Carter Myers Automotive: Go-To Community EV Experts

"As the automotive world continues its shift toward electrification, CMA is committed to being the go-to experts for EVs in every community we serve. That’s why we’ve designated EV Champions in each of our dealerships. Team members who undergo extensive training on everything from charging infrastructure to long-term ownership benefits. We’re not just selling electric vehicles, we’re equipping our customers with the knowledge and confidence to embrace the future of driving."

Liza Borches, President/CEO , Carter Myers Automotive

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Keeler Automotive: EV Champions Who Grow with Empathy

Our commitment to EVs is more than just talk: 

• Our dedication to electric started back during the BMW i3 days
• Our General Sales Manager, Tom is on his 4th EV and loves every minute of it
• A few years back, BMW of Ridgefield actually won an award from the state for selling the most EVs
• Around fifteen of our staff members were also driving one 

So, how does Keeler Automotive do it? Their early commitment to EVs shaped the culture across the Keeler group. Whether you walk into BMW of Latham, Mercedes-Benz of Latham, Keeler Honda, or their newer Ridgefield locations, you’ll find a team that isn’t just trained on product, but is trained to listen.

“At the end of the day, customers just want to feel understood,” says Alan Litrell, General Manager of BMW of Latham. “Whether it’s how charging works, range anxiety, or even just learning about the new technology — we’ve trained our team to slow down, listen, and guide people through the EV transition without pressure.” 

That philosophy runs across brands. Mike Severino at Mercedes-Benz of Latham puts it simply: “It’s not just about knowing the product, it’s about knowing the person. Every EV shopper is at a different point in their journey, and our role is to meet them where they are, not where we want them to be.” 

Since EV buyers arrive at the dealership at all stages: curious, cautious, or ready to buy, Keeler Honda’s brand-new, state-of-the-art facility was designed to reflect the dealership’s commitment to conversations. The General Sales Manager, Nick Demartino, reinforces that approach: “Our brand-new, state-of-the-art facility was designed with the customer experience in mind. From day one, we’ve built a culture where helping people comes first — whether that means answering EV questions in plain language or just making someone feel comfortable enough to ask.”

That mindset is also driving growth. As the Keeler group expands into Connecticut, the same customer-first foundation remains central. At BMW of Ridgefield, Tom McGill emphasizes the dealership’s role as an EV resource, not just a retailer. “We take pride in having a knowledgeable, approachable sales team,” says General Sales Manager Tom McGill. “It’s about more than product expertise — it’s about working alongside our clients, understanding their needs, and guiding them through every step of the EV journey.” 

Just down the road, Genesis of Ridgefield is a brand-new dealership with a fresh foundation built on trust and relationships. “Everything starts with a connection,” says General Manager Anthony Puglisi. “We know people have questions — and sometimes hesitations — around EVs. Our role is to earn their confidence by being clear, honest, and invested in helping them make the right decision for their lifestyle.”

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Prestige Collection Auto Group: Leading the EV Charge 

Prestige Volvo Cars, under the leadership of Matthew Haiken, isn’t just keeping up with the EV revolution—it’s helping define it. As the largest new and used Polestar dealer in the country and one of the most EV-forward franchises in the U.S., Prestige has made an intentional shift to focus on electrification across both their Volvo and Polestar brands. 

This transformation didn’t happen overnight. In the early days of EV sales, back before the Inflation Reduction Act, Prestige saw a unique wave of savvy customers: tax credit experts who knew how to flip cars and optimize incentives, often driving an EV as their second or third vehicle. But the landscape has shifted. Today’s buyers are a more diverse mix: current EV owners looking to upgrade or service their vehicle, plug-in hybrid drivers ready to go full electric, and EV curious looking for guidance.

Service is where Prestige shines. Unlike many other dealers, Prestige Volvo can service EVs on-site. Their investment in certified EV technicians and high-voltage equipment bridges a gap left by many direct-to-consumer brands. As Haiken puts it, "we saw a need” and put resources into meeting it. The dealership not only offers on-site charging for customers and the public, but also helps new buyers with home charger installations and network recommendations, making the transition to EV ownership seamless.

Supporting this shift is a dedicated internal push to keep the team fluent in EVs. From a robust demo and employee lease program to in-house Polestar training for both sales and service, Prestige ensures its team is prepared. Employees are encouraged to drive EVs themselves, giving them firsthand knowledge and authentic insight to guide customers. And when it comes to staying current on EV tech and troubleshooting? Their customers turn to resources like Reddit and AI, so the Prestige team does, too. They stay current with the same digital tools their buyers are using in order to match their curiosity and expertise.

Matt’s leadership has gotten Prestige Volvo multiple manufacturer awards, landed him on Auto News 40 Under 40, and a seat on Volvo’s Retailer Advisor Board. But beyond accolades, what sets Prestige apart is its commitment to building a modern, electric-first dealership rooted in customer service, digital fluency, and the courage to lead. The dealership even made the choice to dedicate homepage space to EV education and visibility, rather than being directed by Volvo corporate – a decision that perfectly sums up their proactive, customer-first philosophy.

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AutoTeam Delaware: Investing in EV Expertise to Drive National Success

AutoTeam Delaware, a three-rooftop group including Delaware Cadillac, Kia of Wilmington, and Delaware Subaru, is having an outsized impact on EV sales in the North East Region.

Kia of Wilmington ranked in the top 3 for EV volume in the Philadelphia region in 2024, against locations with higher overall volumes. Delaware Cadillac has had sales months in 2023 and 2024 where they had some of the highest rate of Cadillac LYRIQ EV model sales in the entire North East region. AutoTeam Delaware's EV success isn’t accidental—it’s earned through intentional investment in education and training. While many dealerships hesitate to commit to electric vehicles, AutoTeam Delaware has embraced EVs. And it shows: this modestly sized dealership group has sold vehicles to 46 different states in the past five years, many of them EVs.

“How do you sell a car to someone in Oregon from a dealership in Delaware?” asks Lee Asher, Vice President & General Manager. “You do the work. Some dealers still have a bias against EVs—that’s how we’ve made these sales. Not liking EVs is as arbitrary as not liking cars that are the color red.  At the end of the day, EVs have four wheels and a steering wheel, and selling vehicles is how we make a living. We’ve chosen to embrace it.”

Asher goes on to say that their wide sales reach is easy to understand given their wholehearted support for EVs. If a dealership has opted out of selling or educating their team on electric cars, the sales will go to a dealership that has opted in. And that’s AutoTeam Delaware. While other dealerships pick and choose who - and if - to train on EVs, AutoTeam Delaware ensures all sales consultants across Cadillac, Kia, and Subaru are 100% certified to sell electric vehicles.

That mindset fuels everything at AutoTeam Delaware. In the North Eastern Region, electric Cadillac sales have recently hovered around 50% and Asher wants his team to remain competitive, so they have made big investments in EV readiness—over $300,000 in facility and personnel upgrades. When Cadillac hosted a nationwide EV training summit in Las Vegas this past Spring, management didn’t just send one or two employees—they sent nearly the entire team. It was a big investment, but one they knew would pay off.

Their technician team is equally impressive, boasting two world-class ranked Cadillac technicians. A state-of-the-art Kia EV service center is under construction, set to open in 2026 with the most advanced EV tools and diagnostics available, and an expansion of their Subaru Service Center will follow.

AutoTeam Delaware’s commitment isn’t just about product knowledge. They seek to deliver confidence to buyers. Whether they walk in from down the street or reach out from across the country, Lee Asher, “just wants to make it super easy.”

By prioritizing real EV fluency across every brand and role, AutoTeam Delaware is proving that when you invest in your people, customers notice.