Sohail Ahmed is a pioneering automotive entrepreneur and educator, best known as the founder of Car Dealership University (CDU) and the creator of the Digital Dealership Method. A revolutionary system enabling people to build high-margin, remote car dealerships without the overhead of traditional operations.
His journey began in the traditional automotive world, where he experienced firsthand the challenges of high fixed costs, volume-driven sales pressure, and geographical limitations. Determined to create a smarter, more profitable model, Sohail spent years refining a process that leveraged technology, strategic sourcing, and streamlined operations to achieve 60–80% higher profit margins per vehicle compared to conventional dealerships.
From Part-Time Mechanic to Dealership Owner
A CDU student transformed a side hustle into a full dealership. Starting with no retail license, he learned CDU’s financing-first, digital sales model, closed deals remotely, and built a repeatable workflow. With access to auctions, compliant documentation, and ongoing mentorship, he scaled from flipping cars to running a dealership with healthy margins.
Advice to new students: Start with approvals, not inventory. Keep overhead light, docs tight, and ask for help early.
Car Dealership University (CDU) is a global leader in modern automotive entrepreneurship, helping aspiring and experienced dealers transition from outdated, high-overhead dealership models to profitable, remote-first digital dealerships.
Built on the foundation of the Digital Dealership Method, CDU equips students with everything they need to succeed in today’s fast-changing car market — from advanced sourcing strategies and digital sales systems to financing tools and international export opportunities. Unlike traditional dealerships that require massive upfront capital, licenses, and lots filled with inventory, CDU provides a lean, scalable, and beginner-friendly approach that lets students earn from day one.
Chems Benlaifaoui:
UAE Wholesale Expert
Chems is Middle East Car market expert. He has years of experience working with wholesalers, car auctions and salvage rebuilders in UAE. He advises car dealers which cars are in demand and their wholesale values. He helps car dealers who want to enter the car dealership industry in UAE by training them specifically on what cars to export, their current values and demand in the market. He advises and understands both GCC Spec and American Spec cars.
At CDU he advises students on a daily basis giving them feedback for cars that they want to export. He understands the shipping costs and advises you exactly what to pay for cars as you purchase them in USA and Canada for export.
Faiz Mohammed
“I need to break my own record, how do I do it?”
Faiz knows how to deliver cars fast. His experience operating the busiest car dealership delivery center in North America is a testament to his understanding of optimizing workflow. He is an expert at how you can optimize your operations and staff to reach ultimate efficiency and productivity. He has a unique approach to operations and teaches the foundational principals to deliver to customers hundreds of cars in a single day, every single day on repeat.
At CDU he advises our students how to build an efficient and productive team. At CDU he will help you interview, assess and train staff to help you optimize for maximum efficiency.
Sohail Ahmed:
Car Dealer University founder.
Sohail started a car dealership as a teenager 17 years ago and turned it into a car dealership incubator. He designs the training programs for new car dealers, new exporters while traveling often between America, Canada and the Middle East.
At CDU he mentors every student 1-1 directly to help them reach their dealership goals and to connect them with other dealers and exporters around the world.
Hiba Khan
Dealer Learning and Compliance Manager
“I want to export/finance/buy/sell my first car in Canada/USAl, who should I connect with?
Hiba touches every single car deal and is the primary connector between dealers, teachers and staff. If you are financing your first car, she will connect you with the right person who will guide you and help you understand how to do it on your own. If you are planning to visit dubai, she will coordinate your meetings with our staff and teachers, if you have a lead for someone who wants to buy a car, she will coordinate getting the deal done and getting you paid the commission.
At CDU, she handles all the money that gets paid out to students after reviewing the deal for completion.
Chems Benlaifaoui:
UAE Wholesale Expert
Chems is Middle East Car market expert. He has years of experience working with wholesalers, car auctions and salvage rebuilders in UAE. He advises car dealers which cars are in demand and their wholesale values. He helps car dealers who want to enter the car dealership industry in UAE by training them specifically on what cars to export, their current values and demand in the market. He advises and understands both GCC Spec and American Spec cars.
At CDU he advises students on a daily basis giving them feedback for cars that they want to export. He understands the shipping costs and advises you exactly what to pay for cars as you purchase them in USA and Canada for export.
Faiz Mohammed
“I need to break my own record, how do I do it?”
Faiz knows how to deliver cars fast. His experience operating the busiest car dealership delivery center in North America is a testament to his understanding of optimizing workflow. He is an expert at how you can optimize your operations and staff to reach ultimate efficiency and productivity. He has a unique approach to operations and teaches the foundational principals to deliver to customers hundreds of cars in a single day, every single day on repeat.
At CDU he advises our students how to build an efficient and productive team. At CDU he will help you interview, assess and train staff to help you optimize for maximum efficiency.
Sohail Ahmed:
Car Dealer University founder.
Sohail started a car dealership as a teenager 17 years ago and turned it into a car dealership incubator. He designs the training programs for new car dealers, new exporters while traveling often between America, Canada and the Middle East.
At CDU he mentors every student 1-1 directly to help them reach their dealership goals and to connect them with other dealers and exporters around the world.
At CDU, you’ll be working on building and running your own Digital Dealership. This includes sourcing vehicles, connecting with buyers, managing transactions, and using our proven deal flow system. For certain roles within CDU, tasks may also include administrative duties, bookkeeping, and compliance tracking — with about 30% of time spent on financial reporting and the rest on operational processes.
Not right away. One of the advantages of the Digital Dealership Method is that you can begin as a referral partner and earn from day one while using CDU’s backend systems and licenses. Eventually, we guide you through the process of obtaining your own license for greater independence.
We provide access to a full technology suite, including:
Many students start earning within their first 30 days. Our Fast-Track Process lets you begin as a referral partner, earning 40–50% of deal profits from day one. Most recoup their initial investment within 2–3 successful deals.
Persistence and proactive engagement. Our top students are constantly asking questions, following up, and seeking clarity. Don’t be afraid to be hands-on — even if it feels like you’re “annoying” your mentor. That dedication is what leads to results.
CDU graduates often build businesses generating $200K–$400K/year in profit. Many hit consistent $10K–$20K months within 6–12 months, depending on their effort, market, and strategy.
At CDU, you’ll be working on building and running your own Digital Dealership. This includes sourcing vehicles, connecting with buyers, managing transactions, and using our proven deal flow system. For certain roles within CDU, tasks may also include administrative duties, bookkeeping, and compliance tracking — with about 30% of time spent on financial reporting and the rest on operational processes.
Not right away. One of the advantages of the Digital Dealership Method is that you can begin as a referral partner and earn from day one while using CDU’s backend systems and licenses. Eventually, we guide you through the process of obtaining your own license for greater independence.
We provide access to a full technology suite, including:
Many students start earning within their first 30 days. Our Fast-Track Process lets you begin as a referral partner, earning 40–50% of deal profits from day one. Most recoup their initial investment within 2–3 successful deals.
Persistence and proactive engagement. Our top students are constantly asking questions, following up, and seeking clarity. Don’t be afraid to be hands-on — even if it feels like you’re “annoying” your mentor. That dedication is what leads to results.
CDU graduates often build businesses generating $200K–$400K/year in profit. Many hit consistent $10K–$20K months within 6–12 months, depending on their effort, market, and strategy.