Northwood University’s first appearance at the Hendrick Honda Collegiate Sales Competition in Wilmington, North Carolina, was led by a Top 10 finish by a student from Midland, Michigan.
Ainsley Newcomb finished in the Top 10 among 180 competitors representing universities from across the country. Eleven students from Northwood University’s sales management program competed at the event, which engaged students in realistic automotive sales scenarios that required them to demonstrate their ability to build relationships, identify customer needs, and deliver value-driven solutions in a highly competitive environment.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for stepping into a new competition environment and representing Northwood with professionalism and confidence,” said Dr. Andrew Anderson, assistant professor of marketing and sales at Northwood University. “Experiential learning opportunities like this allow students to apply classroom concepts in real-world situations, and automotive sales provides a dynamic setting where communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills are essential.”
The competition, hosted by Hendrick Honda, required students to navigate customer conversations, present vehicle solutions, and handle objections in a fast-paced, customer-centric setting. These experiences mirror real-world dealership environments and prepare students for careers in sales across multiple industries.
Northwood’s sales management degree program emphasizes hands-on learning through role-playing simulations, national competitions, and direct engagement with industry professionals. Students benefit from dedicated training spaces and faculty mentorship that help them refine their sales techniques and build confidence.
“Experiential events are part of what makes Northwood unique, and having the opportunity to participate in this amazing event was invaluable for our students,” said Dr. Dave Oventhal, division chair of the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies (CAMS) at Northwood University. “Automotive sales continue to evolve with technology and changing consumer expectations, and experiences like this help our students understand how to connect with customers and deliver solutions in a modern retail environment.”
CAMS is committed to fostering innovation, excellence, and sustainability in the automotive and automotive aftermarket industries by providing top-notch education, research, emerging technologies, and industry partnerships. CAMS encompasses Northwood’s automotive marketing & management and automotive aftermarket management programs, as well as the new automotive & mobility studies BBA, and the new motorsports concentration. Additionally, the CAMS Research Institute conducts leading-edge scholarly and practical research to help businesses solve current and future industry challenges.
To learn more about CAMS, email Dr. Dave Oventhal at and visit northwood.edu/cams. For more information about Northwood’s sales management program, email Dr. Andrew Anderson at and visit northwood.edu/programs/sales-management.
