The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

Episode #1401: The UAW's federal monitor may be sticking around longer, Amazon's Zoox recalls every robotaxi after one drove into a smoke-filled fire scene, and author Dave Eggers makes the case for protecting your authentic voice in the age of AI. Sho...

Episode 1400: Chris Reeves joins Kyle to break down NADA's $3M donation to the American Cancer Society, why it matters, and how the auto industry continues to make an impact beyond the showroom. NADA is putting the industry's commitment to community ( ...

Episode #1399: During their time at the ATAE Summer Conference, Paul and Kyle sit down with Zach Doran, President of the Ohio Auto Dealers Association to talk about how dealers need to amplify the impact they're making in the community. Show Notes with...

Episode #1398: Today we're talking about TikTok's evolution into a serious dealership marketing and recruiting tool, Hyundai doubling down on humanoid robots with Boston Dynamics, and why America's malls are quietly making a comeback as shoppers look f...

Episode #1397: Ford leans on Toyota's Gemba management philosophy to improve quality, China's EVs are being upgraded like smartphones, and Apple's smartest Siri yet hints at a future where AI—not apps—becomes the new user interface. Show Notes with lin...

Episode #1396: California revives EV rebates after the federal tax credit disappears, Toyota leads an effort to standardize parts across Japan's auto industry, and Missouri dealer Eric Gentry returns to where his career began as he launches his own dea...

Episode #1395: Today we're looking at why dealership websites are outperforming phone calls in service scheduling, celebrating CarMax's recognition for community impact, and heading across the Atlantic, where regulators may soon let satellites and soft...

Episode 1394: Chris Reeves joins for a conversation about pronunciation and days of the week, plus a look at a unique bracket challenge.Ancira Auto Group turned March Madness into a win for the community with its “Bracket for a Cause” Charity Challenge...

Episode #1393: AI call recording lands in court, Brian Benstock questions whether 84-month loans are costing dealers lifelong customers, and World Cup visitors discover America's unexpected attractions—from Walmart and Buc-ee's to Waffle House and ranc...

Episode #1392: At the halfway point of 2026, Brian Benstock joins us to unpack the biggest challenges—and biggest opportunities—in retail automotive. From navigating uncertainty and scaling dealership operations to building a culture of trust, it's a c...

Episode #1391: China is becoming the global R&D hub for legacy automakers, Ken Garff shows how a 70-store dealer group is laying the data foundation for AI, and a new workforce report reveals why predictable schedules, strong culture, and generational ...

Episode #1390: Today we're looking at dealer sentiment as operators brace for tighter profits but keep buying ambitions alive. We also unpack the rise of 84-month loans and negative equity concerns, before checking in on Slate's ultra-cheap EV truck th...

Episode #1389: Professional athletes are investing in dealerships instead of just endorsing them, Tesla crushed delivery expectations but investors still weren't impressed, and EV batteries are lasting longer than many expected. Show Notes with links: ...

Episode #1388: Happy Fourth of July! Paul, Kyle, and Chris celebrate America's 250th birthday with homemade sound effects and wonder what the founding fathers would think of podcasts, Zoom meetings, and buying a car in 2026. In this episode: The USMNT'...

Episode #1387: Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures joins Paul and Kyle for a midyear check-in on his 2026 predictions and the four big stories shaping the year: affordability, Chinese pressure on legacy automakers, tariffs creeping into MSRPs, and ...

Episode #1386: Today we're talking about Honda's CR-V grabbing the top sales spot while rivals battle supply issues. We also cover Nissan's push to shed its rental-car reputation and rebuild retail momentum, plus Toyota's latest bet on mobility as it t...

Episode #1385: Today we're talking about Hyundai, Kia, and Honda riding a hybrid-fueled June sales surge, Honda moving closer to a critical Nissan partnership, and dealerships turning service bays into transparent, tech-forward customer showpieces. Hyu...

Episode #1384:Today we're talking about rising used-car prices led by hybrids and EVs, EV Auto becoming the first used EV dealer on Amazon Autos, and Bain's forecast that the future auto market may be smaller, older, and a whole lot more competitive.Ac...

Episode #1383: Today we're talking about Wayve's push to become the AI driving partner for legacy automakers, Texas closing in on California as the top new-vehicle retail market, and Prime Day shoppers clicking “buy now” with a little more caution than...

Donate to Enzo's surgery: https://www.gofundme.com/f/enzo-be-whole-5yearold-fighting-for-his-voice-his-life ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/enzo-be-whole-5yearold-fighting-for-his-voice-his-life ) Sometimes the biggest stories have nothing to do with cars...

Episode #1381: The U.S. tightens the screws on Chinese-connected vehicles by shutting Polestar out of the market, CarGurus raises the stakes on transparent pricing for dealers, and Americans are spending more than ever to fire up the grill this Fourth ...

Episode #1380: Today we're talking about Amazon's Zoox gearing up for robotaxi production, an Indiana dealer crowdsourcing wholesale transparency with a new arbitration platform, and why Starbucks is investing in frontline leadership instead of just ad...

Episode #1379: Tesla hangs onto its American-made crown while EVs lose ground to hybrids. Slate Auto doubles down on its affordable truck gamble. And California's new domestic violence protection rules could unexpectedly put the brakes on vehicle sales...

Episode #1378: How the AI boom is creating a memory chip shortage that's driving up costs for automakers, Carvana and Jimmie Johnson investing in future technicians and engineers, and why consumers are using AI search more than ever, even as their trus...

Episode #1377: How much should dealers trust an EV battery score? Why is Kia paying lessees up to $9,900 to keep their EVs? And are AI-generated customer testimonials the next evolution of marketing—or the end of authenticity? Today's show is brought t...

Episode 1376: Today, Chris and Nathan join Paul to talk about the Luther Automotive Group has set up its community involvement page and all the amazing things they're doing.

Episode #1375: Shawn Fain kicks off his reelection campaign as UAW leadership tensions heat up, industry leaders debate who really owns pricing in today's complex retail ecosystem, and startup Valar Atomics reaches a major nuclear milestone.Today's sho...

Episode #1374: The Fed pumps the brakes on rate cuts, but dealers say demand is still rolling. We also look at why affordable used inventory remains the hottest commodity on the lot, and why consumers are trusting Capri-Sun more than AI. Show Notes wit...

Episode #1373: Today we explore Carvana's attempt to make car shopping fun again, dig into a used-car market where affordable inventory remains frustratingly scarce, and follow a World Cup broadcast team that discovered the fastest route to New Jersey ...

Episode #1372: Paul's in DC today for the CBT News Auto Leadership Summit on Fair Pricing and Compliance, and we're talking about how much the industry has (or hasn't) shifted since the FTC put 97 dealers on notice. Plus, when an AI chatbot overquotes ...

Episode #1371: Used RAV4 Hybrids are somehow appreciating instead of depreciating, Lithia & Driveway continues its climb up the Fortune 500 rankings, and Rita Case earns Humanitarian of the Year honors. Today's show is brought to you by our friends at ...

Episode 1370: Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle and gets a rousing introduction, but then talk about a $1M donation from a dealer group. The Gettel Family Foundation is investing $1 million ( https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gettel-family-foundation-commi...

Episode #1369: Toyota continues to dominate shopper demand while affordable inventory gets harder to find, EV insurance costs are finally moving closer to gas-powered vehicles, and Jeep launches a delightfully absurd promotion that could put 100 George...

Episode #1368: Inventory remains tight as hybrids continue to outpace every other powertrain. GM doubles down on energy storage and vehicle-to-grid technology as electricity demand surges. Plus, the largest World Cup ever kicks off across North America...

Episode #1367: Chinese automakers maintain a stealth presence in America while expanding globally, PepsiCo puts fully driverless delivery trucks to work on public roads, and Anthropic releases its most powerful AI yet—with enough safeguards to keep it ...

Episode #1366: Texas is rapidly overtaking California as the center of automotive influence, Rivian is betting drivers will talk to their vehicles instead of pushing buttons, and Apple is taking another swing at making Siri the AI assistant it always p...

Episode #1365: Trump weighs in on right-to-repair after meeting with auto industry leaders, Ford invests heavily in solving its technician shortage, and how back to school shopping is already happening. Show Notes with links: A surprising right-to-repa...

Today, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about donating blood plasma in college, but then how 30 dealerships in Michigan, led by Midland Ford, have come together to help address the critical blood shortage.

Episode #1363: A fresh look at thousands of FTC dealership complaints reveals where consumers are still finding friction. Tesla expands its Austin robotaxi footprint as autonomous ride-hailing scales up. And Buc-ee's reminds us that in Texas, even the ...

Episode #1362: Today we look at what customer reviews can reveal before regulators come knocking, why hybrids are suddenly the hottest vehicles on the lot, and how Ram's AI-generated merch accidentally turned a Toyota Tacoma into a Ram truck—while misc...

Episode #1361: The FTC names 97 dealers in a warning over advertising practices, new data shows EV truck owners are surprisingly disloyal to legacy brands, and Anthropic files for an IPO after rocketing past OpenAI in valuation. Show Notes with links: ...

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1360: Today we're throwing it back to ASOTU CON and revisiting a few of the quotes that had the biggest impact on the room. Plus, we break down Anthropic's confidential IPO filing and its meteoric rise past OpenAI in valuationWe might be biased, but we think ASOTU CON featured some of the best keynotes in the industry, and today we figured we'd throw it back to just a couple of weeks ago.Brian Benstock: “What you're looking for is right here in the mirror.”Patrick Abad: “Accountability without development is just disappointment with a deadline.”David Spisak: “How did your life differ from that of a rock?”Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Episode #1360: Today we're throwing it back to ASOTU CON and revisiting a few of the quotes that had the biggest impact on the room. Show Notes with links: We might be biased, but we think ASOTU CON featured some of the best keynotes in the industry, a...

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1359: Mitsubishi is jumping back into the pickup market with help from Nissan, a supplier strike threatens GM's truck production at a critical moment, and the internet-famous F-250 robins have finally left the nest, clearing the way for one very patient delivery.Show Notes with links:Mitsubishi is heading back into the U.S. pickup truck market for the first time in nearly two decades, teaming up with Nissan on a midsize truck while also reviving the iconic Pajero/Montero SUV.Mitsubishi will launch a U.S.-built midsize pickup sourced from Nissan, likely tied to the next-generation Frontier platform expected later this decade.The truck marks Mitsubishi's return to the segment after discontinuing the Raider pickup following the 2010 model year.The strategy is part of a three-step U.S. revival plan: expand off-road offerings, enter new segments through Nissan partnerships, and grow the dealer network with urban satellite stores.Mitsubishi is also reviving the Pajero (Montero) SUV this fall, building it on the Triton pickup platform and creating an entire family of Pajero-branded vehicles.“We will prioritize restoring profitability and work to turn the business around through brand strengthening and product strategies.” — Mitsubishi President Keisuke SugiuraA labor dispute at American Axle is putting pressure on one of GM's most important profit centers. Nearly 1,000 UAW workers have walked off the job, threatening the supply of axles used in Silverado, Sierra, Colorado, and Canyon pickups just as GM ramps up truck production.UAW members at American Axle's Three Rivers, Michigan plant began striking after contract talks broke down over wages and mandatory overtime.Workers say they are still living with wage cuts accepted during the 2008 financial crisis, with many production employees topping out around $22 per hour despite years of strong supplier profits.The plant produces critical axles for GM's full-size and midsize pickups, giving the strike potential to impact some of the automaker's most profitable vehicles.Timing is especially challenging for GM as it looks to capitalize on Ford's pickup production constraints and growing competition from Ram, whose truck sales are up 23% this year.“For 18 years, these members have built you an empire of profit, while getting treated like dirt.” — UAW President Shawn Fain.Remember the F-250 that became a federally protected bird sanctuary? The robins have officially left the nest, the truck can finally head to its new owner, and the dealership's unexpected wildlife story turned into an international feel-good headline.Lugnut, Axle, Diesel and Turbo officially flew away last week, ending a month-long delivery delay for the customer's F-250.What started as a quirky dealership story ended up earning coverage from The New York Times, People, The Guardian, Automotive News and even Ford's corporate media channels.Olathe Ford-Lincoln leaned into the moment, giving the birds names, posting updates, and turning a routine vehicle delivery into a viral community story.The customer, a construction company, never pressured the dealership and agreed to let nature take its course before taking delivery.“The new owners said they were in no hurry to get the truck and the robins could finish raising their family.” — Diane Johnson, Executive Director, Operation WildLife.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Episode #1359: Mitsubishi is jumping back into the pickup market with help from Nissan, a supplier strike threatens GM's truck production at a critical moment, and the internet-famous F-250 robins have finally left the nest, clearing the way for one ve...

On this last Saturday of the month, Chris joins Kyle and producer Nathan to talk about how Ken Garff Automotive Group is filling truck beds ( https://www.wyomingnewsnow.tv/news/ken-garff-automotives-kicks-off-drive-out-hunger-campaign-aimed-at-local-st...

Shoot us a Text.On this last Saturday of the month, Chris joins Kyle and producer Nathan to talk about how Ken Garff Automotive Group is filling truck beds in all of their stores as a part of their "Drive Out Hunger" campaign.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Episode #1357: Honda rides hybrid momentum toward bigger market share, Ford gets an AI-fueled stock boost from repurposed EV batteries, and Target bets family-friendly upgrades will drive customer loyalty. Show Notes with links: Honda says it's aiming ...

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1357: Honda rides hybrid momentum toward bigger market share, Ford gets an AI-fueled stock boost from repurposed EV batteries, and Target bets family-friendly upgrades will drive customer loyalty.Show Notes with links:Honda says it's aiming for more than 9% U.S. market share in 2026 and thinks 10% is within reach as hybrids continue to surge. With gas prices climbing and EV demand cooling, the company says its flexible production strategy is helping it stay ahead.Honda finished last year with 8.7% U.S. market share, hit 10% in April of this year and still expects to grow sales 4% this year to around 1.5 million vehicles.Hybrids made up nearly a third of Honda brand sales in Q1, and the company is ramping up production and marketing around Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Prelude hybrids.Despite tariff uncertainty, Honda says its North American manufacturing footprint protects it from major disruption with nearly 99% of vehicles built in-region.Honda says hybrids are now the sweet spot, expecting them to land in the “mid-to-low 30 percent range” of total sales this year as gas prices push more buyers away from pure ICE models.Ford stock is suddenly surging, not because of trucks, but because Wall Street is betting on Ford becoming an AI-era energy player. The company's new Ford Energy division plans to repurpose EV batteries into massive storage systems for data centers and utilities.Ford stock jumped 28% in two weeks after launching Ford Energy with a $2 billion investment aimed at powering AI data centers and utilities.The business will repurpose excess EV battery capacity into stationary storage systems, putting Ford into competition with Tesla and LG Energy Solutions.Investors are especially bullish on Ford's partnership with Chinese battery giant CATL, with one analyst valuing the new energy arm at up to $10 billion.Ford says it plans to deploy at least 20 gigawatt hours of battery storage annually, including a major supply agreement with energy company EDF starting in 2028.BNP Paribas analyst James Picariello summed up the shift saying: “It's hard to find another comparison on the OEM side of things with the exception of Tesla.”Target is betting that winning over busy families doesn't require flashy AI, it just requires cleaner bathrooms, smarter shopping carts, and fewer parenting headaches. The retailer says those small upgrades could create much bigger long-term customer loyalty.Target is investing $1 billion into customer experience upgrades, including 130+ store remodels focused on family-friendly improvements.New shopping carts feature larger cupholders, deeper child seats, and flat storage surfaces designed to make shopping easier for parents.The retailer says modernized bathrooms are a surprisingly important loyalty driver because “busy families” are now Target's core growth audience.Executives admitted Target lost focus in recent years and are now doubling down on creating “the most delightful experience in retail” for younger families.Gartner analyst Halle Stern said the smaller upgrades matter more than flashy tech: “The minor changes are making this huge difference.”Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Episode #1356: Today we unpack the million buyers who've quietly exited the new-car market, why off-lease inventory is finally rebounding (briefly), and how America's new “premium economy” is changing the way consumers spend, travel and shop. Show Note...

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1356: Today we unpack the million buyers who've quietly exited the new-car market, why off-lease inventory is finally rebounding (briefly), and how America's new “premium economy” is changing the way consumers spend, travel and shop.Show Notes with links:A million Americans have quietly exited the new-car market and the shrinking pool of buyers is raising long-term concerns for dealers and OEMs alike.Analysts say roughly one million prospective buyers have defected from the new-car market since 2020 as average transaction prices hover near $50,000 and financing costs remain stubbornly high.Pre-pandemic U.S. sales regularly topped 17 million vehicles annually. Now the industry is bracing for about 16 million sales this year with little confidence the old highs will return anytime soon.Instead of chasing volume with discounts, automakers are leaning into profitable trucks and SUVs. Selling fewer vehicles at higher margins has become an unexpectedly comfortable business model for Detroit.“I don't want to say automakers are OK with this level of sales, but they kind of are.” — Ivan Drury, Edmunds analystVolvo commercial chief Erik Severinson didn't mince words: “This is a real threat to the whole industry… people are not able to buy new cars.”The off-lease floodgates are finally reopening… kind of. Nearly 500,000 more lease returns are expected to hit the used-car market this year, but analysts say the glory days of leasing still aren't coming back anytime soon.Edmunds says off-lease volume is expected to jump nearly 26% year-over-year in 2026 with another 400,000 units expected in 2027 as the industry slowly recovers from the leasing collapse of the pandemic years.After 2027, off-lease inventory is expected to level off because leasing volumes never fully recovered after COVID-era shortages and rising prices.Leasing penetration peaked around 29% before COVID but cratered to just 18% in 2022 as inventory shortages and high prices crushed affordability. Even now, lease activity remains well below historic norms.Edmunds says the leasing slowdown is reshaping the used-car business because many mainstream vehicles no longer produce the steady stream of predictable off-lease inventory dealers once relied on.Ivan Drury: “Without a major shift in incentives toward leasing, we are likely to be stuck in this stifled state of leasing for the foreseeable future.”Forget the “K-shaped economy.” Some economists say America is now a “premium economy” where consumers can't afford houses or retirement, but they can afford upgraded flights, better groceries and premium experiences.More Americans are entering the upper-middle class, but home ownership and retirement still feel out of reach for many younger consumers.The upper-middle class has grown from 10% of families in 1979 to 31% in 2024, according to research from the American Enterprise Institute.Instead of buying homes, consumers are spending on smaller “premium” upgrades like travel, concerts and nicer retail experiences. Delta and United captured more than 90% of airline profits last year while Spirit struggled.Walmart has become a major winner by improving stores, delivery and curbside pickup, pulling shoppers away from lower-cost competitors like Dollar General.Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta predicts the economy could eventually shift from “K-shaped” to “C-shaped” as lower inflation and AI-driven productivity help consumer spending “converge” and be more balanced across income levels.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/