You might remember back in 2020 when we launched RPM: Performance Masterclasses. For years, our online sessions gave dealers a space to learn, share ideas and hear directly from industry experts and the response from dealers across the industry was invaluable.
But over time, one message came through louder than any other: you wanted content that felt more real, more direct and more relevant to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities you face.
That feedback is what led us to launch Straight Torque. It’s our new stream of content on YouTube, designed to bring more honest conversations, dealer perspectives and straight-talking content to the forefront.
What is Straight Torque?
Straight Torque does what it says on the tin: straight-talking content from industry professionals who, between them have nearly 80 years of experience working with dealers, some having worked in dealerships themselves.
Our Straight-talking hosts, Marc, Greg and Hawk - speak to customers day in day out all over the country from OEMs, supermarkets, AM100 franchised groups to single owner operators with 5 cars. They've seen it all, and they’re sharing those stories with you.
Meet the hosts
Greg Newton
“Having spent my entire career in automotive, I’ve seen firsthand how the best dealers use market intelligence to stay ahead. On this channel, my goal is simple: challenge old habits, protect margin, and turn live data into an unfair advantage for your forecourt. What makes Straight Torque so exciting, is that it cuts straight to the point, delivering quick, high-impact tips for time-poor dealers who just want results without wasting a minute of their day.”
Marc Thornborough
Having been a part in helping to create our first digital team, products and service back in 1997 right through to today, one thing thats always inspired me is the enormous passion and drive our customers have in their businesses. The passion to help buyers find the right car and the drive to make their business a success. We developed Dealer Masterclasses many years ago to help dealers improve their performance and maximise the return on investment they get from Autotrader, using best practice examples, real world stories and actionable insights. No one else has the depth of data and insight that gives such an accurate reflection of buyers changing habits. Its really exciting to play a part once again in delivering these key messages in easy to digest, simple to understand episodes designed to help dealers sell more, sell quicker and ultimately make more money.
David Hawkswoth (Hawk)
I’ve always been a petrolhead, but my career actually started in the tech world, working for global brands across system design and data, and sales and marketing. Eventually, I decided to mix my day job with my favorite hobby and made the jump to the automotive industry. Since then, I’ve been helping retailers get the most out of their forecourts, both digital and physical, by using real data and proven strategies.
If there's one thing I've learned along the way, it's that nobody goes to work or builds a business just to be average. And that’s the whole idea behind Straight Torque. It’s designed as a space for ambitious dealers to grab a coffee, catch up, and pick up practical, no-nonsense advice to ensure they're doing everything they can to be the absolute best online, and off it.
How Straight Torque can help your dealership
Each week, we’ll be dropping bite-sized videos designed to help you retail smarter, sell more vehicles, and drive more profit. Every video will leave you with actionable hints and tips that are actually useful.
Less corporate presentation. More authentic chat.
Less polished jargon. More practical examples.
Less talking at dealers. More conversations with them.
From operational pressures and sales strategies to digital trends and customer behaviour, the channel focuses on the topics you live every day. Because the best insights rarely come from perfect presentations - they come from honest experiences. Get involved – let us know what you want to see more of!
The conversation continues
We’ll be releasing new episodes every week to share perspectives that matter and create content that helps dealers navigate a constantly shifting market.
And just like the move from masterclasses to YouTube, we’ll keep evolving based on feedback and what dealers want to see more of.
That’s Straight Torque.
