AutoNation has placed its trust in an auto industry outsider. We'll soon know whether that was a good idea. Carl Liebert takes over at a time of mounting cyclical pressures in auto retailing. He's also taking over at a time of structural upheaval, driven by technology and changing consumer expectations.
But let's not forget what he's taking over: AutoNation, the largest new-vehicle retailer in the nation, a company whose scale, stature and brand power allow it to set a standard for a still-fragmented sector.
In that sense, Liebert is being called upon to lead not just a company, but an entire industry through an evolution that's both inevitable and necessary. He must demonstrate by example what retailers can gain from embracing e-commerce and the promise of mobility. He must be willing to push hard to level the playing field with manufacturers and vendors, elevate the standards of customer service and expand the boundaries of what an auto dealership can be.
Liebert's outsider status means he has much to offer an industry in flux, but also much to learn and little time to waste. He'll need to get out to the stores, and earn the trust of employees and manufacturers. His choice of a dealership operations expert to be his COO will be perhaps the most crucial decision of his early tenure. And while he'll have Mike Jackson as executive chairman to provide guidance, he must assert his freedom to launch his own initiatives, create his own successes and even make his own mistakes.
No pressure, Mr. Liebert, but the whole industry is watching.
