Dorfman Steps Down as APCO Chief
Larry Dorfman will step aside as chief executive of APCO Holdings, the company he founded 35 years ago and grew to include the EasyCare, GWC Warranty, and Covideo brands, yielding the company’s chairman and CEO position to former J.D. Power head Finbarr O’Neill.


NORCROSS, Ga. — After 35 years, Larry Dorfman has decided to step aside as chairman and CEO of APCO Holdings LLC and assume a role as senior advisor to the company to allow himself more time to focus on his family and personal life while still engaging in the things he is most passionate about: supporting dealers, agents, and the company’s employees, the company announced.
APCO is home to the EasyCare, GWC Warranty, SAVY, Covideo and MotorTrend Certified Vehicles brands, serving franchised and independent dealers, agents, OEMs and other distribution channels.

Finbarr O’Neill will succeed Dorfman as chairman and CEO. In his new role, O’Neill will focus on operational effectiveness and strategy to strengthen APCO’s position as the premier provider of vehicle service contracts, ancillary products, and administrative services. O’Neill joined APCO’s board of directors in March of last year.
“Fin has a proven track record as a CEO in large companies in the automotive business,” Dorfman said. “He is already a part of our team and knows our company, so he is well-positioned to serve as a catalyst to help take APCO to next level and that is exactly what we intend to do. As we grow, we intend to continue to be innovators and leaders in our sector of the industry while we maintain our claims and customer service excellence. To meet these expectations while managing our growth, we needed a person like Fin who understands the needs of the industry and unique culture we have built for our employees.”
O’Neill most recently served as president and CEO of J.D. Power, where he helped lead the firm through a period of dramatic expansion into data and analytics and the integration of strategic acquisitions, including the NADA Used Car Guide and National Appraisal Guides. He previously served as CEO for Hyundai Motor America, Mitsubishi North America, and Reynolds and Reynolds.
“Larry has had an amazingly positive impact on the retail automotive industry. He has blazed a trail for 35 years and I’m excited to accept the baton in this time of great change in the automotive business. It’s especially exciting to be with a team devoted to helping dealers navigate these changes,” O’Neill said. “Consumer behaviors are driving tremendous change, not only in their digital shopping habits but in their desire to limit risk across their lives. There is a real opportunity to meet their need to insure against unexpected outlays in connection with vehicle ownership.”
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Industry

Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →