In this episode of In the Passenger Seat, host Matt Mitteldorfer sits down with automotive data and AI expert, Yuriy Demidko, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing dealerships today: building the right data foundation for effective AI adoption.

Yuriy breaks down why clean, structured data is essential for modern dealership operations—and why AI tools can only deliver value when the underlying data infrastructure is strong. From inventory management and pricing to customer experience and decision-making, the quality of your data directly impacts the quality of your outcomes.

You’ll learn:

• Why “garbage in, garbage out” matters more than ever in automotive retail

• How poor data structure can hold back AI, automation, and analytics

• What dealers should evaluate before implementing new AI solutions

• Practical steps to improve data accuracy, organization, and consistency

If you’re a dealership leader, operator, or anyone exploring AI and digital transformation in automotive, this episode offers actionable insights to help you make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Host, Matt Mitteldorfer, sits down with Brian & Jamie Johnson of Crescent Automotive (Aiken, SC) to explore how a family-run store uses smart tech and human-first values to rewrite the playbook. The Johnsons share how they’ve embraced practical technology to simplify operations and put customers first.

When introduced to ACV's ClearCar solution, it immediately clicked—simple, transparent, and easy—a natural fit for their customer-centric, customer-first way of doing business.

They share how a predominantly female team helps create a gentler, low-pressure experience for women and families, and how word of mouth and long-term relationships still drive the business. Plus, they unpack how ACV's Guaranteed Sale has helped steady inventory and speed up turns with multiple bidders on every car launched.

It’s a conversation about modernizing without losing the human touch—and building trust one interaction at a time.

Host Matt Mitteldorfer chats with Doug Hadden, ACV’s VP of Field Initiatives, about key takeaways from NIADA 2025—from emerging trends and real-world dealership insights to how people and technology are redefining the way dealers operate today.

Tune in for practical, forward-looking insights on the evolving world of automotive retail.