AutoKnerd Podcast

The EV1 was not just early, it was dangerous.

Not to drivers, but to an entire industry built on fuel revenue, service schedules, and old school thinking.

In this episode, we dig into one of the most infamous automotive conspiracies of all time.

Why did GM create one of the best electric cars ever made, then recall and crush almost every single one

We unpack the story behind:

• Big Oil pressure

• Battery patent wars

• Internal GM politics

• Lobbying behind closed doors

• EV fear and mistrust

• The scar customers still carry today

Most importantly, we connect this history to the conversations happening in dealerships right now.

Why customers hesitate.

Why EV myths spread so fast.

Why trust matters more than torque or technology.

If you sell cars, service cars, or lead a team in the dealership world, this episode gives you a fast, clear, human explanation of why EV conversations feel so emotional and how to handle them with confidence and empathy.

This week’s AutoShop tool is The EV Trust Decoder, your shortcut to turning EV fear into clarity your customers can feel.

Get the Tool! —> https://autoknerd.com/p/ep66

When customers start to drift emotionally, they rarely tell you — they just disappear. In this episode, Andrew Sardone breaks down how to spot doubt before it becomes disaster. You’ll get data, scripts, and a new tool that trains emotional radar across every department.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Hook: Silence means drift 02:00 – The three signals of doubt 06:00 – The 43:57 talk-listen rule 09:00 – Scripts that rebuild trust 13:00 – Department breakdown: BDC → F&I 19:00 – Manager Challenge: Log one Confidence Save 22:00 – Wrap-Up and Tools

Download the full EP65 Toolkit (Free to Dealer) at AutoKnerd.com

In this 30-minute episode, Andrew Sardone breaks down why the test drive is the emotional pivot of the sale and how great consultants create ownership moments through silence, observation, and timing.

You’ll learn:

🚗 The two Emotion Windows that decide most sales

🤫 Why confident silence builds trust faster than specs

🧠 The science behind emotional timing in customer decisions

📋 How managers can coach drives that close themselves

Nerd Stats inside:

• 78% of buyers say the test drive sold them the car (CDK Global)

• 69% call it the most crucial part of the buying journey (DealershipGuy)

• 80% say no online experience replaces a real drive (Urban Science)

Free Tool:

Download this week’s AutoShop Test Drive Passport — the step-by-step checklist for creating test drives that move metal.

👉 autoknerd.com