List · October 29, 2026 · 2 min read
How to build a list of car dealerships and their managers
Five steps to a list of car dealerships and the managers who buy: pick the stores, map the groups, find the roles, verify contacts, keep it fresh.
A useful prospect list has three layers: the dealerships you can sell to, the group each one belongs to, and the managers who buy what you sell, with contacts that work. Here is how to build it in five steps, by hand or in one search.
Define the stores
Step 1
Decide franchise or independent, which OEMs, which states, and what size. Manufacturer dealer locators, Google Maps and state dealer license lookups list the stores; export what you can into one sheet with a row per rooftop.
Map each store to its group
Step 2
Many stores trade under a local name but belong to a group. Group websites list their stores and leaders. Put the group name on every row so you can sell to the group, not just the store.
Largest dealer groups →Find the managers by role
Step 3
Staff pages and LinkedIn name the GM and department heads. Search by role rather than exact title: a used car manager might be listed as pre-owned director.
Dealership job titles →Get verified emails and mobiles
Step 4
Email finders such as Hunter guess the address from the store’s domain pattern; verify each one before you send. Mobiles take a contact database.
Finding a GM’s email →Keep it fresh
Step 5
Managers change stores and stores change hands. Re-verify before every send and treat a job change as a new contact at a new store.
Why dealer lists go stale →The shortcut
DealerData does steps one to four in one search: filter by state, OEM, dealer group, store size and role, see names and titles free, then unlock verified emails and mobiles and push them to your CRM or a CSV.
Start with 50 stores you can actually serve. A tight list you work properly beats ten thousand rows you never call.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a list of car dealerships?
Manufacturer dealer locators, Google Maps and state dealer license lookups list stores; a dealership database such as DealerData gives you stores, groups and managers together.
How do I find the managers at each dealership?
Use staff pages and LinkedIn to find names by role, then an email finder or a dealership database for verified emails and mobiles.
How often should I update a dealership prospect list?
Re-verify contacts shortly before each send; managers move between stores often.
Find the right person at every dealership.
Search free. Verified work emails and mobiles when you need them.
