ..................... 10-12 The View From My Office with Kat Monteiro .................................... 13-14 Roadkill Nights - Article and Pictures by Kat Monteiro .................................... 15-21 MMG Supporting Vendors ............ 22-23 OEConnection .................................. 24-27 Activator DS ........................................... 28 Reynolds & Reynolds ............................ 29 Endeavor Business Media FenderBender ......................................... 30 CDK Global ............................................ 31 Elite EXTRA an Epicor Solution....... 32 CDK Global ............................................ 33 AER Sales.......................................... 34-35 Reynolds & Reynolds ............................ 36 Petra Automotive Products ................. 37 Endeavor Business Media Ratchet+Wrench ................................... 38 QB Business Solutions.................... 39-41 Dealermine Corporation ................ 42-43 AutoNetTV ....................................... 44-45 Principle Distribution .................... 46-47 Endeavor B2B - Rebalancing the Collision Ecosystem ......................................... 48-52 Strategy Without Execution is a Hallucination .......................................... 53 Former Ford marketing boss Matt VanDyke takes over Ram brand; ex-AutoNation exec to head Jeep ...................................... 54-55 2026 MMG Executive Officers & Vendor Committees .............................. 56

The exchange of information by like sized dealers in a non-competitive environment.


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From the Desk of Cody Eckhardt MMG President Mopar Masters Guild Members, It’s hard to believe, but our 34th Annual Mee ng is less than 75 days away! By now, you should have your plans underway—and if you haven’t already, it’s me to make your hotel reserva on and complete the registra on form to a end this year’s mee ng in Las Vegas. We’re excited to be hos ng this year’s mee ng at the ARIA Resort & Casino, with our recep on taking place at Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Bar. We have a great few days planned, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas and connuing the conversa ons and rela onships that make the Mopar Masters Guild so valuable. Following this message, you’ll find the tenta ve i nerary, along with the links to reserve your hotel room and the form to register for the mee ng. Please take a few minutes to get those completed so we can make sure we’re prepared for another great MMG event. We also recently had the opportunity to meet with Helm and the Stellan s team during Roadkill Nights. It was a great opportunity to connect, discuss what’s happening in our business, and con nue building the rela onship between the Guild and our partners. Kat Monteiro’s “View from My Office” will provide more details from the event, along with some great pictures. I have also had the opportunity to speak with several of our current Guild members about their upcoming re rement plans. As an organiza on that has been successful for more than three decades, one of our biggest responsibili es is making sure that success con nues well into the future. As we begin to turn the page and welcome the next genera on of leaders into our industry, I would encourage those of you who are part of the “re rement club” to start thinking about your replacement. Invite the manager who will be stepping into your shoes to a end an MMG mee ng. Give them the opportunity to experience firsthand what this organiza on is all about, meet the other members, and begin building the rela onships and knowledge that have made the Guild so successful. The future of the Mopar Masters Guild depends on our willingness to bring the next genera on along with us. Let’s make sure we don’t just pass along the keys—we pass along the rela onships, knowledge, and spirit of the Guild that come with them. Finally, if you’re reading this and thinking, “I really should be a Mopar Masters Guild member,” you’re right! Don’t miss out on what makes this organiza on different: “The Exchange of Informa on by Like-Sized Dealers in a Non-Compe ve Environment.” The rela onships, ideas, and informa on shared among our members are what make the MMG such a unique and valuable organiza on. Continued on Page 3

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Continued from Page 2 If you’re not a member yet, sign up today! Contact our Secretary, John Russo, at jrusso@comeseeclay.com for detailed informa on on membership and how you can join us and be part of our yearly Mopar Masters Guild events. I look forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas! Regards,

Cody Cody Eckhardt - President – Mopar Masters Guild Service Director – Ken Garff West Valley CDJR - codye@KenGarff.com

For more than 34 years, the Mopar Masters Guild has brought together leading Parts and Service Managers from like-sized Stellan s dealers to share informa on, experience, ideas and rela onships in a non-compe ve environment. WHAT MAKES THE MMG DIFFERENT? THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BY LIKE-SIZED DEALERS IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT. That simple idea is what has made the Guild successful for more than three decades. MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO: 

Exchange ideas with Parts & Service Managers facing the same challenges you are.

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Learn from your peers and share proven solu ons.

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Build rela onships with Parts Managers throughout the Stellan s dealer network.

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Connect with industry partners and key suppor ng vendors.

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Stay informed about issues affec ng our Departments and our business.

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Build a network of trusted colleagues you can call when you need informa on or advice.

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Be part of an organiza on dedicated to the con nued success of our industry.

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Mopar Masters 34th Annual Mee ng Tenta ve I nerary - Las Vegas 2026 Aria Resort 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89158 (866) 359-7757 Hotel Reserva on Link (Click Here) Registra on* Link to A end our MMG Mee ng (Click Here) *You MUST be a qualified Stellan s Dealer with a PAID MMG Membership to a end

Wednesday November 4th, 2026 A endee Arrival - We will gather in a designated area to catch up on the past year Direc ons to our mee ng room: From the casino/hotel, follow signs for the Conven on Center. Con nue toward the West Conven on Center and take the elevators/escalators to Level 3. Follow signs for the Starvine Mee ng Rooms - Mee ng will be in Starvine 11 Meals right next door in the meals room, Starvine 10

Thursday November 5th, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am 8:00am - 9:00am

Breakfast - Starvine 10 MMG Discussions Begin Opening Comments - MMG President Cody Eckhardt Introduc on of Reports - VP Jim Jaeger Secretary’s Presenta on of Minutes - John Russo Treasurers’ Report - Chris Hojnacki Commi ee Reports Guild Business Old/New 9:00am - 9:15am Break 9:15am - 10:15am MMG Discussions Con nue 10:15am - 10:30pm Break 10:15am - 12:00pm MMG Discussions Con nue 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch - Starvine 10 1:00pm - 1:30pm MMG Discussions Con nue 1:30pm - 2:05pm Vendor Presenta on - Snap-On Business Solu ons

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts Continued from Page 4 2:05pm - 2:15pm Q&A with Snap-On Break Vendor Presenta on - Helm Q&A with Helm Break Vendor Presena on - AER Sales Q&A with AER Sales MMG Discussions Con nue Adjourn Day 1 Mee ng

2:15pm - 2:25pm 2:30pm - 3:05pm 3:05pm - 3:15pm 3:15pm - 3:25pm 3:30pm - 4:05pm 4:05pm - 4:15pm 4:15pm - 5:00pm 5:00pm

Friday November 6th, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am 8:00am - 8:50am 8:50am - 9:00am 9:00am - 9:35am 9:35am - 9:45am 9:45am - 9:55am 10:00am - 10:35am 10:35am - 10:50am 10:50am - 11:00am 11:00am - 11:30am 11:30am - 1:30pm 1:30pm - 2:00pm 2:00pm - 2:35pm 2:35pm - 2:45pm 2:45pm - 3:00pm 3:00pm - 3:35pm 3:35pm - 3:45pm 3:45pm - 3:55pm 3:55pm - 5:00pm 5:00pm

Breakfast - Starvine 10 MMG Discussions Con nue Break Vendor Presenta on - OEConnec on Q&A with OEConnec on Break Vendor Presenta on - CDK Global Q&A with CDK Global Break Tier 2 Vendor Introduc ons Dine Around Lunch with Tier 2 Vendor Table Presenta ons MMG Recap Vendor Presenta on - Reynolds & Reynolds Q&A with Reynolds & Reynolds Break Vendor Presenta on - Elite Extra - Epicor Q&A with Elite Extra - Epicor Break MMG Discussions Con nue Adjourn Day 2 Mee ng

Friday Evening - Annual MMG Recep on 6:00pm - 9:00pm - Howl at The Moon - Transporta on will be provided!

Saturday November 7th, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am 8:00am - 8:50am 8:50am - 9:00am 9:00am 11:00am

Breakfast MMG Discussions Con nue Break Discussions With Mopar Execu ves Adjourn – End of Mopar Masters Guild’s 34th Annual Mee ng

Safe Travels Home! The exchange of information by like sized dealers in a non-competitive environment.

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MMG FAQ’s Whether you are a long- me member, just recently joined, or s ll considering involvement, the Mopar Masters Guild offers something for every dealership. I would like to send a quick note to address some of the quesons you may have: Ques on: Is the Mopar Masters Guild operated by Mopar? Answer: No… The Mopar Masters Guild is made up of dealership Parts Managers, Service Managers and Fixed Ops Directors. Ques on: How does a dealership qualify to be a member of the Mopar Masters Guild? Answer: Mopar dealers that are ranked in the top 200 purchasing dealers in the U.S., as reported by Mopar, qualify to be members of the Mopar Masters Guild. Once you are a member, as long as you maintain your dues, you will remain a member. Ques on: What are the annual dues and what do my dues help fund? Answer: The annual membership dues are $250. These dues help to fund the Guild’s website, bimonthly magazine, dealership employee forum, mee ngs and events, and conference call lines to discuss various policies and procedure changes being considered by Mopar. Member dues cover about 5% of our annual budget. Ques on: Once I am a member what should I do next? Answer: Please make sure you have visited our website. It provides a place where you are able to get your own ques ons answered. Secondly, our website is also where you will find the most recent copy of the MMG Magazine and any upcoming mee ngs and events. Ques on: What other benefits are there to the group? Answer: The Guild leaders are in constant communica on with the Mopar management team to communicate how policies may affect our business. In the past, these conversa ons have helped mold programs that help Mopar and all dealerships. Another benefit: the rela onships you develop over me. With membership in the Guild you gain access to managers at the largest dealerships in the country. This value is only realized if you reach out to other members. The best way to start doing this is through u lizing the website. Like you, the leadership of the Mopar Masters Guild operates large parts, and in many cases, service operaons. It is our goal to improve communica on with our member body over the coming year. Continued on Page 7

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts Continued from Page 6 If you are a new member, please reach out to me and I will have one of our members contact you to make sure your store maximizes what the group has to offer. If you have been unsure about joining the group, please contact me or one of the execu ve commi ee members in your area and we would be glad to discuss whether the Guild is right for you. The guild has made it possible for all Mopar Masters members to enjoy these benefits, which amount to a compe ve advantage for your business. What do you need to bring with you to our mee ngs? Just a willingness to par cipate and share your knowledge and perspec ve. If you are a Mopar Master, you have something to offer the guild. Some mes the simplest idea, the one you were even a li le embarrassed to men on, is just what another member needed to hear. Cody Eckhardt – President – Mopar Masters Guild Codye@kengarff.com

2026 Mopar Masters Guild Execu ve Officers President Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT V. Pres - Jim Jaeger – Team CDJR – Merrillville, IN Secretary - John Russo - Clay Cooley CDJR - Dallas, TX Treasurer – Chris Hojnacki – Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

2026 Mopar Masters Guild Execu ve Commi ee Dan Hu on - Tom O’Brien DCJR - Greenwood, IN Alan Yancey - Hayes CDJ - Alto, GA Rick Cutaia - Rick Hendrick DCJR – Charleston, SC Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN Joe McBeth - Clay Cooley CDJR - Dallas, TX

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How Do Strong Parts Departments Use Their Time? Strong parts departments do not rely on month-end statements, outdated reports, or intui on alone. They consistently review sales, train their teams, understand how their DMS works, and separate produc ve inventory from capital that is no longer genera ng an adequate return. Chuck outlined several prac ces that dis nguish high-performing parts opera ons, including stronger department rela onships, more accurate inventory repor ng, regular pricing reviews, and a proac ve approach to obsolescence. Time is one of the most limited resources inside a parts opera on. Managers must balance time to sell, manage, train, and measure performance. When staffing shortages force leaders to deliver parts, receive orders, or cover the counter, the work required to improve the department often gets postponed. Why Must Managers Understand Their DMS Reports? A DMS can provide valuable informa on, but only when managers understand how its reports and se ngs work. Parts departments some mes accept that a system cannot produce a certain report when the capability may already exist. The challenge is o en finding the right setup, report builder, or support representative. Wai ng un l the financial statement arrives at the end of the month can reveal problems too late to correct them. Daily or weekly reviews allow managers to spot declining margins, weak sales categories, and unusual pricing ac vity while there is s ll me to respond. DMS migra ons also require careful prepara on. Changing systems can temporarily reduce produc vity because employees must learn new processes, terminology, and repor ng func ons. How Can Pricing Reviews Protect Gross Profit? Parts pricing should not remain unchanged for years. Manufacturers regularly increase acquisi on costs. When dealerships leave menu-priced parts at the same selling price, gross profit gradually declines even when sales volume remains stable. Retail matrixes must also be reviewed for realism. If advisors repeatedly override prices in the same cost ranges, the matrix may be too aggressive. Raising prices elsewhere will not solve the problem if employees and customers consistently reject the calculated amount. Managers should review: 

Menu-priced items

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Matrix performance

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Override reports Continued on Page 9

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Continued from Page 8 

Gross profit by individual part number

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The percentage of retail sales actually receiving matrix pricing

Pricing should be adjusted gradually based on costs, customer response, market compe ment’s required gross profit.

on, and the depart-

How Should Obsolete Inventory Be Measured? Months without a sale do not provide a complete picture of obsolescence. A part may show no sale for 20 months but have been purchased only 60 days ago. It may be a recent special order, a newly received re, or another item that has not had enough me to become genuinely obsolete. Months without a receipt can also be misleading. A department may s ll be selling an item even though it has not purchased another unit for a year because it originally bought too much. Managers should also separate inventory into protected, non-protected, and non-OE categories. Non-protected inventory deserves par cular a en on because it creates the greatest exposure to future obsolescence. Poten al obsolete growth can be forecast by reviewing inventory aged 7 to 12 months. Chuck explained that once a part reaches this range, its probability of reaching the 13th month increases substan ally. Conclusion The best parts departments are proac ve in both sales and inventory management. They train their people, review performance throughout the month, understand the limita ons and capabili es of their DMS, and measure inventory using data that reflects the dealership’s actual financial exposure. Consistent repor ng gives managers enough visibility to respond before small pricing, staffing, or inventory issues become expensive problems. Watch the Video Here! h ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af4m0xIYZd4&t=809s Source: Parts Edge Blog - h ps://www.partsedge.com/blog

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TikTok is no longer optional for car dealers. Here’s why. TikTok is no longer just a curiosity for dealerships. It is a powerful, mainstream adver sing tool that helps a growing number of sellers boost sales and marke ng, build community and fill open posi ons. A er the pla orm launched in the U.S. in 2017 with influencers relying heavily on humorous or thoughtprovoking short videos, some dealership employees and managers began experimen ng, crea ng content to a ract younger shoppers. TikTok has joined Google, Facebook and Instagram in many dealership adver sing and marke ng plans because it con nues to cul vate a younger demographic. What dealerships must know about FTC rules for TikTok and social media posts “It’s trying to reach that younger genera on of buyer. When we look at the demographic of who is on TikTok, Gen Zers are very much a part of that,” said Ashley Cavazos, a dealership marke ng veteran and consultant with NCM Associates. What began as experimenta on has become a dealer best prac ce. Those that became early TikTok adopters report measurable sales and service increases. TikTok has proved especially good at reaching buyers at the start of their shopping journey. Dealerships rely on TikTok for videos of inventory, content from salespeople, brand awareness and compe ve adver sing, said Eleni Johnson, vice president of SmartDigital at JD Power, which helps automo ve manufacturers set online strategy. “The buzz is real around TikTok,” she said. TikTok launched TikTok Automotive Ads in 2025, a dealership-focused service that matches relevant vehicle models, offers and live inventory with users based on their interests and behaviors, said Kristina Karassoulis, head of auto for TikTok UK. Dealership groups and automo ve marketplaces partnered with TikTok to develop the product in the U.S. and globally. It helped promote dealers’ live vehicle inventory, pricing and offers “at scale” without much setup or opera onal overhead, Karassoulis said. TikTok does not disclose the number of dealers using the site in the U.S. or the number of vehicles they’ve sold, but the company claims strong adop on. Publicly available data shows “dealer performance has been par cularly strong,” Karassoulis said. Paid and organic social media — a category that includes TikTok — has grown 1 to 4 percentage points as a referral channel to dealer websites over the past year, Johnson said. An early TikTok pioneer is showing dealerships the way forward Russell Richardson, a former sales associate, said he tripled his sales while working at Biondi Lincoln in Monroeville, Pa., five years ago by crea ng short, humorous videos for TikTok and other pla orms. Continued on Page 11

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Continued from Page 10 Since April 2025, he advises dealerships globally on how to use social media. He has more than 1.5 million combined followers, 780,000 on TikTok alone. TikTok “was like a ghost town for car salespeople and car dealers when I started,” Richardson said. “Now you’re seeing dealers all over the country [using it]. Some are hiring people, and some are doing it on their own.” Others are seeing similar growth. Just a handful of TurnKey Marke ng’s dealership clients used TikTok seven years ago. Today, that number has grown to at least a few hundred, said Drake Baerresen, CMO of the Corona, Calif., firm. Dealership TikTok use has grown from a handful to several hundred clients in the past year, said Kris Vigil, senior director for product opera ons at DAS Technology, of Sco sdale, Ariz. TikTok is “very invested” in automo ve and has a good product, Vigil said. Conversely, about 20 dealership clients of marke ng firm Dealers United are adver sing on TikTok — down from about 40 two years ago, said Meg Hughes-Ri er, director of the social ad performance team at the Sarasota, Fla. firm. “It just means that it’s not for everyone,” Hughes-Ri er said. “TikTok is a channel that should be a part of a dealer’s adver sing puzzle” along with other pla orms such as Meta, Google and YouTube, she said. TikTok evolves from experimenta on to rou ne

Lindsberg Pe way Jr. is a dealership TikTok success story.

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Continued from Page 11 The floor manager with Feldman Automo ve in Livonia, Mich., joined TikTok in 2022 and was an early adopter of using the pla orm to sell cars. Pe way has about 50,000 followers and considers TikTok vital to his brand. His personal approach online attracts at least three customers a month to the store to shop for cars with him, he said. The videos give customers ”a perspec ve of who I am,” Pe way said. Feldman Automo ve joined TikTok roughly 18 months ago, buoyed by Pe way’s success. “People always have their phone in their hand and this is where you’re going to capture your biggest audience,” he said. Not just for selling A TikTok audience also is useful for more than just adver sing, dealerships such as Rohrman Automo ve in Lafaye e, Ind., learned. Aus n Conroy, Rohrman regional fixed opera ons director, started his own TikTok account in September 2024. Known as @dealerplateguy, the account has nearly 115,000 followers. Conroy’s videos tell stories about life in the service department and have become an unexpected resource to fill vacant auto technician posi ons. “I don’t have an issue with hiring technicians anymore,” said Conroy. Rohrman-specific TikTok videos, launched separately from Conroy’s account, are more promo onal — featuring periodic specials such as a $50 oil change. “We had all of these people pos ng on TikTok and Facebook and Instagram and all of the different pla orms about the $50 oil change,” Conroy said. “That has driven a significant amount of business.” Seeing the future — now Customers are increasingly relying on TikTok and other social media to at least begin shopping for a new vehicle. Dealerships that hesitate when considering joining the pla orm face some stark choices, Richardson said. “You’re either going to get on it,” Richardson said, “or get le behind.” Source: www.AutoNews.com - Ar cle by Mark Hollmer

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The View From My Office With Kat Monteiro Hello from sunny and warm California! Summer is in full force here. It has been nice. We had a fantas c tomato harvest, my peppers are s ll going strong, and the pool has been wonderful. Every me I complain about it being too hot Rick reminds me that it is summer me and that it is nice, it feels good. And he is right. Somemes I forget to embrace the good weather we are blessed with here in Southern California. I see on the news all the rainstorms, tornados, and flooding - many that have affected our friends - and it reminds me that I have nothing to complain about. Who can complain about a few hot days when most days all year round are pre y much perfect? So, I am embracing summer! This season is going by so fast! Hard to believe that kids are already heading back to school, their summer fun coming to an end. They would be jealous knowing that when we were kids we didn’t go back to school ll a er the Labor Day Holiday! Since the last issue of the Mopar Master’s Guild newsle er we have traveled to Atlanta, Georgia - New Hampshire, and Detroit, Michigan! Atlanta was great! We stayed with Alan and Wanda Yancey. We had a great group of friends who all got together at the Yancey’s beau ful home in Lawrenceville. Marvin and Laura Windham, Don and Gerolyn Benner, Rick and I, and the Yanceys! We had too many laughs to count, and there was not a moment that was silent. We played games, hung out by the pool un l a thunderstorm chased us inside, went to the College Football Hall of Fame, The State Capitol, and had a beau ful lunch at the Montaluce Winery up in the Smokey Mountains. And of course, Rick and Alan fit in a round of golf! Alan and Wanda live on a beau ful piece of property that Alan’s mom and dad owned. He has lived on this property his whole life! When he and Wanda married, they started building their house, bit by bit, un l pu ng the final finishes on it this past year with a beau ful new kitchen remodel for Wanda. And if y’all know Wanda she loves to cook, so seeing her in her new space and how happy it makes her was wonderful. My favorite part was riding along with Alan on the u lity tractor around the property, stopping and picking fresh blueberries off the bushes, and Rick ge ng out and picking a peach off one of the trees. OMG! Best peach I have ever tasted!! It was perfectly ripe, and so juicy!! Now I am a believer in why Georgia is all about their peaches! Continued on Page 14

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Continued from Page 13 It’s mes like these, hanging with good friends that always brings me back to thanking the Mopar Masters Guild for all these special friendships - hanging out with people I would have never met if it wasn’t for the Guild. New Hampshire was so much fun! We stayed with Rick’s best friend Randy’s daughter’s family on Lake Winnisquam in Laconia. It was amazing! Days spent out on the boat, a raging Fourth of July party, and floa ng in the lake taking the edge off the warm day. It was just beau ful. Rick played golf one day, so he was able to knock New Hampshire off his list! When we le the lake house we traveled to Cape Cod for a few days with Randy. We had to go get our lobster fix! We camped along the canal, and we were treated to the big Sail Ships going through on their way to Boston from New York. I am sure y’all saw the event on the news, it was quite the big deal. It was so cool! Then it was to Massachuse s for a few days. Rick played another round of golf over in Rhode Island, so one more check mark. It was such a great trip. So happy this is a place we can go and spend some me. Then it was off to Detroit! And what a great me we had!

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From the Boardroom to Woodward Avenue The MMG Experience in Detroit – Stellan s, Helm & Roadkill Nights

The whole purpose of this trip was because the Mopar Masters were invited to a mee ng with Stellan s and our suppor ng vendor Helm. But our theory is that you can’t go all that way and not have some fun! We got there Wednesday evening. Our daughter Terra joined us; she arrived earlier and rented a car. How nice it was to have a chauffeur! Thursday Rick met up with John Springer for a round of golf while Terra and I went to Canada for lunch. While in Canada we went to the Avia on Museum then walked the river walk sculpture trail. We had lunch on the river with a view of Detroit. It was pre y cool to drive across the new bridge that connects our 2 countries, it was beau ful. Continued on Page 16

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That evening we met up with Dan and Jamie Hu on and went over to the Moose Preserve for dinner.

Friday was mee ng day. From the Mopar Masters we had Cody Eckardt, Dan Hu on, Chris Hojnacki, Jim Jaeger, Rick Monteiro, and Steve Anderson. Chris White from Stellan s and Ryan Maguire from Helm ran the mee ng. From what I heard it was a success! What an honor it is to be invited to Stellan s’ headquarters and to have a mee ng with the people in charge. A perfect me to ask ques ons and to be heard. And for them to have their ears open to our ideas. A me when they can inform us of what is coming in the future and what changes and challenges are ahead of us. I know it can be frustra ng that things don’t happen faster, but to be able to state our concerns about our industry with people who can make a difference is what is special about the Mopar Masters Guild. They have spent years fostering rela onships with Mopar and vendors, and the payoff is ge ng invited to mee ngs like these. It’s always be er when we work together. When I asked our Mopar Masters Guild President, Cody Eckardt what he thought about how the mee ng went, he said this - “It was produc ve! Any me we can have open dialogue with Stellan s or our vendors, produc ve things happen.”

Will change happen tomorrow? Probably not, but at least we were able to voice our concerns and now they will have that li le bug in their ear and hopefully will choose to implement some of those ideas in the future. And I have to say they went all out on the swag bags! They made hats with the MMG logo and the founding date, 3 different shirts, a nice leather notebook, and VIP passes to Saturday’s Roadkill Nights! Continued on Page 17

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And to top it off they took us to dinner on Friday night at Vinse a Garage! They even welcomed Jamie, Terra and me. And the food was off the hook! It was a fun evening. I enjoyed mee ng Courtney Compagnoni from Helm and Dus n Pedley from Stellan s and Evan, from New Hampshire! Terra and I talked his ear off because he was si ng across from us! It was such a fun night. And I want to give a shout out to Courtney for making it even more special by bringing flowers from her garden and filling up li le glass vases with a Mopar Masters tag on the table. We brought them back to our hotel and enjoyed them very much. Jamie got to take hers home because they drove. It was such a

nice touch.

Saturday morning had Rick and Chris off to play a round of golf. Terra and I picked up Cody and Steve and we headed over to the event. Chris and Rick would meet up over at the event later in the day. That parking pass was so appreciated; it got us right up close to the gate. Continued on Page 18

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Now let’s get to the VIP passes for Roadkill Nights! I feel extremely honored that Mopar and Helm made sure there were enough passes and drink ckets for all of us! And we also were given a VIP parking pass - amazing! First thing, we headed over to the M1 Concourse for a dri ing ride along in some new Chargers!

Oh! here is what I need to men on, the second-best thing next to the VIP passes that were given to us were the Front of the Line passes they also gave out! Wow! Did I feel like someone special! The 4 of us passed right by the long line, straight up to the cars. It was amazing! And it was such a fun ride! I tried to get my driver to keep going for another round! A erwards we walked around and looked at amazing cars, some really beau ful classics, and in the new car area we got to see the new Super Bee Charger 2 door! Oh, my it is so beau ful.

Then it was over to the VIP area powered by Dodge. Here we met up with Dan and Jamie. It was right along Woodward Avenue, where they closed down the street, and had street drag racing.

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Continued from Page 18

Continued on Page 20

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Continued from Page 19

This was so fun to watch. Cars, all makes, models, new, old, all with different modifica ons, or just as they came from the showroom. It was nice to have an area to sit in a chair at a table, in the shade. There was free water and soda, and Ryan hooked us up with ckets for beer or wine. Then the day got even be er when they brought out lunch! And when evening came around, they brought out dinner. It made this event so much more fun and enjoyable by having the privilege of being able to enter the VIP area. The whole day was just so exciting! I can’t thank Stellan s and Helm enough for including us in such a great event.

Continued on Page 21

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Continued from Page 20

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, and you have made some good memories and have good stories of your own to tell.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming mee ng in Vegas. It will be here before you know it!

Kat

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Our Supporting Vendors: Support those who support you.

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July - August 2026

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Our Supporting Vendors: Support those who support you The exchange of information by like sized dealers in a non-competitive environment.


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July - August 2026

Set Your Parts Department up for Growth

The OEC CollisionLink® and RepairLinkSM parts order management platforms are designed to set your parts department up for growth! Easily connect with shops & buyers and earn automatic, OEM-backed reimbursements on eligible parts. Plus, streamline your parts operations with easy-to-access customer sales trends & reports, targeted marketing campaigns, secure online parts transactions, and DMS integration – all through RepairLink and CollisionLink! Here’s a look at how Mopar dealers leveraged CollisionLink and RepairLink to sell more parts in 2025 (year-over year increase):

Increase in Mopar Dealers

More Mopar dealers got onboard – and more shops ordered genuine parts online

Mopar dealer monthly reimbursements increased through CollisionLink and RepairLink

Increase in Shops Ordering

11.4%

13.3%

12.6%

13.6%

CollisionLink

RepairLink

CollisionLink

RepairLink

Increase in monthly reimbursements

Average total monthly reimbursements

CollisionLink

84.2%

$7.4M all Mopar Dealers $8.7K per dealer

RepairLink

59.8%

$409K all Mopar Dealers $360 per dealer

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Scan the QR Codes to get started today:

CollisionLink

RepairLink

Plus, Mopar recently refreshed the Match the Estimate Program on CollisionLink & TraxCollision, creating even more opportunities to increase collision parts sales with more benefits than ever before! Scan the QR code or visit go.oeconnection.com/mopar-match-the-estimate-program to get all the program details, watch the recent webinar, download resources, & more! GUIDE

‫ڑ‬ԐԎԐԖր‫ڑ‬ ƥ̻ɒǸʹɤɒ‫ڑ‬ʅ̇ͅ

e Guide to The Ultimat ur Parts Optimizing Yo Department try repair indus otive parts & solutions in the autom strategies and If one thing nt. That means ’s environme it’s change. tive in today is constant, efficient parts not be as effec ss to run an in the past may – a simple proce that worked accuracy, parts rarely – if ever factor in order it’s that e. When you le know the list goes counter peop ess trends... become a hassl can quickly Veteran parts s insights & busin order sales from a little ng Managing parts could benefit atibility, missi department. department system comp , parts ssing your ent proce workflow. areas where availability, paym a connected e are just a few orting Thes supp up. and s pile g operations on and the issue s streamlinin ր – and that mean Ǹˋɤ‫ڑ‬ʧ˷‫ڑ‬ԐԎԐԖ optimization ‫ʹڑ‬ʔǸʹ‫ڑ‬ζ̇΃‫ڑ‬ɆǸ˷‫˰ڑ‬ ʧ̻‫ʹ̻̇ڑ‬ʧ˰ʧύǸʹʧ̇˷ ʧ̻ͣ‫ڑ‬ʅ̇ͅ‫ڑ‬ɒɤǸ˓ɤͣͅʔ ¡ɤͅɤ‫ڑ‬Ǹͅɤ‫ڑ‬Ǹ‫ڑ‬ʅɤΨ‫ʹڑ‬ mline the

1

transactions Online parts

the ncements within ological adva orn For all the techn still a few stubb try, there are example: automotive indus in the past. One remain stuck r is waiting for processes that Whether a deale ns. actio clear, it’s parts trans k to arrive or ry or for a chec etitive delive on comp a cash s dealers at ss that leave a dated proce disadvantage. de a secure, provi ions payments solut shops Available online for dealers and friendly way rtments, fast, and userFor parts depa transactions. to complete provide ents solutions paym e onlin for ly way Available and user-friend ns. a secure, fast, lete transactio shops to comp dealers and

ies to strea new opportunit while this creates on processes and reconciliati procurement al activities. consuming manu reducing timenot ents solution paym ated an autom tions, Switching to wholesale opera efficiency into process. only helps drive e transaction or des a more secur but also provi card numbers down credit n writte no e transactions This means lating to secur trans ks, missing chec mers safe. and your custo that keep you will ion solut payment right online parts user friendly, Overall, the re, efficient, boxes: Secu could do check all the what your team tive. Just think actions and cost effec by manual trans just bogged down if they weren’t ase in efficiency incre The payments. or waiting on go a long way. would s alone for receivable sactions quick

ly, you make i

Check out the 2026 Guide to Optimizing Your Parts Department on the next page for additional opportunities to grow your parts and wholesale business. Visit OEConnection.com to learn more about our full offering of solutions.

the our day

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July - August 2026

The 2026 Guide to Optimizing Your Parts Department Between order accuracy, payment processing, system compatibility, and tracking customer trends, you know small inefficiencies add up quickly and even well-run parts departments can improve. The good news? There are targeted solutions designed to help dealers fill in the gaps in their processes and strategy. And they don’t require you to reinvent your operations, but rather strengthen what already works. Here’s what we’re talking about:

Faster Transactions, Less Manual Work Waiting on checks or cash on delivery is a dated process that puts your department at a disadvantage. Online payment solutions offer a secure, faster alternative that reduces manual work, eliminates risks like written-down credit card numbers or missing payments, and speeds up the receivables process. When transactions move faster, so does everything else.

Know Your Numbers, Grow Your Business If you don’t know your numbers, you don’t know your business. Existing business intelligence tools designed for parts wholesales go beyond basic sales figures, they surface customer behavior trends, flag declining order volume (before it’s an issue), and deliver insights through interactive dashboards your team can easily leverage. The result? More confident, data-backed decisions for you and your outside sales reps.

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Reach New Customers, Retain the Ones You Already Have Staying connected with current shops and reaching potential new customers is critical but rarely rises to the top of a busy parts department’s priority list. Targeted email marketing solutions handle that outreach for you, encouraging new customer connections, building loyalty with existing accounts, and delivering personalized messaging based on parts ordering behavior. Plus, monthly reporting keeps you up to speed on campaign performance.

Connected Systems Mean Fewer Errors and Less Rework Disconnected systems create workarounds, which often lead to manual tasks that increase errors. Integrating your online parts solutions with your DMS supports automated quoting, accurate inventory visibility, and fewer returns. When your systems talk to each other, your team spends less time troubleshooting and more time focused on customers and sales.

What Parts Department Optimization Really Means

Parts department optimization isn’t about sweeping changes, but rather about removing the roadblocks that slow your team down. Your people have the expertise. These solutions put them in a better position to use it. Scan the QR code for insights into solutions that support a complete parts sales process.

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July - August 2026

Free Data Analysis

Turn Data Chaos Into Dealer Growth Activator powers smarter dealership marketing with a CDP built for automotive. Our CDP with Data Management Layer refines customer data for accuracy, while Audience Studio helps you reach active shoppers and re-engage past customers. Use trusted data to launch Multichannel Marketing Campaigns and personalize your marketing further with Custom Campaigns that drive engagement, loyalty, and revenue. Get real activation and start seeing results within 30 days.

Ready to turn your data into real relationships? Early access pricing is live now: www.activator.ai/cdp-early-access

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Experience Intelligence a t E v e r y To u c h p o i n t

With incomplete data, AI tools do the wrong thing. Change the game with Spark AI, the industry’s only unified AI data layer.

Scan the QR code to learn more or visit reyrey.com/spark-ai.

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July - August 2026

READ WHY TOP DEALERS ADVERTISE IN FENDERBENDER ADVERTISING IN FENDERBENDER IS EASY, EFFECTIVE, & AFFORDABLE

40,000+ 127,500+ T O TA L C I R C U L AT I O N * *

7 2 7$ / & , 5 & 8 / $7 , 2 1 : , 7 + 3$ 6 6 ǫ $ / 2 1 *

(Average subscriber passes along to 2 or more additional readers*)

Partnering with FenderBender reshaped our wholesale marketing. They helped us build visibility, strengthen our brand, and connect us directly with body shops looking for a reliable collision parts supplier. DAVID KISER PARTS DIRECTOR Spartanburg Dodge

LEARN MORE

GROWPARTS.FENDERBENDER.COM

*2024 FenderBender Readership Study **Publisher’s Circulation Data

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July - August 2026

CONSIDER THIS YOUR GAME-WINNING DRIVE KICK OFF A GREAT YEAR WITH THE TEXAS TOUCHDOWN GIVEAWAY! EARN YOUR ENTRY FOR SEATS TO A COWBOYS GAME. PROMOTION PERIOD: JANUARY 1 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 Purchase any qualifying Mopar® Powertrain Unit and you can enter for a chance to win. You’ve got nine months of chances to win just for buying the powertrain units you already need. THERE WILL BE SIX WINNERS: • Each winner can bring one guest • Round-trip airfare, hotel stay and two premium Dallas Cowboys tickets are all included PLUS: Exclusive AER remanufacturing plant tour in Carrollton, TX *DPH GDWH ZLOO EH LQ 1RYHPEHU RU 'HFHPEHU SHQGLQJ ¿QDO OHDJXH VFKHGXOLQJ Don’t miss your chance to experience THIS MEGA FAN EVENT on us! Brought to you by AER & Mopar Powertrain Network.

Order a Powertrain unit from your local Mopar Powertrain dealer and submit your entry at AERgiveaway.com. The more you buy, the more chances to win!

©2025 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Mopar are registered trademarks of FCA LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A. used under license by FCA US LLC.

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AER/FJE Sales Rep Contact List Sales Rep

CO

Cell Phone

Position

Email

Territory

John Springer

AER

945-298-7080

National Program Manager

National

Jason Evans

AER

503-894-1641

Business Center Lead

Bill Ivy

AER

925-334-0758

Business Center Lead

Adam Carroll

AER

303-330-4133

Sales Representative

Aldo Scalise

AER

724-698-3311

Sales Representative

johnspringer@aermfg.com jasonevans@aermfg.com billivy@aermfg.com adamcarroll@aermfg.com aldoscalise@aermfg.com andrewbritto@aermfg.com bobbyscalise@aermfg.com brycemangham@aermfg.com davidlopez@aermfg.com davidrodriguez@aermfg.com dirkkruiswyk@aermfg.com doncoy@aermfg.com

Andrew Britto

AER

857-272-9405

Sales Representative

Bobby Scalise

AER

571-215-5363

Sales Representative

Bryce Mangham

AER

945-446-1811

Sales Representative

David Lopez

AER

469-346-6624

Sales Representative

David Rodriguez

AER

281-898-8599

Sales Representative

Dirk Kruiswyk

AER

206-487-6054

Sales Representative

Don Coy

AER

916-634-8685

Sales Representative

Eric Aristizabal

AER

205-542-6249

Sales Representative

Eric Stracener

FJE

480-861-9414

Sales Representative

Evan Pruitt

AER

513-596-3188

Sales Representative

James Kammerdiener

FJE

678-848-4257

Sales Representative

Jennifer Del Bosco

FJE

909-702-9592

Sales Representative

Jennifer Robinson

AER

862-333-9399

Sales Representative

Justin Gonzalez

FJE

704-421-3119

Sales Representative

Kelvin Knaff

AER

816-918-4401

Sales Representative

Matt Ballentine

FJE

704-450-5476

Sales Representative

Mark Kourofsky

AER

816-614-0590

Sales Representative

Pat O'Brien

AER

651-767-2062

Sales Representative

Robert Martinez

AER

801-520-6432

Sales Representative

Scott Shields

AER

618-713-4871

Sales Representative

Shawn Collier

AER

210-300-5727

Sales Representative

Sherree Dye

FJE

213-631-1876

Sales Representative

Todd Wilkerson

AER

734-679-3451

Sales Representative

Vin Prabhakaran

AER

469-900-7208

Sales Representative

Dave Carroll

AER

801-699-3263

Vice President & COO

Customer Service

888-237-0001

AER Claims

888-237-0001

Drop Ships

888-237-0001

Core Pick up

888-237-0001

www.aerorders.com

WEST BC NE BC, SOUTH BC CO, NM, WY PA, WV, VA MA, NH, ME, RI, VT MD, DE, PA, VA TX-Dallas CT, NY TX-Houston WA, OR NO California, NV

earistizabal@fred-jones.com estracener@fred-jones.com evanpruitt@aermfg.com jkammerdiener@fred-jones.com

AL, FL, TN, KY

jdelbosco@fred-jones.com jenniferrobinson@aermfg.com jugonzalez@fred-jones.com kelvinknaff@aermfg.com mballentine@fred-jones.com

L.A. NORTH

markkourofsky@aermfg.com patobrien@aermfg.com robertmartinez@aermfg.com scottshields@aeermfg.com shawncollier@aermfg.com sdye@fred-jones.com toddwilkerson@aermfg.com vinprabhakaran@aermfg.com davidcarroll@aermfg.com

AZ, NV, NM OH, IN, KY GA, SC

East NY FL KS, MO, NO ARK NC, VA, TN IL, WI MN, NE, ND, SD, WI, IA UT, ID, MT IA, IL, MO, IN TX-San Antonio L.A. South MI, OH, IN NJ, PA National

aerclaims@aermfg.com dropships@aermfg.com chryslercores@aermfg.com 6/01/2026

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July - August 2026

Average Recon Cycle Times

10 days 3 days ReconVision

5 days Ideal

National

Ten days in recon? That's seven days too many. Streamline and speed up the process.

Learn how to reduce your recon time at autovision.com/reconvision.

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YOUR RETAIL REWARDS REBATE

IS LARGER THAN YOU THINK. PETRA MAKES SURE YOU REACH IT.

Professional-grade service lane chemistry engineered to protect Mopar Loyalty performance, ĪŊøŵąÚŻąʼŵąƄÚĪŁʼŻąŁŁˑƄĦŵŒƊĞĦ˂ʼÚŊþʼþŵĪƠąʼƹƦąþʼ ŒűŻʼűŵŒƹƄÚöĪŁĪƄƧʼ˓ʼÚƄʼąƠąŵƧʼƄĪąŵˁ The dealers achieving the highest Retail Rewards rebate tiers are running a structured service lane chemical program.

HERE IS WHY.

Mopar’s Retail Rewards program rewards consistent retail parts and product sell-through. A structured Petra service lane program drives that sell-through on every repair order — systematically, consistently, and at a scale that moves the needle on your tier. More penetration per RO. More qualifying retail activity. More rebate dollars back to your store at the end of the quarter.

Shield internal components and extend engine life on every vehicle in your service lane

RETAIL REWARDS

REBATES

FUEL SYSTEM

Clean injectors, restore performance, and deliver a customer-facing benefit at every oil change

Consistent Petra product attachment drives the retail sell-through that pushes your dealership to higher rebate tiers — quarter after quarter.

PARTS LOYALTY

COOLING SYSTEM

A/C SYSTEM

Complete flush and protect protocols for every season — critical for summer heat and year-round performance

Petra’s OEM-aligned chemistry supports your Mopar Loyalty metrics while giving your advisors the confidence to recommend every service with credibility.

LOYALTY SCORES THE RESULT • HIGHER - INCREMENTAL GROSS PROFIT FOR YOUR • LARGER REBATE OPPORTUNITIES CDJR STORE: - SUSTAINABLE FIXED OPS GROWTH

Solutions to help clean the A/C system and eliminate malodor heading into summer months.

FIXED

More services attached per RO. Higher internal revenue. Stronger customer OPS PROFITABILITY retention. The math works — and it compounds.

Scan to email our team directly

ENGINE PROTECTION

LEARN MORE

.ª °ªy y%° ª¢ˁ yoˎ y°ª Visit us to learn about the Petra difference

SCAN TO CONNECT

.ª ʼ °ªyoyªSÆ.ʼ y%° ª¢˂ʼSq ˁʼ˴ʼʫʫʪʲʯʼ .G.q ÍʼG ..qʼ% SÆ.˂ʼ Í .¢¢ʼªÌʼʱʱʮʬʳʼ˴ʼo d.ªSqG˪ .ª °ªy y%° ª¢ˁ yoʼ˴ʼʫˑʲʲʲˑ .ª ˑʰʫ

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July - August 2026

READ WHY TOP DEALERS ADVERTISE IN RATCHET+WRENCH ADVERTISING IN RATCHET+WRENCH IS EASY, EFFECTIVE, & AFFORDABLE

TOTAL CIRCULATION**

91,000+ TOTAL CIRCULATION WITH PASS ALONG*

273,000+ (Average subscriber passes along to 2+ additional readers)

The team at Ratchet+Wrench knows our industry and our customers. Their well-crafted, relevant content puts our message in front of the right service and repair centers, helping us strengthen relationships and move more wholesale parts. That’s why they’re a trusted advertising partner for our parts department. ALAN YANCEY PARTS MANAGER HAYES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM

LEARN MORE

*2025 Ratchet+Wrench Readership Study

GROWPARTS.RATCHETANDWRENCH.COM

**Publisher’s circulation data

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July - August 2026

Your Warranty Reimbursement Rate Is Only as Good as the Business Behind It Why maximizing the opportunity before submission can make all the difference

Most dealerships know they have the opportunity to increase their warranty parts and labor reimbursement rates. What is often overlooked, however, is that simply qualifying for an increase and maximizing that increase are two very different things. When a dealership begins the reimbursement process, one of the most important questions should not be, “Can we get an increase?” It should be, “Are we maximizing the opportunity before we submit?” That distinction matters because the reimbursement rates a dealership can support is directly connected to the customer-pay business behind the submission. Labor rates, parts markup, discounts, overrides, repair-order documentation, and overall pricing practices can all influence the result. If those practices are not producing the strongest possible customer-pay business, submitting immediately may mean leaving money on the table.

TWO APPROACHES TO THE SAME GOAL At QB Business Solutions, we recognized that not every dealership needs the exact same reimbursement process. Some dealers want the fastest possible path using the business they have already written. Others want to take the time to improve their customer-pay performance first and pursue the highest financial return possible. That is why we offer two reimbursement options.

OPTION A: FULL-SERVICE CONSULTATIVE REIMBURSEMENT Our full-service process looks forward before it looks backward. Instead of immediately relying only on historical repair orders, a dedicated account manager works with the dealership throughout the process, reviewing performance, tracking results, and helping management identify opportunities within its customer-pay business. The objective is not to change the dealership simply for the sake of a warranty submission. It is to help the store develop stronger, sustainable business practices that can improve customer-pay performance while also positioning the dealership for a stronger warranty reimbursement result.

OPTION B: DATA SERVICE REIMBURSEMENT For other dealerships, speed and convenience may be the priority. Our Data Service Reimbursement option uses the dealership’s existing historical business to identify the available reimbursement opportunity without requiring the same ongoing consultative process. This approach is designed to be fast and efficient. We analyze the available data, provide detailed reporting, help ensure the required documentation is prepared correctly, and move toward submission. Because the process is based on business the dealership has already written, the resulting increase may be smaller than a full-service consultative approach, but for stores looking for a streamlined solution, it can be the right fit.

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THE DIFFERENCE IS WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE FILING There are more warranty reimbursement providers in the market today than ever before, and on the surface many of the services can sound similar. The real difference is often found in what happens before the submission is ever sent to the manufacturer. Taking existing repair-order history and calculating a rate answers one question: “What does my dealership qualify for based on the business we have already written?” A consultative process asks a different question: “What could my dealership qualify for if we first make sure the business supporting the submission is as strong as it can reasonably be?” For dealerships, that difference can translate into meaningful dollars year after year.

RESULTS THAT SUPPORT THE PROCESS QB Business Solutions has spent more than a decade helping dealerships navigate warranty reimbursement. Our results include: x x x x

2,500+ Parts and Labor Warranty Reimbursement submissions 99.6% success rate in meeting or exceeding forecasted results $39/hour average Warranty Labor Rate increase Cost +100% average Warranty Parts Markup rate

We also believe dealerships should understand the opportunity before committing to a process. That is why QB Business Solutions offers free forecasting, requires no money upfront, charges no monthly service fees for reimbursement, and does not require DMS login access. More importantly, dealers have a choice in how they pursue their increase. Whether the priority is maximum results through a consultative process or speed and convenience through a data-driven submission, the goal remains the same: secure a compliant, profitable reimbursement rate that properly reflects the dealership’s business.

GETTING AN INCREASE IS NOT THE FINISH LINE Warranty reimbursement can have a substantial long-term impact on fixed operations profitability. For that reason, the decision should be about more than simply finding someone who can file a submission. Dealers should understand how their rate is being built, what business is supporting it, whether there is an opportunity to improve the result before filing, and which reimbursement approach makes the most sense for their operation. GETTING AN INCREASE IS NOT THE GOAL. GETTING THE RIGHT INCREASE IS. Before submitting, ask the question that matters most: Are we simply filing what we have, or are we maximizing the opportunity first?

ABOUT QB BUSINESS SOLUTIONS QB Business Solutions helps automotive dealerships nationwide improve Fixed Operations performance through Retail Warranty Reimbursement, Warranty Claims Processing, and Fixed Ops Analytics.

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July - August 2026

Content Solutions at Your Service Counter ENHANCE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

with educational animations, graphics, service menus, and pricing displays that make interactions engaging, informative, and easy to understand.

Watch Sample Videos https://autonettv.com/sample-videos/

Service and Repair Explanations Vehicles are more complicated and technical than ever. Few customers understand what services are necessary and, more importantly, why they are necessary. AutoNetTV’s content solutions act as a 24/7 silent advisor, constantly displaying maintenance and repair service education to your customers. No sales pressure. No forgetting to mention intervalrecommended services. And customers who know more buy more.

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CAR CARE EXPLAINER VIDEOS Presentation Effect on Clarity

Impact of AutoNetTV Videos

69.1%

95.3%

Vehicle owners said that video helps them understand topics the best, over images or text

Vehicle owners increase their overall feelings of credibility towards that service provider after watching AutoNetTV Car Care Explainer Videos

Vehicle Owner responses based on the AutoNetTV Automotive Service Report. Download the report here: https://autonettv.com/automotive_service_report/

Watch how AutoNetTV explains DIFM services for vehicle owners

Transmission Service

Brake Rotors

Tire Replacement

SCHEDULE A COMPLETE WALKTHROUGH

Request a Demo autonettv.com/marketcenter

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July - August 2026

Principle Distribution:A Legacy of Logistics Excellence What We Do Principle Distribu on serves as a key component between contract owner operators and the automo ve supply chain, seamlessly connec ng skilled professionals with leading OEM and a ermarket auto parts distributors and wholesalers. As a broker, it streamlines placements, op mizes delivery schedules, and reduces opera onal disrup ons, helping businesses meet market demands while providing drivers with valuable opportuni es. Its industry exper se helps businesses increase market share by iden fyingopportuni eswithinitsnetworkofstrategicpartnerships.PrincipleDistribu on iscommi edto maintainingahigherstandard ofserviceto mee hedemandsofanever- evolvingmarket. FoundingandGrowthPrincipleDistribu onwasfoundedin2003withasingularvision:to set a new standard in high-quality delivery services. The company emerged in response to the growing demand for efficient, reliable transporta on solu ons, par cularly in the automo ve OEM and a ermarket parts industry. By benchmarking compe tors and refining opera onal models, Principle Distribu on quickly established itself as a leader in the OEM and a ermarket auto parts industry. Over the years, the company expanded its footprint across Texas, Arizona, and beyond acquiring key logis cs companies to strengthen its capabili es. Notable acquisi ons include First Place Logis cs (2007), North Couriers (2014), Dealer Staffing (2019), and OPS Overnight Delivery (2024), posi oning PrincipleDistribu onastheleaderinTexasinlocalandregionalnetworkcoverageforauto parts. Services and Strategic PartnershipsPrinciple Distribu on has built a comprehensive logis cs ecosystem, leveraging strategic partnerships to provide specialized services tailored to the automo ve industry. These partnerships include:  MaximDirect:TheAus n-basedregional deliverynetworkspecializesinsame-day andnextday deliveryforOEMand a ermarket autoparts. Its next-day delivery network encompasses over 475 ci es. Maxim Direct ensures rapid fulfillment across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, op mizing inventory management and minimizing down me for dealerships.  MaximSelect:Anovernightwhite-glovedeliveryservicecustomizedspecificallyfor OEM and a ermarket auto parts distributors that supply parts to major collision centers. The Texas hubs are strategically located in Aus n, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Maxim Select offers advanced tracking, digital pictures, and proof of deliveryviatheEliteExtraApp.Thereistremendouspoten alforexpandingthis service into other strategic markets.  PrincipleExpress:Aregionaldeliverynetworkspecializinginsame-dayandnext-day deliveryforOEManda ermarketautoparts.FromitsDallashub,thedelivery networkreachesover600ci esfornextdaydelivery.Companiescanexpandtheir salesfootprintandmarketsharewithPrincipleExpress,takingadvant ageofnext- daydeliverythroughoutTexasandintoOklahoma,Arkansas,andLouisiana.

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 Principle Distribu on AZ: The Arizona division of Principle Distribu on, specializing in carrier management and dedicated fleet outsourcing. This branch supports local and regional logiscs opera ons, ensuring seamless distribu on across the Southwest and beyond.  Axiom Professional Solu ons: Specializes in recruitment, placement, and staffing services for the automo ve industry and light industrial sectors. Its niche is finding the best warehouse personnel, dispatchers, and automo ve technicians in the market. Axiom handles HR administraon, payroll processing, employee benefits, and risk compliance, helping businesses streamline opera ons and reduce liability exposure. Industry Leadership and Future OutlookIn 2025, Principle Distribu on has solidified its reputa onas apremier logis cs provider inthe automo ve parts industry, knownforits commitmen oefficiency,reliabili ty,andinnova on.Thecompanycon nuestoinves n great people who drive excellence for clients. Principle Distribu on’s commitment to technology reflects its vision and understanding that good data is necessary for making informed business decisions. Lookingahead,PrincipleDistribu onaimstoexpanditsstrategicpartnerships,integrate AI-driven logis cs solu ons, and further streamline supply chain opera ons in the automo ve parts industry. With a customer-centric approach and a dedica on to excellence, the company is poised to remain a key player in automo ve parts logis cs industry for years to come.

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Rebalancing the Collision How OEMs, Dealers, and Shops Are Navigating Margin Pressure By Emily Kline

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the collision repair industry, it’s no secret that accident frequency is consistently down, as well as the number of insurance claims being filed. “You’re getting whacked twice,” said Mike Anderson, president and owner of Collision Advice. “The average consumer doesn’t have an accident every seven to 10 years anymore. It’s once every 18 years. Not only that — but according to the Journal of Consumer Research, Consumer Affairs — 41% of consumers are not filing insurance claims which results in customers paying out of pocket.” Despite these headwinds, there are a lot of shops and dealers that are doing creative things to drive business, ensure OEM parts usage is exclusive within shops, and fix consumer vehicles back to pre-accident conditions and OEM-required standards. Rather than operating as separate businesses connected only by transactions, these partners are recognizing that their success depends on the health of the entire collision repair ecosystem. “We’re putting anything and everything in the water to help the shops not race to the bottom,” said Michael Datema, head of collision sales at Mopar. “We want to ensure we’re taking care of the shops and that we’re protecting margins both at the shop and the dealer level.” In addition to Anderson and Datema, FenderBender spoke with Chris Messer, executive vice president of Transportation at EndeavorB2B; Jeff Tripp, the national collision wholesale parts manager at Subaru of America; and Paul Samuelson, manager of wholesale collision sales at Nissan North America, to discuss solutions and new opportunities posed by current market challenges and conditions. A Smaller Market Means Bigger Challenges For years, collision repair shops have relied heavily on the predictable flow of insurance claims. But advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and changing driving habits have reduced accident frequency. “The biggest challenge we’re seeing is that there are simply fewer repair opportunities in the market,” Tripp said. “There are

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fewer accidents taking place overall. Claims are down for all OEMs.” For some manufacturers, these challenges are compounded by changes in their vehicle lineup. “Stellantis has experienced additional pressure from a shrinking vehicle parc after discontinuing several high-volume models in recent years, including the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Renegade,” Datema said. “As a result, our claims are down just like everybody else’s. That’s really hurting the shop’s base.” These effects ripple beyond dealerships. Consumer Pay, A Major Growth Opportunity As stated, a major trend that is significantly affecting the collision repair industry is consumers choosing not to file insurance claims after an accident. Although different, this change doesn’t have to negatively affect shops. With 41% of consumers paying for repairs out of pocket, shops have an opportunity to

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grow a segment of business that often provides stronger margins than traditional insurance work. “There are a lot of opportunities within customer pay that we’re not capitalizing on,” Samuelson said. To capitalize on this trend, shops need to start with how they interact with customers immediately after an accident. For decades, many front office employees have routinely asked one question first: “Have you contacted your insurance company?” According to Anderson, that conversation should change. Instead, shops should ask whether the customer intends to file a claim — or whether they are considering paying out of pocket. “When we answer the phone or interact with that consumer after an accident — we should say — ‘Mr. Messer, are you thinking about filing an insurance claim? Are you thinking about paying out of pocket?

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Would you like me to help you decide?” Anderson said. By making one small adjustment, shops can help themselves and their wholesale partners. “I think from the first point of contact, we need to be more open to consumers paying out of pocket,” Anderson said. “It’s a good thing because then we don’t have to worry about all the price matching, and we can protect our margins for both ourselves as well as our wholesale partners.” Broken down, insurance-driven repairs often require negotiations over parts selection, labor operations, and reimbursement rates. In contrast, customer pay repairs allow shops greater flexibility to recommend OEM parts, preserve margins, and focus on delivering the highest-quality repair. Customer pay repairs open the conversation. If customers are paying for repairs, they are naturally more invested in the repair process. Shops can use this opportunity to educate customers and help them understand the long-term value of proper repairs — including vehicle safety, resale value, and fit and finish — so that customers are often more receptive to investing in OEM components. An Interconnected Industry The challenges facing the collision repair industry highlight how interconnected every section is, and much like the human body, OEMs, shops, and dealerships all rely on one another to function and survive. If one section of the body fails, other sections follow suit until eventually the whole body shuts down. The function of a dealership is OEM parts sales. Although this is the primary responsibility of the dealership, collision repair shops and OEMs are partners in the venture. “We’re seeing more total losses as market conditions continue to evolve,” Samuelson said. “Margin compression is real. It’s continuing. So, we want to find ways to assist our dealer partners and our shop partners in remaining profitable. We’re also trying to assist shops and dealerships when it comes to total loss mitigation. What can we do to ensure that our consumers who experience total loss receive support, and how can we help them remain loyal?” That means moving beyond transactional relationships.

Instead of viewing dealers simply as parts suppliers, shops should consider them strategic business partners. Likewise, dealerships that actively support local collision shops create stronger customer retention while strengthening OEM brand loyalty. “It’s got to be a partnership,” Samuelson said. “The dealers need to be partnered with their shops, and the shops need to be partnered with their dealers.” Profitability, then, hinges on a need to grow differently. Growing Differently To grow differently, all parts of the collision industry need to focus on ways they can preserve profitability. For manufacturers, the answer is smarter pricing strategies — not simply lowering prices across the board. “Mopar analyzes collision data at the state level to identify where competitive pricing can increase OEM parts usage while minimizing unnecessary margin erosion,” Datema said. “We’re really diving into state-level data. Where does this part make the most sense to be cost-competitive?” This targeted approach enables OEMs to remain competitive in markets where aftermarket parts pose the biggest challenge while preserving profitability elsewhere. Helping Shops Choose OEM Additionally, to encourage OEM purchases within collision shops, many OEMs are using incentive programs. “We’re planning on rewarding shops because they’re working really hard,” Datema said. “Sometimes shops — I assume — are spending their own money to get that OE part because they know they’re going to get it the next day. They know it’s going to fit. They know the customer is going to be happy. So, we’re planning on rewarding them for that.” According to Datema, Mopar plans to roll out ShopDirect, a nationwide rebate program that applies to any parts found on an estimate, in the very near future. In addition to Mopar, Nissan currently has a direct rebate program that is available to all shops, and Subaru currently offers a conquest program for crash parts and is

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Survey Snapshot: What Collision Repair Shops Value Most in an OEM Parts Dealer 7KH )HQGHU%HQGHU 5HDGHUoV &KRLFH 2(0 3DUWV 'HDOHU VXUYH\ UHYHDOV D FOHDU message from collision repair SURIHVVLRQDOV 6KRSV H[SHFW their OEM dealer partners to perform at a high level across every aspect of the partsEX\LQJ H[SHULHQFH In the survey, collision repair shop owners and managers rated key dealer attributes from 1 to 10 on the level of importance. Lower ratings were uncommon and were generally tied to TXHVWLRQV DERXW FLUFXPVWDQFHV that were outside a dealer’s control, such as insurance UHTXLUHPHQWV OLPLWHG ORFDO dealership options, and franchise restrictions. 5HVSRQVHV LQ WKH WR UDQJH signaled that no single factor determines whether a dealership becomes a shop’s preferred partner. Instead, respondents believed that top-performing OEM dealers are consistent in all DUHDV LQYHQWRU\ GHOLYHU\ VSHHG and pricing.

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looking at a direct-to-shop rebate program in the near future. “A lot of these programs are a result of necessity,” Tripp said. “We’re seeing doubledigit growth in our programs year over year. But what we’re not seeing is that same growth relative to our overall part sales. What that means is, conquest and rebates represent a larger part of our total part sales. With fewer repair opportunities and fewer collisions, we’re trying to maximize every one of those sales opportunities.” While rebate and conquest programs provide another tool to encourage OEM parts usage, they cannot solve margin challenges alone. Creating a sustainable collision ecosystem requires collaboration throughout the supply chain. Value Beyond Transaction To play their part, dealerships continue to invest in the infrastructure that supports collision repair, from maintaining inventory and delivery fleets to employing wholesale representatives and managing procurement technology. These investments are essential to keeping repairs moving, which makes operational efficiency increasingly important. According to Anderson, collision repair shops have an opportunity to strengthen the

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profitability of the entire supply chain by improving their own repair planning. Shops that complete thorough disassembly before placing parts orders reduce costly repeat deliveries. This in turn helps dealerships control expenses while improving repair efficiency. “I’m pro-collision repairer,” Anderson said. “But I can’t expect a Stellantis, Nissan, or Subaru dealer to give me this maximum discount when my house isn’t in order and I’m not doing 100% disassembly, and I must order parts five times on the same job.” Rather than viewing dealerships solely as parts suppliers, Anderson believes collision repair shops should recognize them as long-term business partners. Loyalty, efficient ordering practices, and mutual accountability create value for both sides. “If collision repair shops expect a better discount or margin, they need to be a best-in-class customer and not have four or five parts orders per job,” Anderson said. “They need to be more loyal to their dealership partners.” As margins continue to tighten across the industry, success will depend less on which segment absorbs the cost and more on how well every stakeholder works together to eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen the collision repair ecosystem.

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Communication = Long-Term Sustainability In the end, communication is key to ensuring the long-term health of the collision industry. All parts of the automotive industry need to be engaged, and they should be getting out and seeing each other in person. “People buy from people,” Samuelson said. “People want to do business with people. People want to communicate with people, and that always wins. It’s an integral part of all our business.” A great way to engage within the industry is by participating in or hosting an annual lunch and learn. “As dealers, lunch and learns allow you to show shops the OEM brands that you sell,” Anderson said. “It gives you an opportunity to say, ‘Here are the resources that Subaru has. Did you know we have this, this and this?’ It gives you a touch point with shops.” Another way the collision industry can become more involved is by joining local industry associations and going to its events. “Get out there and be part of it,” Messer said. “Go sit in the room. Go to the Collision Industry Conference, Northeast, ABAT; there are a dozen other ones as well.” Engaging with the industry can also be as simple as going out and seeing customers. “Seeing each other is one of the most important things you can do,” Tripp said.

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“Whenever we’re having meetings discussing best practices between retailers and shops, we always encourage them to do check-ins. Our largest wholesalers across the country are huge and a lot of the small to mid-size wholesalers feel like they can’t compete, but they can compete and win based on good relationships.” By using the resources offered to them and conversing with one another, dealerships, OEMs, and shops can help each other learn how to effectively support the end goal, to be a profitable industry. “This is still a person-to-person business,” Messer said. “We need to make sure that we treat each other as partners, that we’re doing everything we can to take care of the end consumer, and that we’re talking to each other like partners.” Inventory Availability The inventory that a dealership has is a consideration that collision repair professionals value. “Having that inventory on hand where it’s already been verified and make sure that it’s damage-free and can be delivered accurately and completely to the shop quickly is a big win for everybody,” Samuelson said. To keep up with inventory, many OEMs provide a retailer inventory management program for dealerships. This program effectively helps dealerships get the right parts on the shelf when they need them. “Nissan has also added price support for mechanical parts,” Samuelson said. “We suddenly said one day, ‘Why don’t we look at what mechanical parts we’re selling on estimates?’ And so, we added almost 800 part numbers that we consider mechanical to the pricematching tools. And we’ve seen tremendous results out of that. We also have a robust ASR [Authorized Service Return] program for our dealers, and we recommend that they stock those items as well.” The more parts a dealership carries, the more reliable they are to a collision repair shop. Having a dealership that collision repair shops can rely on helps them stay on top of repair schedules and maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty. Datema said as Mopar adjusts parts prices to be more competitive, it notifies

its dealer body of the need to stock those parts, then following up with insurance carriers and shops that it has taken action to reduce both wholesale and selling prices on those parts. “We’re taking a more proactive approach, methodical at a part number level,” he said. “We’re making sure the dealers are also taken care of so they get those parts on their shelf. That way, when you order a part on Monday, you’re going to get it on Tuesday.” Delivery Speed Delivery speed and reliability are ranked just as high for collision repair shops. Same-day delivery, dependable delivery windows, and consistent logistics directly influence cycle time, technician productivity, and rental vehicle costs. For shops, reliable delivery is considered a necessity. Performance Matters Across the Board Price also remains an inf luential factor. While collision repair facilities recognize OEM parts are of high quality, they continue to operate within tight insurance reimbursement structures. As a result, competitive pricing and OEM price matching play a significant role in dealership selection. It also helps them defend OEM parts usage in general, while maintaining acceptable profit margins. Expertise Builds Confidence Knowledgeable parts professionals can also bring value to dealers. Respondents consistently rated experienced counter staff highly. This is because they help verify VIN-specific applications, identify trim-level differences, and prevent costly ordering errors, which assists in creating effective and efficient repairs. Digital Ordering Is Now Expected The survey also acknowledged the increasing presence of online procurement systems. Within the past five years, online procurement has evolved from convenience into a baseline expectation. Collision repair shops expect OEM dealers to integrate with parts ordering platforms such as CollisionLink, RepairLink, TraxColli-

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sion, CCC TRUE Parts Network, PartsTrader, and Auto PartsBridge. Respondents believe that these systems improve productivity by providing realtime pricing, increasing order accuracy, and reducing manual follow-up between shops and dealerships. Relationships Still Matter Operational performance ranked slightly higher than interpersonal factors. Regardless of this, relationships continue to play an important supporting role. Answers to questions about dealership contacts who respond quickly, communicate proactively, and resolve issues when problems arise are rated highly. This proves that strong relationships often become important for dealership selection. OEM Usage Remains High Eighty percent of survey respondents reported OEM parts are used at least 90 percent of the time. Shops reporting lower OEM utilization most frequently cited vehicle age, or the inability to secure competitive OEM pricing, as the primary reasons for turning to alternative parts sources. The Bottom Line Collision repair shops evaluate OEM dealers holistically. Dealerships cannot rely on excellent pricing alone to recruit and retain collision shops. If inventory is inconsistent, delivery times are slow, or there is no digital presence, shop operators are going to look elsewhere. Dealerships that have the FenderBender Reader’s Choice recognition are those that check all the boxes. To view the full roundtable discussion with industry experts, go to bit.ly/FBRCroundtable or scan the QR code below.

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Strategy Without Execution Is a Hallucination When AI makes something up that sounds right but isn’t real, we call it a hallucina on. When leadership does it, we call it a strategy. Sit with that for a second. A hallucina on isn’t a lie. It’s fluent. Confident. Well-structured. It carries every marker of truth except the one that ma ers, it isn’t grounded in anything real. Now picture the last strategy deck you watched die in a drawer. Bold vision. Air ght logic. Beau ful narra ve. And not a single line connec ng it to what the organiza on could actually execute. Same failure. Different source. Strategy without execu on isn’t ambi on. It’s a hallucina on with be er forma ng. Here’s the shi no one’s naming. For twenty years, the strategy was the hard part, and execu on was “just delivery.” AI flipped that overnight. Anyone can now generate a well-defined, board-ready strategy in a very short me. The confident narra ve stopped being scarce. Grounding it is the whole game now. So the leadership skill that actually ma ers isn’t having the vision. It’s the discipline to e every bold claim to something that ships, moves, or changes in the real world. And this is where our path and AI’s become the same path. AI hallucinates when it dri s from reality. So do we. The difference is that we’re the ones who ground it: every correc on, every “that’s not how this actually works,” every real result we feed back teaches it what true looks like. We are the reality check. That’s the job now. Not just steering our own course, but grounding AI’s right beside it. Two kinds of intelligence, one shared discipline: stay anchored to what’s real, or dri into confident nonsense. The leaders who win this era won’t have the best story. They’ll have the one that survives contact with execu on. Because strategy without execu on was never a plan. It was a hallucina on nobody had caught yet. About the author Jason Jodoin is a technology execu ve based in Providence, Rhode Island. His career has focused heavily on enterprise technology, large-scale transforma on, program management, and ge ng complex ini a ves from strategy into execu on He also has PMP and ITIL creden als and has been involved with major technology transforma on projects, including acquisi ons, dives tures, data-center migra on and enterprise applica on integra on.

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Former Ford marketing boss Matt VanDyke takes over Ram brand; ex-AutoNation exec to head Jeep

Stellan s has appointed two industry veterans to lead Jeep and Ram as its expands the brands’ lineups in a bid to regain lost market share. Ma VanDyke, a former Ford Motor Co. U.S. marke ng chief, started July 20 as CEO of the surging Ram truck brand. He succeeds Tim Kuniskis, who remains the company’s head of American brands. In addi on, Stellan s has picked Branden Coté, a former execu ve at AutoNa on and Aston Mar n, as Jeep CEO star ng Aug. 3. Coté will replace Bob Broderdorf, who will be going on medical leave a er heading the SUV brand since February 2025. Broderdorf will assume a new leadership role at Stellan s when he returns, the company said. VanDyke most recently was president of marke ng firm Shi Digital and previously spent 14 years at Ford. His former roles included CEO of the FordDirect joint venture with dealers, head of U.S. marketing, vice president of marketing for Ford of Europe, and head of global marketing, sales and service for Lincoln. Continued on Page 55

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Continued from Page 54 He was popular with many dealers and headed successful marke ng campaigns for F-Series pickups and the revived Bronco SUV. Coté has two decades of experience working in retail opera ons at automakers and dealerships. He most recently was brand president at AutoNa on. He also held leadership roles with Aston Mar n Lagonda Ltd., Canoo and Mercedes-AMG/Mercedes-Benz USA, Stellan s said. Borderdorf, in a July 20 LinkedIn post, said he’s stepping away from his du es because of a recent cancer diagnosis. He has been CEO of Jeep since February 2025. “One perspec ve has become impossible to ignore: some mes the greatest act of leadership is knowing when to put the team’s needs ahead of your own,” Broderdorf wrote. “So, with a heavy heart — but complete confidence in the brand’s future — I’ve made the decision to step aside and hand the reins to another leader.” VanDyke and Coté will report to Kuniskis. “Ma and Branden are proven leaders who will build on our successes and take these iconic American brands to the next level,” Kuniskis said in a statement. “Their skills and deep industry experience align with our simple, but very important, customer-centric objec ve: to provide people with the brands and products they love and trust.” Ram and Jeep are the centerpieces of the $70 billion plan Stellan s CEO Antonio Filosa outlined in May to increase sales and market share over the next five years. The company is targe ng 60 percent growth for Ram in North America by 2030 and 15 percent for Jeep. Both brands are slated to add several new vehicles to their lineups during that period, with Ram ge ng a fullsize SUV and two smaller pickups. Source: www.AutoNews.com Ar cle by Vince Bond, Jr.

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2 02 026 6 Mopar M opar M ast as t er e rss G ui lld d O ffi cer s & Com Officer Committe ees es “The exchange of information by like-size dealers in a non-competitive environment”

Guild Officers

President Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT V. Pres - Jim Jaeger – Team CDJR – Merrillville, IN Secretary - John Russo - Clay Cooley DCJR - Dallas, TX Treasurer – Chris Hojnacki – Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

Execu ve Commi ee - All Officers Including: Dan Hu on - Tom O’Brien DCJR - Greenwood, IN Alan Yancey - Hayes CDJ - Alto, GA Rick Cutaia - Rick Hendrick DCJR – Charleston, SC Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN Joe McBeth - Clay Cooley DCJR - Dallas, TX David Kiser - Spartanburg CDJR - Spartanburg, SC

Guild Commi ees MMG Annual Mee ng Planning 2026 Jill Vance - Apogee Event Agency Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT Chris Hojnacki – Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

Finance Commi ee Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT Chris Hojnacki - Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI Don Cushing – MMG Magazine/Media

Newsle er/Website/Social Media Don Cushing – MMG Magazine/Media

Vendor Commi ees AER Manufacturing

Elite EXTRA - Epicor Joe McBeth - Clay Cooley DCJ - Dallas, TX Alan Yancey - Hayes CDJ - Alto, GA Chris Hojnacki – Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI Steve Anderson - Tonkin Parts Center - Portland, OR Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

Helm Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT (Chair) Joe McBeth - Clay Cooley DCJ - Dallas, TX Robert Chatwin - Larry Miller DCJR Chris Hojnacki – Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI Chris Reynolds - Larry Miller DCJR

OEConnec on Dan Hu on - Tom O’Brien CJD – Greenwood, IN (Chair) John Russo - Clay Cooley DCJ – Dallas, TX Jim Jaeger - Team CDJR – Merrillville, IN Chris Hojnacki - Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI *Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

Reynolds & Reynolds Rick Cutaia - Rick Hendrick DCJR – Charleston, SC (Co-Chair) Joe Handzik - Be enhausen Auto - Tinley Park, IL Randy Rogers - Huffines CJDR - Plano, TX Kent Cogswell - Jack Phelan CDJR - Countryside, IL *David Kiser - Spartanburg CDJR - Spartanburg, SC *Chris Hojnacki - Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

Snap On Business Solu ons

Robert Chatwin - Larry Miller DCJR - Sandy, UT (Chair) Ted Hawkins - Cerritos Dodge - Cerritos. CA Chris Hojnacki - Serra Lake CDJR – Lake Orion, MI *Joe Handzik - Be enhausen Auto - Tinley Park, IL

Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT (Chair) Randy Rogers - Huffines CJDR - Plano, TX Taylor Sisson - Ganley CDJR, Bedford, OH *Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

CDK Global

*Alternate

Joe McBeth - Clay Cooley DCJ – Dallas, TX (Chair) Robert Chatwin - Larry Miller DCJR - Sandy, UT Dan Hu on - Tom O’Brien DCJR - Greenwood, IN *Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN *Jim Jaeger - Team CDJR – Merrillville, IN

Mopar Masters Guild Magazine

Vendor Chair Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT David Kiser - Spartanburg CDJR - Spartanburg, SC


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