The Future of Automotive Retail (FAR) 2024 event brought together leaders and experts from the automotive industry to address the sector’s most pressing issues, emerging trends, and future opportunities.
Purpose of FAR: Educate, Empower, and Connect
FAR 2024 aimed to provide a comprehensive platform for education, empowerment, and connection among industry professionals. Attendees were encouraged to engage in discussions and share insights that could help shape the future of automotive retail. The event’s key objectives were to:
- Educate participants about the latest trends and innovations in the automotive sector.
- Empower attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to implement transformative changes.
- Connect industry leaders to foster collaboration and innovation.
Panels On The Industry’s Most Important Topics
The event featured several panel discussions that provided an exclusive glimpse into the future of the automotive industry. Topics included the transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), and the evolving landscape of dealership operations. These discussions aimed to ignite insightful conversations and encourage participants to think critically about the industry’s future.
Featured Speakers: Influential Thought Leaders Shaping Automotive
FAR 2024 showcased an impressive lineup of speakers who are pioneers and thought leaders in the automotive industry, a few of whom are highlighted below:
- Peter Leyden: A visionary in strategic foresight and founder of Reinvent Futures, Leyden provided an inspiring journey into the future of the industry.
- Kevin Tynan: Senior Automotive Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, Tynan shared his profound industry insights and expertise in data analysis.
- Mark McNabb: From Van Tuyl Companies. With over 25 years of automotive experience and former leadership roles at Electrify America LLC and Volkswagen of America, Inc., McNabb discussed industry innovation and his extensive experience.
- Steve Greenfield: General Partner at Automotive Ventures, Greenfield’s journey from software sales to leading $1B+ in acquisitions offered valuable perspectives on automotive tech.
- Thomas Kondrat: Global Leader of Advanced Analytics at Urban Science, Kondrat focused on revolutionizing data-driven decision-making and software development in the industry.
- Jim Fitzpatrick: Co-founder of JBF Business Media & Force Marketing and host of Inside Automotive on CBT News, Fitzpatrick provided insights into recent trends and news impacting the automotive sector.
Sequence Of Events: Agenda To Help Propel The Industry
- Day 1 – The event began with a powerful message from Terry Erwin, emphasizing that despite changes, automotive fundamentals remain constant. Peter Leyden’s exploration of future trends and David Peckinpaugh’s insights on resilience and innovation set a dynamic tone for the event.
- Day 2 – The second day featured a wealth of insights from industry leaders. Terry Erwin and Jim Fitzpatrick discussed recent trends and news from CBT News, while Kevin Tynan provided key economic insights. Peter Leyden highlighted the impact of AI on dealership operations and customer expectations. Discussions also focused on electrification, investment in facilities, operational stability, mobile services, and EV-specific marketing tactics.
Concluding on a High Note: Expressing Our Appreciation
FAR 2024 successfully provided a platform for automotive industry professionals to gain insights, share knowledge, and connect with peers. The event’s focus on education, empowerment, and connection ensured that attendees were left with a deeper understanding of the industry’s future and the tools needed to drive transformation in their respective areas.
On behalf of everyone at Maritz, we’d like to thank our speakers, panelists, moderators, and guests for sharing their expertise and insights. FAR continues to be an important event that brings OEMs, dealers, and automotive industry experts together to discuss key issues, opportunities, and common challenges. As always, it’s the people who make the event, and this year’s group was fantastic. We’re thrilled you could be with us!