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New Year, Continued Partnership
New Year, Continued Partnership
Starting 2026 Off on the right foot: Setting the foundation for a successful CSM/Dealer partnership.
Ryan Strahs, Hendrick Auto Group - Dealer Spotlight
Ryan Strahs, Hendrick Auto Group - Dealer Spotlight
Say ‘Hello’ to Ryan Strahs, our January Dealer Spotlight!
How long has Hendrick Auto Group been serving the community?
Ryan: Hendrick Automotive Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Founded in 1976, Hendrick has grown into the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. For five decades, the company has served customers across the country while maintaining a strong commitment to the communities where it operates.
What is Hendrick Auto Group’s favorite way to give back to the local area?
Ryan: Giving back is deeply embedded in Hendrick Automotive Group’s culture. Through Hendrick Cares, the organization supports initiatives focused on fighting hunger, advancing education, and developing the future workforce through STEM and automotive training programs. In addition to these national efforts, each dealership actively supports its local community through charitable partnerships, volunteer work, and hands-on involvement.
What is your role at the dealership?
Ryan: I serve as the Market Area Commercial Director, overseeing Fleet and Commercial operations across five states. In this role, I am responsible for setting strategic direction, driving operational execution, and developing teams that support sustainable growth. I work closely with internal leadership, vendors, and customers to build long-term partnerships and scalable solutions. A key focus of my role is aligning retail, commercial, fleet, and government operations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and a unified approach to serving our customers across the region.
How has Work Truck Solutions helped you in your role?
Ryan: Work Truck Solutions has helped streamline and standardize our commercial operations by improving visibility into inventory and upfit options and simplifying the quoting and ordering process. These tools allow our teams to respond more quickly, operate more consistently across multiple locations, and deliver a stronger customer experience.
What's your favorite thing about working with commercial trucks?
Ryan: My favorite aspect of working with commercial trucks is the direct impact they have on our customers’ businesses. These vehicles are essential tools, and providing the right solution—whether for a single truck or an entire fleet—supports productivity, efficiency, and long-term success. What makes this work especially rewarding is watching smaller companies grow over time. Helping a business start with one truck and eventually scale into a full fleet, knowing we played a role in that growth, is one of the most fulfilling parts of working in the commercial space.
What's one piece of advice you would like to give that has helped you throughout your career?
Ryan: One principle that has guided me throughout my career is leading from the front. Leadership is about setting the standard through action, not just direction. It requires being present, staying engaged, and holding yourself to the same expectations you set for your team. When expectations are clear and leadership is consistent, trust is built. That trust creates buy-in, accountability, and ultimately a stronger, more aligned team focused on delivering sustainable results.
Would you recommend Work Truck Solutions to other dealerships? Why?
Ryan: Yes, I would absolutely recommend Work Truck Solutions to other dealerships. The platform brings structure, efficiency, and consistency to commercial operations, which are essential for growth and success in today’s fleet and commercial market.
Brain Break: New Year’s Resolutions for Gearheads (That You May Actually Keep)
Brain Break: New Year’s Resolutions for Gearheads (That You May Actually Keep)
It happens every January: the ambitious declaration that this is the year the project car finally leaves the garage. But let’s be honest—setting the bar at "complete restoration" usually just leads to another year of guilt, gathering dust, and reminders of previous failures.
If you’re ready to break the cycle of broken promises, we've found a great list of six automotive resolutions that are actually fun to stick to. From getting behind the wheel of a machine way outside your comfort zone to finally inspiring the next generation of enthusiasts, these goals are designed to reignite your passion rather than just adding another impossible task to your to-do list.
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