SEASON 4 | EPISODE 7
Matt Gunderson came from a large family in western Wisconsin, never intending to sell cars. But after getting into business with his brother in an open Infiniti dealership point in California, he found himself two decades later, running that successful dealership, plus two others he had started from the ground up.
“I had two choices – sit on the sidelines, or jump in.”
– Matt Gunderson, State Senate Candidate, CA-38
On this episode, Matt Gunderson talks with Derek D. about his unlikely path to both California and the automotive industry, how he built his business in an unfamiliar state, and how someone who’s not a “car person” could be attracted to the business of selling cars. He also details what inspired him to run for office as a relative newcomer, his convictions about how political change can be made, and how negotiating with car manufacturers is like dealing with a state government.
Episode Highlights:
- Matt’s journey to becoming an “accidental” car dealer
- How Matt was recruited to run for state senate – and why he was reluctant at first
- How the Mission Viejo family of dealerships coped under pandemic-related regulations
- The silver lining of having to cut back on staff
| Dealer News Today is a Dave Cantin Group production
Dealer News Today Podcasts
The award-winning Dealer News Today podcasts focus on automotive dealer news with insights into the future of the industry. The Dealer News Today automotive podcast is created by and for auto dealers and the professionals that support them. All of our focus is on providing content on the cutting edge of the automotive industry that dealers need today and the insights required to be prepared for tomorrow.
Our pledge to our thousands of subscribers: Whether it’s our industry-leading popular automotive podcasts, content features, or exclusive videos, the team at Dealer News Today works to provide our readers and listeners with the most relevant, timely, and valuable automotive industry news and information possible. All of our content, from articles to popular podcasts, is developed specifically for our audience of auto dealers and other automotive professionals.
Have something to add? Dealer News Today actively seeks thought leadership content that contributes to our goal of creating insights for the future of the automotive industry. Read our requirements for joining our team, or contact us today to learn more!
