AutoConverse :: Mobility & Connectivity

In this episode: Recent train derailments have Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the hot seat; Hyundai and Kia launch service campaign to prevent theft of vehicles targeted by social media challenge; Hyundai wants to simplify EV ownership with new subscription program; Ford sells majority stake in Rivian, plans to build EV battery plant with Chinese partner; General Motors Digs Into Mining Business; Tesla agrees to double supercharger network, open to all EVs; SpaceX tests global Starlink roaming service; Plus…important answers about residential solar power for your home. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff.  

In this episode: Florida pulls $2 billion from BlackRock in largest anti-ESG divestment; SpaceX Gets Green Light To Launch 7,500 More Starlink Satellites; Tesla extends FSD access;  GM supports EV shoppers with a call center; Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee; Sony-Honda autonomous EV with a PS5; Trend of the Year - Tech Layoffs. Plus, a conversation about the used car market, Carvana's looming bankruptcy, and the fate of push-button car shopping. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff.

In this episode: House Passes Bill to Avert a Rail Strike; Amazon is gutting Alexa; Neuralink faces federal probe, employee backlash over animal tests; Tesla delivers its first electric semi trucks; Domino's buys 800 Chevrolet Bolt EVs; Ford's new EV dealer network; Toyota Uses Hydrogen Like Gasoline; Honda will start US production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2024; Rolls Royce to create the world's first hydrogen powered aero-jet-engine; Renewable energy predicted to surpass coal by 2025. Plus, a conversation about the illusion of privacy. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff. 

In this episode: COP27 Talks Begin With Deal to Discuss Climate Reparations; Ford exec rings alarm on EV charging and battery raw materials; Hyundai Ranked 1st in Global Hydrogen Car Sales; BMW plans to invest $1.7 billion in U.S. to produce electric vehicles in South Carolina; Canoo to build battery manufacturing facility in Oklahoma; Everledger and Ford introduce battery passport pilot; Can EV Buses act as “batteries on wheels?” Plus: Record high auto finance interest rates, and what really is an instant cash offer for your vehicle? Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff.

In this episode: Snap and Amazon partner on AR shopping for eyewear; Volkswagen to go fully electric by 2033; GM touts millions of miles driven with Super Cruise; Sunrun to offer smart home charging stations; create 17-MW energy storage virtual power plant in Puerto Rico; GM plans to onshore critical battery component manufacturing processes; Europe adopts law requiring Apple to support USB-C chargers; Saudi Arabia Breaks Ground on The Line Megacity - SpaceX Dismantles Hyperloop Test Tunnel. Plus…How your tires might be causing roadkill you never imagined. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff. 

In this episode: Musk expands his empire by completing the purchase of Twitter; Ford and Volkswagen pull the plug on robocar unit Argo AI; GM ready to power all US facilities with renewable energy by 2025; Toyota to launch large-capacity Sweep Energy Storage System from reused electrified vehicle batteries; Wind Turbine Blades Can't Be Recycled, Piling Up in Landfills; SpaceX starts accepting Starlink for RVs orders. Plus, rising demand for electricity and how electric vehicles are impacting the scrapping business. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff. 

In this episode: Jay Leno Teams Up With General Motors To Build A Jet Car; Kanye West to buy conservative social media platform Parler; UberEats to deliver pot in Toronto; Circle K gas stations are adding weed for convenient pickup; GM takes on Tesla with its own solar power and energy storage system; Tesla launches a Wall Connector for non-Tesla vehicles; AWS and BMW develop cloud platform for connected cars; SpaceX Unveils Starlink Internet Services for Private Jets; IRS releases details on how your tax rate could change next year: TikTok Parent ByteDance Planned To Use TikTok To Monitor The Physical Location Of Specific American Citizens; Plus: How an AI concierge service will benefit auto shoppers. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff. Thanks. 

In this episode: Inflation keeps getting worse; Alex Jones ordered to pay nearly $1B; TikTok chases Amazon with plans for US fulfillment centers; SpaceX provides Florida with Starlink satellites after Hurricane Ian, GM launching new business to connect homes and business with EV chargers and energy storage; Plus…A discussion on the adoption of EVs and the surprising return rate - EV owners going back to gas powered cars. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff.

In this episode: Honda, LG announce $4.4 billion US battery factory for EVs; GM Set To Invest $491 Million Into EV Upgrades For Indiana Plant; Intel breaks ground on its $20b chip plant; General Motors To Be First Client Partner For NBCUnified; Tesla Cranking Out 6,500 Powerwalls, 9K Battery Packs A Week In Nevada; GM's self-driving car unit to offer driverless rides in Phoenix, Austin this year; Tesla is building four enormous Supercharger locations in California; General Motors and Kroger launching electric grocery cart; GM to sell up to 175,000 electric vehicles to Hertz through 2027; Why is a NASA spacecraft crashing into an asteroid? Plus…Auto industry insider shares crazy Info about the centralized bank system and the impending used car bubble. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff. 

In this episode: We pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II who passed away last week at the age of 96; A look at looming corporate job cuts; California energy hypocrisy, Royal Caribbean to deploy Starlink Satellite Internet with SpaceX; Nissan LEAF bi-directional charging approved; a breakthrough with plastics and diamonds; and more. Plus…more car buying tips with industry insiders including tax credits for brick and mortar business owners who supply recharging services for EV owners. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. Support this podcast with our affiliate link and earn free stuff. 

In this episode: California set to ban sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035; Toyota and ChargePoint partner to offer home and public charging; Department of Energy wants feedback on how to recycle lithium-ion batteries; Biden administration launches airline customer service dashboard for canceled or delayed flights; Elon Musk says self-driving Tesla could be ready by the end of the year; Plus, what is the “scam” behind EVs, and what to expect when buying a new car today. 

In this episode: President Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act. What will it actually do? Transportation Department proposes new rules for refunds with airlines; Nissan launches financial framework to fund electrified vehicles, mobility; Raytheon Technologies to Test Hydrogen and Ammonia as Clean Power Fuel Sources; Plus…What to know about ESG Ratings, and a glimpse into at BEV development and natural resources with the Kwak Bros. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew. 

In this episode: Senate Democrats pass budget package; Automakers scramble to decode EV Tax credits; Apple eyes fuel purchases from dashboard as it revs up car software; Ford secures battery cell capacity to support EV run rate for late 2023; GM is expanding its hands-free Super Cruise system to 400,000 miles of roads; GM to Punish Buyers Who Flip High-Demand Vehicles; and Toyota's Push for Hydrogen Fuel Cells Over Electric Batteries; Plus…Meet Super AI Overlord Aaddin; and what to do about hypocrisy on carbon emissions. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew.

In this episode…US Gasoline Prices Fall to Two-Month Low With Pump Pain Easing; Automakers Plan to Build Fewer Cars to Keep Prices Higher; World Economic Forum Says It Is ‘Time to Look Beyond' Private Vehicle Ownership; Tesla-Hertz Partnership Expands to Sixteen New Cities; JetBlue to buy Spirit Airlines to become the fifth-largest US carrier; and more. Plus…Jeremiah Fox on Dealing with Adversity, and Plensy Chief Revenue Officer Brandi Kolosky talks about her company's patent-pending auto lending solution on blockchain. Brought to you in part by Morning Brew.

In this episode…Airline sales soar, along with chaos; Pete Buttigieg launches $1B pilot to build racial equity in America's roads; Virgin Galactic postpones first commercial flights to next year; Venice Plans to Start Weeding Out Cheap Tourists; Starbucks to close 16 stores citing personal safety concerns; Grubhub and Amazon offer Prime members one-year of $0 food delivery; Japan will begin locking people up for online comments; Automakers Are Starting to Drop AM Radio in New Cars: Plus…conversations with Allen Taylor and Scott Cunningham about Elon Musk buying Twitter, Regulation and Decentralization of Crypto, and more…See full video replay and show notes on this blog and Make 1984 Fiction Again by JP Sears. 

In this episode…Uber settles disability lawsuit; Delta buys 100 Boeing Max planes; Snapchat comes to desktop and offers premium service; Ford is sticking with plans for non-negotiable EV pricing; Ford June sales disappoint; US Approves SpaceX's Starlink Internet for use with Ships, Boats, Planes; Scientists have created worms that can kill cancer cells; Scientists create algae computer powered by photosynthesis;  Robotic surgeons lead to faster recovery. Plus…Cryptosocial Author Allen Taylor joins us for a discussion of his new book - How Cryptocurrency is Changing Social Media. See blog for details.

In this episode…Tesla Supercharging Network Expands to 35k Stalls; Tesla calling on Powerwall users to help support the grid; GM files patent application for anti-motion sickness technology for autonomous vehicles; Uber Eats pilots autonomous delivery with Serve Robotics, Motional; Plus…Why is the Biden Administration secretly shipping US oil reserves to China? And a discussion about auto shoppinng with three Great Women in Technology: Brandi Kolosky, Michelle Dillard, Kelly Saunders.

In this bonus episode…High Gas Prices, Inflation drama hits Hollywood, Toyota cuts vehicle production over global chip shortage, Airbnb: The party is over, Retail workers don't feel safe, SEC vs. Ripple. 

In this episode…President Biden is scrambling to find ways to reduce gas prices; Travel Armageddon in the Airline industry continues; Toyota introduces home storage battery system based on EV battery technology; Toyota Rolls Out First Battery Electric Car In Cautious Debut As Rivals Go Full-Throttle; Tesla Building The World's Largest Supercharger Station in the Mojave Desert; Plus…A conversation with AskOtto CEO about Frictionless Auto Shopping. See show notes and complete video replay at AutoConverse.com. 

In this episode…Toyota to suspend output in Japan after supplier hit by cyberattack; JPMorgan bets metaverse is a $1 trillion yearly opportunity as it becomes first bank to open in virtual world; Elon Musk Says Tesla Accepts Dogecoin To Pay Turbochargers; Colorado to become the first state to accept cryptocurrency as payment for taxes; Intel set to reveal ‘energy efficient' bitcoin mining chip; Ford and Sunrun partnering to advance home energy management using F-150 Lightning. Plus…a conversation with Dogeparty co-founder Ryan Baptiste and a special wellness segment with Life Coach Nikki Gangemi. 

In this episode…today is the day the Freedom Convoy 2022 USA is set to arrive in Washington, D.C. Will this cause another disruption to supply chains, or even a bank run like in Canada? Also, a peek at our 4th Annual Super Bowl Commercial Review of mobility tech & connectivity ads; Plus, health and wellness tips for workplace culture.  

In this episode…Host Ryan Gerardi meets with GM retailer Ryan Easter to talk about General Motors' used car market coming this spring called CarBravo. Meanwhile, truckers in Canada form the ‘Freedom Convoy' against government vaccine mandates inspire an international movement while also testing supply chains. Wisk Aero secures $450M from the Boeing company; UK self-driving startup Wayve raises $200M to scale up technologies; GM to Invest $6.5 billion at 2 Michigan Sites for EV and Battery Production; Smartcar Raises $24 Million To Help Connect Cars To Consumers; Mopar Debuts New Wall Chargers for Jeep 4xe & Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs; New Mexico May tax tickets to space on Virgin Galactic. 

The future of auto shopping is up for grabs and startups such as Carvana are changing perceptions of what people think about their car buying experience. In this episode we hear from industry experts on the subject of what consumers expect and what it will take for dealers to thrive moving forward as contemporary auto retailers. This is the first of a two-part piece on the subject. Plus…Tesla Store Starts Accepting the Dogecoin for some merchandise; Tesla Owner Mines Bitcoin Ethereum With His Car; GM Says It Will Launch A Personal Self Driving Car By 2025; And, will your car be affected by the shutdown of Commercial 3G?

A annual tradition of Host & Producer Ryan Gerardi: A Look Back at the “coronavirus” in early 2020 and the following year's Super Bowl; A Look Up at our interviews with DiveDesign Co-Founder Alexander Tholl about pet prosthetics and mobility, and with AskOtto CEO Eric Brown about earning rewards while car shopping; and a Look Ahead at what to expect from the podcast in 2022. 

In this special final episode of Season 10 and 2021 we feature the complete live recording of our final MTC Show of the year with a nod to blockchain and mobility technology: SpaceX launches an Ethereum node to the International Space Station; Red Bull Racing Honda has confirmed a technical partnership with Tezos; Tesla Model Pi Smartphone Will Launch With Starlink Technology; Jaguar Land Rover Trials World's First Blockchain Tech for Leather Supply Chain; Honda, Google Expand Collaboration On Connected Services. 

In this episode…An in-depth analysis of the new Infrastructure bill with public transit lobbyist and podcaster Paul Comfort; a rehash of mobility tech and connectivity news; Electric Batteries, Not Engines, Drive New Mobility and AutoTech; plus…7 Ways Biden's Infrastructure Bill Could Change Your Future Car.  

In this episode...A look at the new bipartisan infrastructure bill and 7 ways the bill will affect the future car, Verizon and Nissan connect for car safety using 5G MEC, Facebook will shut down facial recognition system, EcoCAR EV Challenge,Tennessee approves incentives for Ford's Blue Oval City project at the Memphis Regional Megasite, GM's newest off-road, self-driving rover for moon, and Elon Musk's surprising opinion about climate change.   

In this episode...Ford becomes first major US automaker to mandate vaccines; Boeing Mandates Covid Vaccine for all U.S. Workers;  The U.S. Airlines Most Likely to Delay or Cancel Your Flight, According to a New Study; Facebook just revealed its new name: Meta; GM will work with dealers to install 40,000 EV charging stations across North America; Hyundai to Launch Robotaxis in Las Vegas in 2023; Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Announces Plans For Space Business Park; Plus...Extended conversation with about COVID-19 vaccine mandates and requirements on local businesses and peoples' careers. 

In this episode...Hertz buys 100,000 Tesla EVs; Behavior-based car insurance; Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Problems Continuel; Tesla China Launches New Massive Delivery Center; Toyota to build a US battery plant as part of a $3.4 billion investment; GM in US to reach 100% renewable energy in 2025; William Shatner goes to space on Blue Origin rocket; Plus...Conversation with NYC Restaurateur about COVID-19 vaccine requirements for SOME indoor businesses in the 5 boroughs. 

In this episode...Feds Taking a Harder Stance on Chip Shortage, May Suspect Hoarding; GM reminds workers to report vaccination status or risk bonus money; Ford says U.S. salaried employees required to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status; Tesla wants an exemption from COVID-19 rules so it can host a 9,000-person county fair at its Berlin Gigafactory; May Mobility Launches Semi-Autonomous Shuttle Service; Plus...How to the clutter from your space affects you, and how automobiles are becoming order-based on-demand purchases with How to Sell More Cars Author Terry Lancaster.

In this episode...Secret FBI Watchlist Leaks Online; T-Mobile confirms data breach of more than 40 million customers; Facebook Debuts Ray-Ban Story Sunglasses; Yelp adding COVID-19 Proof of vaccination requirements and guidelines; Drunk-Driver Detectors for Cars Part of Infrastructure Bill; Ford Recruits Robot Test Drivers; Toyota to spend $13.5B on electric vehicle battery tech; Apple rumoured to have purchased Chrysler's old test track; SpaceX's first all-civilian mission to launch in September; Plus.. Pandemic politics is killing people, but who is responsible? The unvaccinated? It's not about freedom or personal choice anymore. It's about the “safety” of all Americans.     

In this episode...Sweden must repay $1.6M in bitcoin to convicted drug dealer; China Passes Sweeping Data Control Law Amid Escalating Tech Crackdown; Connected Driving: General Motors, AT&T to Equip Future Vehicles With 5G; Baidu unveils Level 5 self-driving vehicle; Plus...an Auto Shopper walks into a dealership to buy a unicorn Honda Pilot and makes a donation to a new charity. It's a feel good story you won't want to miss.    

In this episode...COVID-19 vaccine mandates are coming; US Senate passes $1.5 Trillion dollar Infrastructure BIl; Mars-bound Starship Nears First Ever Orbital; Ford's Detroit Smart Parking Lab will open next month; Tesla will pay $1.5 million to settle Model S battery throttling complaints; And...Interview with FinTech startup Chief Growth Officer Brandi Kolosky; Plus...8 cities around the world are putting their focus on biking and walking — not cars.   

In this episode...Hyundai to invest $100 million in battery startup SolidEnergy; EU fines BMW and VW $1 billion for limiting emissions reduction tech; Audi expands traffic light connectivity; Billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have now both gone to space; US Government Can Use High-Altitude Balloons to Provide Internet to Cubans; Disney, Facebook, Google, and Walmart issue COVD-19 vaccine mandates for workers; Plus...Interview with VOOM Co-Founder and CTO Ori Blumenthal on how usage-based insurance (UBI) is keeping pace with new mobility.     

In this episode...Toyota scraps Tokyo Olympics ads in Japan, despite being banner sponsor; Trump lawsuits against Twitter, Facebook, Google over alleged big tech censorship; Argo,  Ford to launch self-driving vehicles on Lyft ride-hailing app; Elon Musk says Tesla will open its Superchargers to other EVs this year; Plus...Interview with Mood Media Vice President of Global Brands Jonathan Wharrad about the combining the physical and digital worlds of auto shopping.    

In this episode...SpaceX to send dogecoin-funded satellite to the moon; Ford begins MACH-E Deliveries in Norway and the all-electric F-150 Lightning; GM partners with 7 charging network sahead of EV push; Plus...what's up with high used car prices and everybody wanting to buy you car? See more on our blog, End of the Combustion Engine, High Car Prices, and Why Everybody Wants to Buy Your Car.     

In this episode we learn about Counterparty, a Bitcoin protocol that opens up new possibilities on the blockchain for things like trading cards, but can it be used for things like vehicle ownership and warranties? Also, an update on EV developments with Tesla, Toyota, GM, Ford, and Hyundai, plus a preview to why used car prices are soaring.   

In this episode we feature our show from the Wednesday after Super Bowl LV where special guests Joe Webb and Robin Chandley provide their analysis and commentary on the automotive ads and some of the fringe mobility tech and connectivity ads such as Uber Eats and Amazon Alexa. See complete details on our blog including the original live stream recording.

In this episode we feature our conversation with Benjamin Dykstra from DealershipLife.org which provides training resources for car dealerships. Benjamin is on a mission to change the  tune that consumers often hear about dealerships in advertising. We also talk with a Ford dealer about their deliveries of the all-new Bronco, and we meet with the purveyor of the new auto shopper resource AskOtto and get first-look at the company’s new car matching quiz. Go to www.autoconverse.com/askotto to learn more.

In this episode we feature Host Ryan Gerardi’s conversation with CarGurus Consumer Insights Analyst Ali Chapman to discuss the company’s third edition of the COVID-19 Sentiment Study: How the Pandemic Impacted the Automotive Industry in 2020. Leading up to the conversation is a sneak preview to our discussion panel from the MTC Show that day talking about the audio drop-in app Clubhouse with a group of Automotive Marketing Pros. 

The AutoConverse podcast is back with its first new episode in over six months, featuring a one-on-one conversation with Modal SVP Matt Weinberg talking about his company’s new partnership with Honda and how that impacts Honda shoppers. Also in this episode: Ford Mustang Mach-E: Green Car Reports’ Best Car to Buy in 2021 and GM may build more Hummer EVs due to overwhelming response, plus more mobility tech and connectivity news. 

Another mashup of live stream recording sessions of the Mobility Tech & Connectivity Show. This episode covers three of our four most recent sessions: One from April 22 that included Bill Sattree, Jay Wertzberger, and Mike Phillips where we talked about states reopening and effects on auto retail; One on April 29 that features highlights from Host Ryan’s live debate with friend Tiffany Simonsen and Jay about wearing face masks; and one from May 13 that  features our first ‘2-Minute Drill Down’ which includes Stephanie Robbins and Joe Webb, Jay and Ryan talking about police drones and  insurrection in the United States.

This episode features highlights from three separate interviews in January on the Mobility Tech & Connectivity Show before any of us knew that a New World Order was developing. First up is Bestmile Founder & CEO Raphael Gindratt on Optimizing Mobility Services With Fleet Orchestration. The second is 321 Ignition Founder and CEO Lyamen Savy on the importance of Mobile-First websites for auto retailers. The final is with Matthew Fanelli from MNI Targeted Media on reimagining business with AI marketing. 

This episode is a mashup of conversations about fixed operations from January through March that reveals how undetected COVID-19 was and how quickly it became the unassuming disruptor that it was. In it we review the online auto parts business of 2019, hear how dealers recruit and develop service technicians, and we see first-hand how dealers are adopting COVID-19 protocols and safety measures.

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has given everyone reason to worry. And dealing with a challenging time like this is a lot harder when you focus solely on the negative. Conversely, looking for that silver lining isn’t about ignoring the problem either. And while this episode is meant to identify some slivers of hope, it's also a call to take a stand for Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

In this episode we highlight pre COVID-19 rhetoric about the importance of auto retailers adapting not only to certain technologies but also fundamental principles and practices, and how now with stay in shelter ordinances auto retailers are being forced to embrace many of these ideas in order to stay in business.

In this episode we highlight segments of conversations from two different Auto Retail Marketing webcasts leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, quarantine, and shutdown of the auto industry. The first conversation occurred in early February, just prior to the 2020 NADA Show. The second conversation took place a month later, one day prior to the NBA calling off the Jazz-Thunder game just prior to tip-off which sparked a global shutdown of all major group activities and events. Nobody on either panel had any idea of what was about to ensure. 

In this episode we bring 4 fixed operations specialists to the table – Jarrod Kilway from Germain Automotive Partnerships, Owen Moon from FIXED OPS DIGITAL, Ed Roberts from Bozard Ford Lincoln, and Greg Noonan – Fixed Operations Consultant to talk about the importance of taking control of your recall business. View the original live stream and complete conversation on our blog.

In this episode we talk about autonomous passenger and fleet mobility with Beep, Inc. CEO Joe Moye. Leading up to the conversation, Orange County Florida had just been awarded a $20 Million Federal BUILD Grant to “reimagine mobility in the region,” and Beep, Inc. was part of the reason this grant allocation had come together. And in the news...Caterpillar’s autonomous vehicles may be used by NASA to mine the moon and build a lunar base; Singapore expands test site for autonomous vehicles. See original show on our blog.

In this episode we feature excerpts from 3 separate panel sessions about the used car business. From late-2019 market and auction trends to comprehensive data analyses and today's technology trends that are making it possible for dealers to make smart decisions and gain increased marketshare like never before.

In this episode we feature the key highlights from a live panel discussion held on one of our Auto Retail Marketing Webcasts. Google My Business became a major part of the discussion, and the increasingly more significant role it is playing for auto retailers. The panel includes two auto retail marketers on the retail side, and two on the vendor side. View the original live stream on our blog.