SmartGroups™

What SmartGroups™ does

ARC Automotive Reinsurance Concepts — operating as ARC Nation and SmartGroups™ — is a privately held, founder-led consulting and services firm serving independent and franchised automotive dealerships across the United States from a Clinton, Missouri base. Founded in 2020 by CEO Justin M. Osburn, the firm operates with a lean team (approximately six named principals plus consultants, trainers, and moderators) and reports 92 dealer clients. The company executes four intertwined revenue mechanics: (i) professional services consulting and bootcamps across retail, F&I, fixed operations, sales, and technician training; (ii) recurring ARC 20 Group memberships organized into nine Greek-god-branded peer cohorts and powered by the proprietary LinUs® financial benchmarking software; (iii) transaction-based distribution of vehicle service agreements, GAP coverage, theft and tire/wheel protection, appearance/chemical protection, key replacement, and prepaid maintenance through partner carriers (Endurance, ASC, Axiom, DKP, MBPI, LoJack); and (iv) managed reinsurance program formation including Retro Participation, CFC, Super CFC, DOWC (Dealer Owned Warranty Company), and NCFC structures that allow dealers to own captive insurance entities.

The technology stack combines the LinUs® benchmarking platform — collecting 20 Group member financial data for comparative performance tracking — with CarChief® Smart Vehicle Intelligence, a predictive diagnostic product positioned to flag vehicle issues before warning lights appear and to feed automated service scheduling. Distribution relies on direct field sales (on-site consulting at upscale venues, virtual sessions, bootcamps), industry associations (NIADA and state IADA affiliates — GIADA, CIADA, VIADA, TIADA, AIADA, OIADA — plus delivery of NIADA's Certified Master Dealer program), and earned media on CBT News/Inside Automotive and Auto Remarketing. Vertical reach now extends beyond core automotive retail into RV/Camper, Motorcycle, and Power Sports dealers.

The business model is overwhelmingly service-, relationship-, and compliance-driven: pricing is quote-based and contracted multi-year rather than posted publicly, and recurring revenue derives from 20 Group subscriptions and ongoing reinsurance/warranty program administration layered on top of project-based consulting fees.

Name

SmartGroups™

Legal name

ARC Automotive Reinsurance Concepts

Website

https://smart20groups.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARC Automotive Reinsurance Concepts (dba ARC Nation, SmartGroups™) provides dealership consulting, training, 20 Group peer benchmarking, reinsurance program formation, and warranty distribution to roughly 92 U.S. independent, franchise, RV, motorcycle, and powersports dealers from a Clinton, Missouri base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dealer Consulting and Peer Collaboration Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards (THAHAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Affinity, Membership & Association Referral Programs (FSAEAMAL)

Keywords

• Dealer 20 groups
• Peer collaboration networks
• Financial benchmarking software
• Dealership consulting services
• Automotive training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Dealership consulting services for retail, sales, fixed operations, F&I, and technician training provided through 1-on-1 consulting, virtual sessions, on-site visits, and bootcamps.
2. 20 Group Memberships: Peer collaboration groups named after Greek gods (Zeus, Adonis, Achilles, Poseidon, Artemis, Morpheus, Nike, Midas) providing benchmarking, accountability, and networking for dealers at various stages.
3. Warranty Products & VSAs: Vehicle Service Agreements, GAP coverage, theft protection, tire & wheel protection, appearance protection, chemical protection, key replacement, and prepaid maintenance plans.
4. Reinsurance Programs: Formation and management of reinsurance programs including Retro Participation, CFC, Super CFC, DOWC (Dealer Owned Warranty Company), and NCFC to help dealers build wealth through owning insurance companies or earning underwriting profits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SmartGroups™ operates the branded peer collaboration and consulting arm of ARC Nation, organizing independent and franchised automotive dealerships into Greek-god-themed 20 Groups (Zeus, Adonis, Achilles, Artemis, Athena, Poseidon, Morpheus, Nike, Midas) for benchmarking, accountability, and networking. Members receive the proprietary LinUs® financial benchmarking platform, on-site and virtual consulting across retail, F&I, fixed ops, sales, and technician development, plus access to warranty and reinsurance products offered through the parent ARC ecosystem.

Product overview

ARC Nation operates as a unified dealer success platform offering a comprehensive suite of integrated services for independent and franchised automotive dealerships. The core portfolio consists of four pillars: (1) Reinsurance Programs including Retro Participation, CFC, Super CFC, DOWC, and NCFC for wealth building; (2) ARC 20 Groups providing peer collaboration, financial benchmarking (via LinUs software), and expert consulting across multiple dealer segments; (3) Warranties & Vehicle Service Agreements encompassing protection products like VSA, GAP, Roadside Assistance, CarChief Smart Vehicle Intelligence, Theft Protection, and Prepaid Maintenance; and (4) Training & Consulting Programs covering Retail, F&I, Fixed Operations, Sales, and Technician Development. The offerings work together as an end-to-end dealer success ecosystem where reinsurance and warranty products generate revenue while 20 Groups and training programs provide the operational guidance and peer accountability to maximize profitability across all dealership departments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARC 20 Groups (SmartGroups™ branded) Peer collaboration dealer groups named after Greek gods (Zeus, Adonis, Achilles, Artemis, Athena, Poseidon, Morpheus, Nike, Midas) providing nationwide independent and franchise dealerships with peer collaboration, financial benchmarking software (LinUs), and expert consulting to enhance efficiency and profitability.
• LinUs® Financial Benchmarking Software Proprietary financial benchmarking software that powers ARC's dealer 20 Groups, providing data-driven financial comparison and performance tracking for dealer members.
• Retail Training & Consulting Dealership retail consulting and training programs covering sales process discipline, leadership accountability, and retail performance improvement through hands-on consulting and operational benchmarking.
• F&I Training & Consulting Finance & Insurance training and consulting focused on maximizing product penetration, compliance, and F&I department performance through structured training programs and direct consulting engagements.
• Fixed Operations Training & Consulting Service department performance consulting covering technician productivity, service drive efficiency, parts alignment, and long-term fixed operations profitability.
• Sales Training & Consulting Automotive sales training and consulting led by Rob Whistle focusing on sales leadership, team accountability, desking discipline, inventory strategy, and structured retail execution for measurable performance improvement.
• Online Technician Training 24/7 online technician training program providing virtual training, real-world service scenarios, and skill-building modules for technician development, service department consistency, and team retention. Includes on-site technician consulting and service department assessments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dealers have grown from 25 vehicles and $30,000 net profit to 60 vehicles and over $100,000 net profit in under 60 days with ARC guidance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIADA (National Independent Automobile Dealers Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerARC is affiliated with NIADA and offers the Certified Master Dealer course. Justin Osburn served as retail 20 Groups moderator and consultant for NIADA and was lead instructor for NIADA's acclaimed Certified Master Dealer course.
• State Dealer Associations (GIADA, CIADA, VIADA, TIADA, AIADA, OIADA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerARC maintains affiliations with multiple state dealer associations supporting independent dealers across the U.S., including Georgia, Colorado, Virginia, Texas, Alabama, and Ohio.
• NAIDA Certified Master DealercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerARC offers NIADA's Certified Master Dealer program, providing certification and training for independent dealers.
• LinUs® (Linus Report)coreTechnology or IntegrationARC's proprietary financial benchmarking software powering Dealer 20 Groups with financial comparison, data analytics, and performance tracking for member dealerships.
• CBT NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry media partner featuring ARC consultants and content. Cory Collins and Justin Osburn appear on CBT News/Inside Automotive.
• Auto RemarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry publication partner featuring ARC content, articles, and podcasts about dealership operations and training.
• DOWC (Dealer Owned Warranty Company)coreTechnology or IntegrationDOWC is ARC's Dealer Owned Warranty Company reinsurance program option, allowing dealers to own their own warranty company for wealth building and profit retention.
• EnduranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEndurance GAP program offered through ARC, providing guaranteed asset protection products to dealer clients.
• ASC®minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASC vehicle service contract program offered through ARC with consumer brochures in English and Spanish.
• Axiom®minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAxiom VSC programs (Standard, Ultra, TREK), GAP, theft protection, paint & interior, prepaid maintenance, and other protection products distributed through ARC.
• DKP®minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDKP vehicle service agreement, limited warranties, auto protection plans, BHPH programs, and specialty products (motorcycle, RV, heavy duty) offered through ARC.
• MBPI®minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMBPI VSC, GAP, lease, OEM, tire & wheel, and total protection products offered through ARC.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DealerStrong: DealerStrong offers sales, F&I, and BDC training plus in-dealership coaching for independent and franchise dealers. It is a direct peer to ARC's training-and-consulting pillar, particularly in F&I bootcamps.
• DOWC (Dealer Owned Warranty Company): DOWC is both a partner and competitor — it underwrites dealer-owned reinsurance/captive warranty structures that ARC distributes. As a direct competitor in the dealer-owned reinsurance space, DOWC offers dealers a captive alternative ARC may also recommend or form on their behalf.
• Automotive Training Institute (ATI): ATI provides dealership sales, F&I, BDC, and management training along with consulting for independent and franchise dealers. It competes head-to-head with ARC's Retail, F&I, and Sales training programs and shares the same target customer profile.
• Dealer Performance Group (DPG): DPG runs fixed-ops and variable-ops focused 20 Group-style peer collaboration for dealers, with benchmarking and consulting services. It is directly comparable to ARC's 20 Group portfolio (especially Adonis Fixed Ops and the fixed ops training pillar).
• NCM Associates: NCM is the long-standing incumbent in the dealership 20 Group and benchmarking space, operating NCM 20 Groups and the Total Selling System. It is the closest comparable to ARC's 20 Group + financial benchmarking model for franchised dealerships, though it skews more franchise and larger-dealer focused.
• KPA / KPA Risk Management: KPA provides dealer-focused compliance, F&I training, and risk management services. While more compliance-centric than ARC's operational training, it targets the same independent and franchise dealer base with subscription-style service engagements.

Emerging players

• Total Dealer Compliance: Total Dealer Compliance focuses on F&I compliance, training, and audit services for dealers. It is an emerging, narrower peer to ARC's F&I training and consulting pillar, particularly relevant to independent dealers needing compliance-focused support.

Broad incumbents

• Cox Automotive (Dealertrack, vAuto, Xtime): Cox Automotive owns a suite of dealer SaaS and services (Dealertrack, vAuto, Xtime, Manheim) that overlap with ARC's warranty, F&I, and service-retention offerings. As a broad incumbent it competes indirectly by bundling analytics, F&I, and fixed-ops capabilities dealers might otherwise source from ARC.
• JM&A Group: JM&A Group provides F&I training, reinsurance, and consulting services primarily to franchised dealers through its F&I product menus and dealer-owned reinsurance programs. It is a broader, more franchise-focused incumbent that overlaps ARC's F&I training, warranty, and reinsurance offerings.
• Reynolds and Reynolds: Reynolds provides dealership management systems, F&I solutions, and document services. It is a broad incumbent whose F&I product menu and dealership software stack compete with elements of ARC's warranty/VSA distribution and consulting recommendations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartgroups%E2%84%A2

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SmartGroups™