Cliff Banks of Dealer Magazine Reviews Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels and Profitability

by dpollak on 01/12/2010 · View Comments

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Cliff, thank you so much for the review – Dale.

Pollak Publishes New Book
by Cliff Banks

The other day, I was talking with Mark Thomas, a fourth generation dealer in Pennsylvania when he mentioned the word “velocity.”

In the automotive retail industry, that word has become synonymous with Dale Pollak, founder and chairman of vAuto Inc.

When you use the word “velocity” in this business, you’re immediately identified as being a disciple of Pollak’s.

More than 2,000 dealers currently use vAuto’s software to help determine which used vehicles to stock and how to price them. Dealers I talk to swear by Pollak’s thinking.

vAuto was not the first company to offer such a product. That was American Auto Exchange, started by Bruce Thompson several years ago. Now it’s AAX and owned by DealerTrack. There’s also FirstLook, founded by Pat Ryan.

All three men, and their companies, helped redefine our thinking about the used car business. When you talk about game-changing ideas and software, these three companies nailed it.

But Pollak has become the visionary and leading evangelist for how dealers need to view their used car operations.

This is where “velocity” comes into play. That was the title of his first book (Velocity: From the Front Line to the Bottom Line) written a couple of years ago (by the way, it sold 10,000 copies). It might be the best book ever written about the automotive retail business.

We say first book, because Pollak has just released his second book, Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels & Profitability.

The book introduces ROI-based management metrics and processes dealers can use to operate more efficient and profitable used vehicle departments. Velocity 2.0 begins with the recognition that today’s used vehicle marketplace is more challenging and volatile than it’s ever been – a tough reality driven by the power of the Internet and a troubled economy. The book offers a playbook of best practices to help dealers overcome obstacles and outpace their competition.

If you’re using vAuto, AAX or FirstLook, or considering one of them, Pollak’s books are a must read. They’ll change everything you thought you knew about the used car business.

Velocity 2.0: Paint, Pixels, & Profitability is available at Amazon.com or on vAuto.

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{ 6 comments }

1 Fair Haven Partners 01/13/2010 at 1:31 pm

Today's must read: Velocity 2.0 Tomorrow's car business was already here yesterday

2 craigbelowski 01/13/2010 at 1:40 pm

Just opened the package from Amazon!!!! Even though I already read the pages I'm on (had to!) this book will probably read through tonight, and then multiple times. Required reading and happily read at Acton Toyota of Littleton.
Can't thank you enough for all I've learned, Craig

3 Dale Pollak 01/18/2010 at 10:41 am

Craig,

Thank you so much for the feedback. I would really appreciate it if you would post a review on Amazon once you’ve completed it. Thanks for all of your contributions.

4 hawkchev 02/04/2010 at 10:40 pm

I got very excited reading this book. The last 1/3 of the book was so great I ended up staying up until 3AM to finish. WOW!

I am wondering. I like the idea of hiring a “Digital Debbie” for our dealership. Wondering if anyone has someone like “her” already and if they have a detailed job description they would be interested in sharing. Thanks.

Tom Hawkins
Fairmont, MN

5 Dale Pollak 02/08/2010 at 9:38 am

Tom,

Thanks for your enthusiasm about the book. I see “Digital Debbie's” all over the place, however there seems to be no consistency to their job requirements or compensation. I will keep my open for ones that meet the profile and requirements that I've written about. Please feel free to call me at any time.

Thanks,
Dale

6 Dale Pollak 02/08/2010 at 3:38 pm

Tom,

Thanks for your enthusiasm about the book. I see “Digital Debbie’s” all over the place, however there seems to be no consistency to their job requirements or compensation. I will keep my open for ones that meet the profile and requirements that I’ve written about. Please feel free to call me at any time.

Thanks,
Dale

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