Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego. 

With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors

Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.

Next up is Nicki Hodges, chief operations officer at Vincue. 

Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?

Nicki Hodges: I love watching the disruptive new technologies that are changing the rules and customer expectations of automotive retail. Our industry has always given me a rush with the fast pace improvements, but at the same time watching our dealers grasp this new way of buying, selling and marketing vehicles is probably the most enjoyable for me.

If I had to change anything, it would be to ask dealers who aren’t quite ready to embrace these new companies and allow the disruption to what the way they have always done it, to have an open mind. There is a shift happening right now, and I don’t want any dealer to be left behind because of the fear of how this will change the way they do business. We are all in this together.

AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?

Hodges: We are working every angle to help our dealers with their inventory issues. Buying from the public is a trend I believe is here to stay. I continue to be impressed daily on how innovative and creative the dealers are becoming as they are looking to fill their lots again. Our Vehicle Buying Center (VBC) is unique, and we are very proud of the platform, but I am most proud of how our dealers are embracing the technology and driving their teams in this direction. Some of our dealers who are working the plans are buying 200-plus cars a month. This is the most exciting trend that is becoming so much more than just that.

AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?

Hodges: I would tell the younger me to not take for granted every possible learning opportunity given. I would also tell her to find a mentor who could be a guide on this journey. When I first fell into automotive, I honestly didn’t think it was the beginning of a lifelong career. I think the younger me and the current me, would have chosen the same path, so I think I would give the younger me some kudos along with that advice. It’s been an exciting journey, to say the least.

AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?

Hodges: People! I surround myself with smart and driven people who fuel my motivation, but also push me to think smarter and more creatively. When we started this company, the industry had many years on us. I knew there would be people out there to help me through some road blocks, but asking is not always easy. I feel so lucky in my career to have had so many amazing people who took some time out of their days to teach me.

I had to break a lot of things along the way, but I am not afraid to work hard and fall on my face. And when you have great people that have your back, trial and error becomes a lot less scary and more of one more lesson to learn to get to the end goal. It’s the people that I call my team, other vendors, competitors, industry leaders, etc.