Improving Dealership Performance & Customer Experiences
By Scott Gunnell | Updated: March 20, 2026
As the automotive retail landscape continues to evolve, dealerships are balancing renewed momentum with changing customer expectations and operational realities. In this issue, we explore the trends shaping the year ahead including the future of F&I and strategies to help dealers strengthen operations, elevate the customer experience and support the teams that power their success.
Gyde: Where the Story Begins
JM&A Group recognized an opportunity to transform the evolving F&I experience as dealers sought greater efficiency and customers expected more transparency. This vision led to the creation of Gyde, a platform designed in collaboration with dealers and customers to bring clarity, consistency and smarter insights to the F&I process while continuing to learn and evolve with every interaction.
“The platform’s learning capabilities are built in. It observes, adapts and grows. It learns from real-world decisions, using both winds and misses to sharpen future recommendations.”
Rob Pluta
Driving the Next Phase of Claims Performance
At MotorWorld, adopting Online Claims helped eliminate manual bottlenecks in the service department, saving advisors time and accelerating repair approvals. The shift improved operational efficiency and reduced repair order cycle times, demonstrating how digital tools can enhance both fixed operations performance and the overall customer experience.
Estimated Time Savings from Online Claims
Fixed Ops Success Begins with the Guest Experience
As dealership margins tighten and customer expectations rise, Fixed Operations has emerged as a critical driver of stability, loyalty and long-term profitability. By focusing on disciplined processes, better use of technology and a guest-first experience, dealers can transform the service lane into a powerful engine for retention and sustainable growth.

“Here at JM&A Group, the success equation sets the tone for everything, and at the center is one principal: the guest.”
Brandon Hartfiel, Director of Fixed Operations & Training JM&A Group
Shifting Expectations – The Modern Dealership Employee
As expectations shift in the wake of the pandemic, dealership employees are placing greater value on flexibility, career development and benefits that support long-term wellbeing. Dealers who respond with more strategic approaches to health benefits, financial planning and training will be better positioned to attract and retain the talent that drives dealership success.

Together, these perspectives highlight an industry that is embracing innovation while staying grounded in the fundamentals that drive long-term performance. As the year ahead unfolds, dealers who combine thoughtful strategies with disciplined execution will be positioned well to navigate change and capture the opportunities ahead.
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