On today’s episode of Inside Automotive, Paul Sansone Sr., owner of Sansone Auto Mall, opens up about his long-standing commitment to charitable causes, his perspectives on the current state of the automotive industry, and his innovative approach to leadership. From making a $1 million donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to addressing the challenges facing Stellantis and Nissan, Sansone shares his insights on business, community involvement, and the future of his dealership group.
Sansone, a well-respected figure in the automotive industry, has spent over 60 years contributing to both his community and the success of his dealerships.
Recently, he made a significant charitable gesture by donating $1 million to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting military heroes. He has also long been involved in initiatives that help incarcerated veterans reintegrate into society, offering job training and opportunities for a fresh start. Beyond charity, Sansone’s dealerships—Sansone Auto Mall—have earned a reputation for excellence, consistently ranking among the top performers in multiple franchise categories.
Beyond philanthropy, Sansone shared his candid thoughts on the state of the automotive industry, particularly the difficulties faced by Stellantis and Nissan. Despite the challenges, his dealership, Sansone Auto Mall, continues to excel, with customer satisfaction scores nearing 100%. He stressed the importance of strong leadership, working closely with manufacturers, and maintaining high operational standards to navigate the current climate.
Despite these challenges, Sansone remains optimistic about his team’s ability to deliver exceptional customer service and maintain high satisfaction levels, with a customer satisfaction index approaching 100%. He also highlighted the importance of strong leadership, good products, and effective marketing in driving success within the dealership world.
As for the future, Sansone emphasized a shift in focus from expanding his dealership footprint to refining operations. He has reduced his number of franchises over the years but continues to oversee an impressive 64-acre facility in Woodbridge, New Jersey. With an eye on leaving a lasting legacy, Sansone has also written a book, The Driving Force, which he plans to share with the public.
“From service, our customer satisfaction index is close to 100%. Our sales are among the top of either one, two, or three and every one of the franchises. And we do our best to satisfy the customers and satisfy the employees." - Paul Sansone Sr.
