The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1189: Ford unveils its hospitality-first Signature 2.0 dealership design, Holman jumps into the robotics game, and Walmart goes full throttle with back-to-back Black Friday deals.Ford is rolling out its first dealership image program in over two decades—and it's less showroom, more hotel lobby. The new "Signature 2.0" design rethinks the car-buying experience with a focus on comfort, visibility, and choice.The first build, a $12.5M Boulevard Ford in Delaware, centers around a glass-paneled, open-concept showroom with lounge seating, café-style tables, and a central Ford-branded hospitality hub serving snacks and drinks.Dealers can choose from a range of customizable elements—snack options, artwork, furniture layouts—allowing flexibility while maintaining brand consistencyThe design also eliminates the separate service entrance, integrating service customers into the main experience. “The building is as simple as it can possibly be, because the focus is on things like truth and transparency,” said Jennifer Kolstad, Ford's global design and brand director.“It's really about feeling like you actually want to be in the dealership,” said Elena Ford, Chief Dealer Engagement Officer.We had Boulevard Ford GM JB Burnett on Auto Collabs just a couple of weeks ago and he spoke about where the project got started and the support Ford gave him.Holman, long known for fleet management and automotive services, is stepping into industrial automation with the launch of Holman Robotics—designed to simplify how businesses adopt and manage robotics at scale.The new division bundles hardware, software, support, and integration into one streamlined solution.Holman will offer design guidance, flexible financing, and full asset lifecycle management.“Robotic automation can transform operations, but upfront costs and complexity slow adoption,” said CEO Chris Conroy.A centralized platform enables real-time monitoring and performance optimization across all robotic assets.“We help companies deploy robotics faster, more easily, and with confidence,” said VP Joe Foster.Why have one Black Friday when you can have three? That's what WalMart thinks as it is rolling out two Black Friday Deal events this year for the first time. Along with its usual Cyber Monday lineup, this aggressive move is aimed at stretching holiday spending amid tightening consumer wallets.Black Friday Event 1 runs Nov. 14–16; Event 2 spans Nov. 25–30; Cyber Monday hits Dec. 1 (online only).Walmart+ members get early access to deals, with up to 60% off top brands and thousands of items under $20.The move follows trends of earlier and extended holiday promotions, driven by inflation concerns and demand for deeper discouJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1188: Today we're talking Toyota's global muscle amid U.S. tariffs, Waymo's bold autonomous rollout into new cities, and why your store's holiday playlist might be just early enough to keep shoppers smiling.Show Notes with links:Toyota posted a surprising 62% jump in second-quarter profit and raised its annual outlook, even as U.S. tariffs continue to take a multi-billion-dollar toll. The automaker's resilience stems from its increasingly global revenue base and a strong performance outside North America.Despite nearly $3B in quarterly tariff costs, Toyota's bottom line rose thanks to gains in Europe, Africa, and currency advantages.Q2 net profit hit ¥932B (~$6.2B), easily beating analyst estimates of ¥801B (~$5.3B), and revenue rose 8.2% year-over-year to ¥12.4 trillion (~$82.7B).President Trump, speaking to U.S. troops in Japan last week, said Prime Minister Kishida told him Toyota would invest $10B in U.S. manufacturing. “Go out and buy a Toyota,” Trump added.Waymo is accelerating its position as the autonomous driving front-runner, announcing a major expansion into San Diego, Detroit, and Las Vegas. The move adds to an already impressive footprint that includes full-service robotaxi operations in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the Bay Area.Waymo will begin service in San Diego in 2026, with Detroit and Las Vegas to follow shortly after.The company is emphasizing snow-readiness in Detroit, citing ongoing cold-weather testing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.Waymo's return to Las Vegas is symbolic—it passed the first-ever state self-driving test in Nevada back in 2012.Waymo continues logging 2 million autonomous miles per week and plans to launch in Miami, Dallas, Washington, and even London by 2026.Retailers are decking the halls earlier than ever, and despite the usual grumbling about “Christmas creep,” most shoppers seem totally fine with it. A new survey reveals that the majority of U.S. consumers don't mind holiday music and décor showing up well before Thanksgiving.Only 20% of consumers think retailers should wait until after Thanksgiving to start the holiday ambiance.A combined 55% are cool with it starting in early to mid-November, while 22% are fine with it as early as October.Mood Media, a company specializing in in-store atmosphere, says holiday scents and music can actually increase shopper “dwell time.”41% of consumers said holiday vibes make them stay longer; only 6% said it makes them leave sooner.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:30 ASOTU Edge Webinar on AI and Data Today!1:28 Toyota Raises Guidance Amid Tariff Hits3:44 Waymo To Add San Diego, Detroit and Las Vegas6:51 Shoppers Seem TJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1187: GM trims its workforce and tech leadership as it reassesses priorities. Kia hits pause on its next U.S. EV launch amid regulatory roadblocks. And Walmart leans into nostalgia with a print catalog push designed to elevate its home game.Show Notes with links:General Motors made sweeping changes last week, laying off workers and restructuring leadership as it adjusted to shifting market signals. What began as a response to softening EV demand quickly expanded into a broader corporate shakeup.GM eliminated 1,750 jobs, including 1,200 from Factory Zero in Detroit and hundreds more at paused battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee.The company cited weaker EV sales and regulatory uncertainty as reasons for scaling back production.Senior VP of Software David Richardson abruptly exited following an internal reorg just days after presenting at GM's tech event.His responsibilities were shifted under product leadership led by Tesla/Aurora alum Sterling Anderson.CEO Mary Barra assumed oversight of cybersecurity and IT, signaling a more hands-on approach to GM's tech transformation.Kia has officially delayed the U.S. release of its compact EV4 sedan, which was initially slated to arrive in early 2026.The EV4, revealed at the New York Auto Show, was expected to start under $40K with up to 330 miles of range.Kia confirmed the delay, citing “changing market conditions for EVs” as primary cause.The expiration of the $7,500 EV tax credit and new import tariffs have reshaped the economics of launching foreign-built EVs in the U.S.The EV4 was to be manufactured in South Korea and imported to the U.S.; that plan is now on hold indefinitely.Kia's EV lineup already includes the EV6, EV9, and Niro EVIn an unexpected move, Walmart has revived the old-school print catalog to boost its home goods visibility. The retailer's latest campaign mixes nostalgia with strategy, aiming to reintroduce shoppers to a broader, more style-forward product lineup.Walmart released a full-scale home catalog in August, targeting new, existing, and lapsed customers ahead of the holidays.The catalog showcases furniture, decor, and appliances with QR codes linking to Walmart's online store.SVP Creighton Kiper described the catalog as a static creative tool to reposition Walmart as a destination for affordable, high-style home goods.Despite rapid execution, early impressions and engagement exceeded expectations — though no follow-up editions have been confirmed.“Most retailers recognize… you have to have a marketing mix across online and offline channels to really reach the consumer,” said Polly Wong, President of Belardi Wong.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:03 Upcoming Edge Webinar Tomorrow!1:39 GM Shakes Up ExeJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1186: Dealerships are investing big in mobile service as customer demand and capacity challenges make on-the-go repairs a serious growth opportunity. France launches the world's first live EV-charging highway, while new data shows holiday shoppers are blending online convenience with a strong return to in-store experiences.Show Notes with links:As consumers crave convenience and service bays become scarce, dealerships are rethinking what “fixed ops” means. Bozard Ford-Lincoln's Ed Roberts has shown what success looks like: 46 mobile units, 43 techs, and $10 million in annual revenue. “Everything you can do in a shop without a lift can be done in the field,” Roberts said.The mobile repair segment grew 15% in 2024—nearly twice the growth of the overall “do-it-for-me” market—according to the Lang Aftermarket Report.Industry analysts predict mobile service will soon be an OEM standard, driven by capacity shortages, customer demand, and the undeniable appeal of “winning driveways.”Apple Tree Honda and Acura in North Carolina now run three Ford Transit vans daily, tackling maintenance and light repairs for customers who'd rather not come in.Fixed Ops Director Richard Lupo built the program from the ground up, using Urban Science data to pinpoint customers they weren't reaching—and consultants like Spiffy to scale operations efficiently.In a world first, France has flipped the switch on a stretch of highway that wirelessly charges EVs as they drive. The A10 motorway near Paris now delivers real-time power to vehicles in motion—potentially redefining how we think about range and charging altogether.VINCI Autoroutes and Electreon embedded coils beneath 1.5 km of roadway for the “Charge as You Drive” project.The inductive system hits peak power above 300 kW, verified by independent labs.Vehicles including a truck, van, bus, and car are already charging while cruising in live traffic.Even in an age of scrolling and swiping, shoppers still want to see, touch, and feel the holidays. Two new studies—from NIQ and Quad/Harris Poll—show consumers are going omnichannel, but physical retail and print are far from dead.66% of shoppers plan to browse online, but 64% will visit stores—and nearly 3 in 4 say in-store shopping gets them into the holiday spirit.76% of Americans see visiting stores as a holiday ritual, and 66% say their favorite gifts came from unexpected in-store finds.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:52 Edge Webinar this Wednesday1:25 Early Adopters Are Pushing Mobile Service Forward2:43 Richard Lupo of Apple Tree Honda and Acura joins the show9:39 France Launches 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/

Shoot us a Text.After a couple of weeks off due to international travel and a new baby, Chris, Paul and Kyle are back to talk about how car dealerships are caring for their community.Today, they cover how the Rohrman Auto Group donated $77,500 to support multiple organizations across Indiana and Chicagoland dedicated to pediatric cancer research, treatment and support.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1184: Today we cover Toyota's response to potential chip shortages, new research showing improved employee satisfaction at dealerships, and what Gen Z travelers want most from their hotel stays.Show Notes with links:Toyota CEO Koji Sato says the automaker isn't facing an immediate chip shortage despite rising concerns after China blocked exports from Dutch chipmaker Nexperia. The move is part of an escalating global tech standoff involving national security concerns.The Dutch government seized control of Nexperia last month over fears its Chinese parent, Wingtech, could pose a security risk—prompting China to halt exports.These chips aren't high-end processors; they're critical legacy semiconductors used in steering, lighting, and power systems.Toyota says it's stable “for now,” but rivals like Nissan report they only have enough chips to last through early November.The Alliance for Automotive Innovation warns that U.S. vehicle production could be disrupted as soon as next monthCDK's 2025 Dealership Workplace Study shows job satisfaction is rising and fewer employees plan to leave, but challenges around stress and long-term retention persist.Satisfaction jumped to 82%, up from 74% last year, while only 22% plan to leave in the next six months—down from 31%.Just 49% expect to stay at their dealership over the next 5-10 years, and only 26% would recommend auto retail as a career.“Dealerships that thrive will be the ones that listen, adapt and lead with empathy,” said CDK VP Bruce Johnson.A new study by researchers Huggland and Okumus reveals how Gen Z's travel habits and expectations are reshaping the guest experience. Their feedback from a 3-year mystery shopping study shows where hotels need to step up—and fast.Gen Z travelers prioritize convenience, safety, and intuitive tech over traditional brand loyalty.Digital check-ins, intuitive room controls, and reliable Wi-Fi aren't perks—they're baseline expectations.“Sometimes the little things can mean a lot,” said one Gen Z traveler. “We want crystal clear instructions and not have to ask for help.”0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:45 The halloween costumes around the office today2:53 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with Foureyes3:20 The Nexperia Chip Crisis5:44 CDK's Dealership Employee Satisfaction Rises to 84%9:20 What Gen Z Is Saying About HospitalityJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1183: Today we're talking about the billion-dollar blaze disrupting Ford's aluminum supply chain, Tekion's confident response to new DMS rival Pinewood.AI, and why the retail world's record CEO shuffle says more about skill sets than burnout. A mid-September fire at Novelis's massive Oswego, N.Y. aluminum plant has shaken the auto supply chain, putting Ford and other OEMs in damage-control mode as crews work nonstop to rebuild the damaged facility.A Sept. 16 fire destroyed 40,000 sq. ft. of the hot mill roof, halting aluminum heating and rolling operations essential to producing body panels for trucks and SUVs.Repairs are underway 24/7, with 1,900 of 2,455 replacement parts already on site.“Teams are working with extreme urgency,” said Novelis spokesperson Lauren Thompson. “Every hour counts in getting back online.”As Pinewood.AI eyes an ambitious U.S. rollout backed by Lithia Motors, Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan says “bring it on,” dismissing the U.K.-based DMS company as no major threat in America's complex dealership software market.Pinewood spun out of Lithia-owned Pendragon and plans a full-scale U.S. push after Lithia transitions to its platform by 2028.The U.S. DMS market is dominated by CDK Global, Reynolds and Reynolds, and Dealertrack, with Tekion gaining momentum.Vijayan said the U.S. market's size and regulatory complexity give Tekion an edge: “I don't have even the slightest concern.”With 1,500 full DMS clients and 4,000 using Tekion software, Vijayan said profitability is expected by 2026, emphasizing “strong financial economics and long-term growth.”A record wave of CEO exits is reshaping what success looks like at the top of retail. As technology, AI, and shifting consumer behavior redefine the landscape, companies are looking for leaders who can adapt fast and think across multiple disciplines.Retail CEO departures are up 116% year-over-year, with 64% unplanned, according to Russell Reynolds Associates.Leadership experts say modern executives must blend tech fluency, marketing insight, and operational skill to stay competitive.Craig Rowley, senior client partner at Korn Ferry, noted that while skills like sourcing and merchandising “don't necessarily go away,” they're no longer the foundation of what retailers seek in a CEO.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1182: Today we're talking about Slate Auto's bold move to use independent repair shops instead of dealers, China pulling back EV subsidies to let the market decide, and PayPal teaming up with OpenAI to turn ChatGPT into a next-gen shopping hub.Show Notes with links:Electric startup Slate Auto is flipping the traditional service model by partnering with independent repair shops instead of building dealerships or factory-run service centers. The company aims to launch its first vehicles with a fully certified third-party network next year.Slate will use RepairPal's 4,000-shop network, owned by Yelp, to handle warranty work, maintenance, and accessory installs.Shops certified through RepairPal will receive training for Slate-specific EV systems, including high-voltage repairs.“Being able to give that opportunity to the majority of our customers to service vehicles close to where they live is very important to us,” said Jeremy Snyder, Slate's chief commercial officer.After more than a decade of heavy government support, China is officially stepping back from its electric vehicle subsidies, signaling that the industry is now strong enough to compete without government help.EVs were excluded from China's 2026–2030 five-year strategic plan for the first time in over a decade.China ended its national EV purchase subsidies in late 2022 and plans to phase out remaining purchase tax rebates by 2027.The decision comes amid massive overcapacity—93 of 169 automakers in China hold less than 0.1% market share.“Electric vehicle subsidies will fade... the market will play a bigger role in deciding who survives,” said Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group.In a major fintech and AI crossover, PayPal has struck a deal with OpenAI to embed its digital wallet directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to shop and pay without ever leaving the platform.Starting next year, PayPal users can “Buy with PayPal” directly in ChatGPT, while merchants can list and sell their products inside the app.The partnership positions PayPal as the payment backbone for AI-driven ‘agentic commerce', following similar ChatGPT integrations with Shopify, Etsy, and Walmart.PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, “It's not just that a transaction can happen. It's a whole new paradigm for shopping… with the largest set of verified consumers in a consumer wallet.”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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1181: Today we're talking about an EV market hitting the brakes post–tax credit, why most electric drivers are just fine charging at home, and Amazon's billion-dollar bet on future jobs—while cutting tens of thousands of its own.Show Notes with links:The EV market is undergoing a “recalibration” following the end of the federal $7,500 tax credit. J.D. Power says October electric vehicle deliveries are expected to drop 43% from last year, taking EV market share from 8.5% down to just 5.2%.The September “last call” for the credit pushed EV share to nearly 13%, creating a hangover in October sales.Gasoline models now account for nearly 80% of retail sales, while hybrids jumped two full points to 14%J.D. Power's Tyson Jominy. “The recent EV market correction underscores a critical lesson: Consumers prefer having access to a range of powertrain options.”Do you imagine EV drivers are circling parking lots hunting for chargers? Think again. About 80% of all EV charging happens right at home — quietly, conveniently, and far cheaper than fueling up at a gas pump.The International Energy Agency reports 83% of EV charging in the U.S. and 80% in Canada happens at home.J.D. Power's EV Experience Study shows drivers rate home charging satisfaction at 85/100 versus just 50/100 for public chargers.“Home charging remains the single biggest advantage of owning an EV,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of EV practice at J.D. Power.Amazon is sending a mixed message to the labor market this week. The tech giant is investing billions to train millions for the “future of work” — while preparing to lay off tens of thousands of its own.The company launched Future Ready 2030, a $2.5 billion initiative aimed at training 50 million employees, students, and job seekers worldwide.At the same time, Amazon is reportedly cutting up to 30,000 corporate jobs, about 10% of its white-collar workforce — its largest round of layoffs since 2022.“Whether someone dreams of working at Amazon, works here now, or has moved on to their next chapter, our goal is the same: helping them have access to the education and training needed to thrive in whatever comes next,” said Beth Galetti, Amazon's SVP of People Experience and Technology.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:15 Paul's hat from Kazakhstan2:05 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with foureyes on Nov. 53:00 EV Market Hits Recalibration in October6:17 83% of American EV Drivers Charge At Home9:42 Amazon Invests $2.5B In Training, Cuts 30K White-Collar JobsJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1180: Fresh off a global adventure, Paul and Kyle return with stories from Kazakhstan, a look at why destination fees are climbing faster than car prices, and how Rivian and GM are tightening up their EV operations as the market cools.Destination fees — the unavoidable “shipping” charges tacked onto every new vehicle — are climbing faster than sticker prices. Once a minor line item, these fees have ballooned across brands, marking the steepest industrywide increase in at least a decade as automakers quietly offset rising costs and tariffs.Average destination fees jumped 8.5% for 2025 models, the biggest one-year spike in 10 years, according to Edmunds.Fees have risen 27% since 2021, now averaging $1,549, up from $1,220 just four years ago.Some models saw even sharper hikes — Porsche up 48%, Ford up 39%, Stellantis up 35%.Analysts point to inflation, heavier vehicles, and new tariffs as key cost drivers.“It's another place where they can increase the price without increasing the price,” said Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions.As the EV market cools and cost pressures rise, both Rivian and GM are trimming teams to stay efficient. Rivian's cutting hundreds after the loss of key EV tax credits, while GM is reducing salaried positions tied to design and development as part of a broader restructuring.Rivian is laying off 4.5% of its workforce — about 600 employees — as it consolidates operations in sales, service, and marketing.CEO RJ Scaringe said the move reflects a “changing operating backdrop” as demand softens following the expiration of the $7,500 EV credit.Rivian will continue investing in its next-gen R2 platform to reach a broader market beyond its luxury R1 lineup.GM confirmed more than 200 white-collar job cuts in Detroit, mostly in its design engineering and CAD teams.The automaker is also managing $1.6 billion in EV-related write-downs and tariff costs as it shifts strategy to protect margins amid a slower adoption curve.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:25 More Than Cars just got back from Kazakhstan7:42 Destination Fees Skyrocket On 2025 Models10:33 Rivian Lays Off 600, GM Cuts 200Join 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1179: We close out Q4 Strategy Week with Ryan Rohrman, CEO of the Rohrman Auto Group. He breaks down how cleaner data, connected systems, and smarter marketing decisions can save you money, sharpen your efficiency, and help you finish the year with momentum.Show Notes:The goal is frictionless customer access — tech that talks and data that actually works.Rohrman Auto Group discovered 40% of their data was “dirty” just six months post-cleanup — now they scrub it monthly.Dirty data = wasted spend. Even a 30% error rate means 30% of your marketing dollars miss the mark.Ryan's team built a single “source of truth” (Snowflake) to unify CDP, DMS, and CRM data.Exploring tech outside automotive has proven faster, cheaper, and more adaptable than legacy systems.“It's not about spending less — it's about spending smarter. Efficiency is king.” — Ryan RohrmanJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1178: We dive into Q4 service strategy with Joe Castelino, VP of Fixed Ops at American Motors Group. From holiday PTO and campus ebb-and-flow to tech-enabled check-ins and bay visibility, Joe shows how disciplined processes and smart tools keep throughput high and customers happy into year-end.Show Notes with links:Plan for dual PTO: your team and your customers. College-town stores see sharp holiday rushes from parents and students—staff and stock accordingly.Stick with what works: sub-hour cycle times, ~30-minute LOFs, and rigorous FRFT targets keep lanes moving when volume spikes.Streamline write-up: mobile/electronic check-in, photos/video, and voice-to-text (or customer noise recordings!) reduce ambiguity and speed technician diagnosis.See the bottlenecks: SkaiVision plate recognition flags unattended vehicles, long waits, and even surface sales opportunities from the lane.“Q4 tends to be a little more strategic—we hunker down and execute what we've practiced all year.” — Joe CastelinoJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1177: Q4 Strategy Week rolls on with EV operator-extraordinaire Andy Guelcher. We dig into life after federal credits, the coming surge of affordable used EVs, New York's eye-popping BrightDrop incentives, and why dealers must become “energy experts” to win the next phase of EV adoption.Show Notes:Post-credit reality check: EVs must stand on their own. Falling MSRPs (hello, $29K Bolt) + better charging infrastructure are easing range anxiety and widening the addressable market.Get ready: a flood of off-lease EVs in 18–24 months could reset used-car affordability and pull younger, tech-open buyers into payments that actually pencil.New profit centers: vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid will let customers power homes and sell back to the utility—turning EVs into assets that can offset car payments.Commercial play: New York's BrightDrop program (big per-vehicle incentives; 3-year EIN, 5-year use/5K mi/yr, 80% in-state) makes fleet vans “nearly free” for qualified businesses—move fast.“We're making our team the energy experts—training with GM Energy—so we can explain the whole ecosystem, not just the car.” — Andy GuelcherJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1176: Day two of Q4 Strategy Week brings social media powerhouse Russell Richardson — aka Russ Flips Whips — to talk about how dealers can turn content into car deals. He shares real-world results, easy-to-start strategies, and why empowering your people might be your best Q4 move yet.Show Notes:Q4 is the best time to make an ask — if you've spent the year giving value through social media, now's when it pays off.One trained team created 4M+ impressions and over 60 car sales with one incentive-based video campaign.Empowering every team member to post multiplies reach faster than paid ads ever could.“Older” sales pros are thriving on TikTok — customers connect with people who look and sound like them.If you're just starting: post one video per workday on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Consistency beats perfection.Even if it doesn't generate leads, it builds communication skills and confidence on the floor.Concerned about brand control? Russ says it best: “Why wouldn't you think of all the things that could go right?”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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1175: It's Q4 Strategy Week on The Automotive State of the Union! Paul and Kyle sit down with Patrick Abad of Beaver Toyota and Mazda to talk about leading your team through the holidays — when emotions run high, sales run hotter, and leadership matters most.Show Notes:The holiday season brings both family time and the busiest sales stretch of the year — and great leaders have to balance both.Involve your people in event planning (like Black Friday or end-of-year sales) so they feel ownership, not obligation.Find the influencers in each department — not necessarily the managers — and include them in decision-making.When you go for a holiday event or promotion, go all-in. Half-efforts kill momentum and trust.Give your team breathing room earlier in the month so they can give their all when it counts.“You can't ask your people to give everything at the end of the year if you haven't given them anything along the way.” — Patrick AbadJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1174: Gov. Newsom vetoes a dealer doc fee hike, Tesla unleashes “Mad Max” mode amid mounting scrutiny, and Home Depot opens free training lanes to fuel America's next generation of skilled pros.Show Notes with links:California dealers were ready for a long-overdue bump to their doc fee cap, but Gov. Gavin Newsom hit the veto button — just a week after tightening dealership disclosure rules with the new CARS Act.The proposed bill would've raised the $85 doc fee cap to 1% of the sale price, up to $260.Newsom said “no,” citing affordability for consumers in an already pricey state.Dealers argue new transparency rules in the CARS Act will increase their workload — not lighten it.The CNCDA's Brian Maas called out the contradiction, saying the new law “imposes substantial advertising and disclosure burdens on dealers.”Newsom fired back that dealers shouldn't charge “hundreds more for only minutes of data entry.”While under multiple investigations for its driver-assist tech, Tesla has decided to lean into chaos — literally — by reintroducing “Mad Max” mode in its latest Full Self-Driving (Supervised) update.The FSD v14.1.2 update lets cars drive faster and change lanes more aggressively than the previous “Hurry” mode.The feature revives Tesla's 2018 “Mad Max” driving style, which Elon Musk once described as ideal for navigating Los Angeles traffic.Early users have already reported cars rolling stop signs and speeding up to 15 mph over posted limits.This comes as NHTSA runs four separate probes into Tesla's FSD and the California DMV sues over its name.As the skilled labor gap keeps growing, The Home Depot is rolling up its sleeves with Path to Pro — a nationwide program offering free training and connections to jobs in construction and the trades.PathToPro.com lays out career paths and resources for anyone interested in the skilled trades.The free, on-demand Skills Program offers virtual training in English and Spanish — no cap on enrollment.The Path to Pro Network connects jobseekers with hiring Home Depot Pros, who can post and review candidates for free.It's designed for anyone 18+ who wants to learn, upskill, or transition into construction.“We aim to help build the next generation of trades professionals,” said Jenna Arca, Home Depot's Director of Workforce Development.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1173: Scott Painter steers TrueCar back to private ownership, CarGurus says buyers are going older to stay on budget, and freelancers navigate the double-edged sword of AI—faster work, smaller paychecks, and a whole lot of “good enough.”Show Notes with links:TrueCar's founder and former CEO, Scott Painter, is back. Nearly a decade after his controversial exit, Painter is leading a $227 million investor group to take the publicly traded company private — a bold move aimed at restoring TrueCar's dealer relationships and market relevance.Painter's syndicate, Fair Holdings Inc., includes investors from dealer, data, fintech, and mobility sectors.He'll return as CEO once the all-cash transaction closes in late 2025, pending shareholder and regulatory approval.The deal follows a year-long strategic review by TrueCar's board, seeking a sustainable path forward after layoffs and leadership turnover.TrueCar's stock surged 62% on the announcement, closing at $2.40.Painter emphasized collaboration: “Partnerships and brand alignment are central to creating value for both dealers and customers.”CarGurus' Q3 2025 Quarterly Review shows that when it comes to cars, “old is in.” Despite economic pressure, auto sales are holding steady — but buyers are opting for older, cheaper vehicles to keep monthly payments manageable.Used vehicles under $30K drove 72% of used retail growth over the past year. Nearly half of listings in that range were 7+ years old, averaging $13,600.Director Kevin Roberts says shoppers are split between value-seekers buying older cars and wealthier consumers driving luxury growth.Dealers may need to lean on older inventory and fixed ops to meet demand and keep aging cars running.California, Florida, Texas, and Virginia lead the nation in used cars under $20K, each with 30% or more of listings.“Buyers are increasingly accepting six-figure-mile cars to keep payments within reach,” Roberts noted.AI is reshaping the freelance economy, creating both opportunity and uncertainty for side hustlers. While tools like ChatGPT help freelancers work faster, they're also undercutting pay, originality, and client perception of value.Freelancers say AI boosts efficiency but drives down earnings—writing jobs fell 2%, and income dropped 5% on Upwork after ChatGPT's release.AI lowers the barrier to entry, flooding the market with cheaper “good enough” work that makes it harder for top-tier talent to stand out.Clients increasingly expect AI-level output for less, with some even replacing human contractors with automation tools.“High quality doesn't really protect freelancers,” said Washington University professor Xiang Hui, noting that AI hits experienced workers hardest.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1172: Stellantis bets big on American production with its largest investment ever, NADA makes history with a new vice chair, and three Nissan dealers take the scenic route to prove the CVT isn't the punchline anymore.Show Notes with links:Stellantis just dropped the biggest investment announcement in company history—$13 billion to bring more Jeep, Dodge, and Ram production back home.The plan adds 5,000 U.S. jobs and launches five new vehicles and a new four-cylinder engine by 2030.CEO Antonio Filosa says the goal is simple: grow in the U.S. after Jeep's recent sales slump.$600 million will reopen the Belvidere, Illinois, plant to build the Jeep Cherokee and Compass—moving both out of Mexico.A new range-extended EV and gas model are coming to Metro Detroit, adding another 900 jobs.“Success in America is not just good for Stellantis in the U.S.—it makes us stronger everywhere,” Filosa said.Sandy Fitzgerald Angello of Pohanka Automotive Group has been elected as the NADA vice chair for 2026, only the second woman ever to hold the role. She's expected to take the top spot in 2027.Angello brings 40+ years of experience and currently represents Maryland dealers on the NADA Board.She follows in the trailblazing footsteps of Annette Sykora, who broke the barrier back in 2007.“This position allows me to amplify the voice of dealers,” said Angello. “I look forward to supporting franchised dealers and the customers we serve.”Rob Cochran of #1 Cochran moves up to chair in 2026, continuing NADA's long tradition of planned succession.Both Cochran and Angello start their new roles at the 2026 NADA ShowThree Nissan dealers traded their desks for desert dust. The Tour Detour drops today on YouTube and it's equal parts road-trip chaos, friendship test, and CVT redemption story.Tim Pohanka, Chris Lenckosz, and Jason Cole bought three used Nissans for under $10K—each rocking a 100K-plus CVT—and drove 1,500 miles across salt flats, dunes, and mountain passes.The cars have names (because of course they do): The Duke, Luciano, and Emma.The goal? Show that Nissan's CVT can take more punishment than its memes would suggest.Joining us today is Tim Pohanka, VP and Executive Manager of Pohanka Nissan Hyundai0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:35 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with vAuto2:55 Stellantis To Invest $13B In the US and Create 5000 Jobs4:38 Cochran To NADA Chair, Angello to Vice Chair5:44 Tim Pohanka Joins The Show6:05 Tim on Sandy Fitzgerald Angello7:05 The Tour Detour Debuts TodayJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1171: Ford scrambles after a supplier fire halts SUV production, Rivian doubles down on AI instead of Apple CarPlay, and young people rediscover the joy of “hanging up”... literallyFord is pausing production for several key vehicles, including the Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and F-150 Lightning, after a massive fire shut down operations at its main aluminum supplier, Novelis. Novelis' upstate New York facility is responsible for 40% of U.S. aluminum sheet supply, and the fire will keep it offline until early 2026.Ford will halt output at five plants, including the Kentucky Truck Plant, where the Expedition and Navigator are built.Ford pulled forward downtime originally scheduled for late 2025 to manage the shortage.F-150 and Super Duty production continue, but analysts say Ford could lose up to $1 billion in profits if supply tightens.“They're focusing all their energy on making sure all their F-150s get built,” said Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions.Rivian is betting its future on in-car AI, aiming to create a seamless, branded ecosystem that integrates your favorite apps, without handing the keys (or the data) over to Apple.CEO RJ Scaringe says the goal is to “hold the glue” between apps like Spotify, Google Maps, and Apple Music as AI becomes central to the in-car experience.Automakers fear platforms like Apple's CarPlay could harvest vehicle data and weaken brand identity.Rivian's approach mirrors moves by other automakers who want to control software updates and user interfaces directly.“Customers will appreciate a seamless digital experience... not needing to jump between CarPlay and what we create as a Rivian environment,” said Scaringe.Call it the “landline revival.” Gen Z and millennials are rebelling against endless screen time, choosing intentional connection and analog simplicity over constant notifications and algorithm-driven distraction.Over 40% of U.S. adults — and 62% under 30 — say they're on their phones almost constantly, according to Pew Research.Tiffany Ng, a NYC writer, chained her iPhone using a belt for a week, describing it as “reentering real life.”Others, like Catherine Goetze, are modernizing the landline — selling Bluetooth-connected rotary phones under her brand Physical Phones, generating $118K in pre-sales.“It's not realistic to throw your smartphone into a river,” Goetze said. “But you can regain some level of balance and intentionality.”0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:35 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar on How and When To Move Used Vehicles2:30 Q4 Strategy Sessions NEXT WEEK3:54 Ford Pauses Production Due To Aluminum Supplier Fire7:08 Why Rivian Isn't Integrating Apple CarplJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1170: California's new CARS Act sets tough transparency rules for dealers, a new report exposes EV charging's reliability gap, and Elon Musk's xAI looks to raise $20 billion—with Nvidia both selling the chips and buying in.Show Notes with links:Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the California Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Act, a landmark law that establishes new consumer protection standards and stricter sales transparency across the state beginning in 2026.The California CARS Act closely mirrors roughly 70% of the FTC's now-vacated federal CARS Rule and prohibits dealers from misrepresenting key facts about vehicle sales, leases, or financing.The law requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of total vehicle price and the voluntary nature of add-ons.The CARS Act bans “valueless” add-ons, such as unnecessary service contracts or redundant protection products.Buyers of used vehicles under $50,000 now have a three-day right to cancel with mileage and condition limits.A new EV Charging Reliability Report from ChargerHelp! reveals a critical gap between charger availability and usability, showing that nearly one in three charging attempts fails despite reported uptime near 99%.The study analyzed 100,000 sessions across 2,400 chargers, finding only a 71% first-time charge success rate (FTCSR).ChargerHelp! CEO Kameale Terry argues FTCSR is the true measure of reliability—not uptime—because “it captures the real driver experience.”The biggest culprit is software fragmentation, with EVs, chargers, and payment systems often failing to communicate properly.Reliability declines with aging infrastructure, as older stations drop from 85% to 70% success after three years due to outdated protocols.Terry remains hopeful: “It's a solvable problem... even gas cars had their growing pains before becoming mainstream.”Elon Musk's xAI is reportedly seeking a $20 billion fundraising deal that could include Nvidia both as a chip supplier and as a key investor—an arrangement highlighting the increasingly intertwined nature of the AI hardware race.The proposed structure reportedly combines equity and debt within a special-purpose vehicle that would buy Nvidia chips and lease them back to xAI.Nvidia could contribute up to $2 billion in equity while also profiting from the chip sales.Analysts note the “circular” nature of these AI financing deals, where investors also serve as vendors.Nvidia has made similar moves recently, including a $100 billion commitment to OpenAI and a $5 billion stake in Intel.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/

Shoot us a Text.Today, writer Chris Reeves joins Kyle to talk Fresno Acura's annual #PinkAcura campaign is back for its 12th year, turning a bright pink car into a traveling symbol of hope.Each fall, the Pink Acura visits schools, fundraisers, and local events — inviting people to sign the car in honor of loved ones touched by breast cancer.The signatures, memories, and messages become a moving tribute from the Fresno community.When the tour ends, Fresno Acura donates to Community Medical Center's Radin Breast Care Center, funding early detection and treatment technology.The proudly female- and family-owned dealership uses the campaign to raise awareness — and remind everyone to schedule that check-up.“Every mark matters,” the team says — and after 12 years, this dealership's impact proves it.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1168: Today we're covering how top dealerships are building stronger workplace cultures, why subprime auto delinquencies are rising, and how Ferrari's first EV aims to keep its signature sound authentic.The Automotive News 2025 Best Dealerships To Work For study reveals what separates top employers from the rest — and it's more about people than paychecks.Winning dealerships excelled in communication, transparency, and trust — 88% of employees said they're “kept aware of the dealership's financial status” vs. just 65% at nonwinners.They lead with fairness: 92% of employees at top stores felt “paid fairly,” and were satisfied with their benefits, compared to 71% elsewhere.Flexible work options are gaining traction, with 48% of Best Dealerships offering four-day workweeks and 79% offering flexible hours.Health and wellness programs were a hallmark — 70% offered fitness reimbursements, and 75% trained managers to spot stress and burnout.“You build trust through being transparent,” said Tim Bergstrom, CEO of Bergstrom AutomotiveThe top dealership to work for in 2025 is Capitol Nissan Salem of the Capitol Auto Group, but we have some friends on the list including Mohawk Honda, 6 from the Rohrman Auto Group, 2 from the Matthews Auto Group and nearly 40 from Bergstrom AutomotiveThe U.S. auto market is showing signs of financial strain as more buyers fall behind on car payments. Rising prices, higher interest rates, and stagnant wages are hitting lower-income consumers hardest.Nearly 14% of new-car buyers now have credit scores below 650 — the highest share since 2016, according to J.D. Power.More than 6% of subprime auto loans are 60 or more days delinquent, a record high, Fitch Ratings reports.Roughly 1.7 million vehicles were repossessed last year — the most since 2009.Lender Tricolor Holdings filed for bankruptcy, underscoring the strain on borrowers with limited credit access.Ferrari's first EV, the Elettrica, won't fake the sound of a V8 — it's creating a new, authentic electric soundtrack. The brand's engineers designed a system that amplifies real motor vibrations to create a natural, emotionally engaging tone.Ferrari rejected synthetic engine noise and instead amplifies genuine drivetrain frequencies through a sensor on the rear axle.The sound activates only when the driver calls for torque, offering “dialogue between driver and car.”The system, developed in-house, works like an electric guitar — converting real vibrations into an audible, performance-linked tone.Ferrari hasn't yet revealed the sound to the public, though early testers reportedly praised it.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:35 New Auto Collabs Episode with Michael Kraut of ExpJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1167: GM kills its creative EV tax credit plan while Ford plays coy, the Chevy Bolt returns faster and cheaper than ever, and three Nissan dealers take their high-mileage heroes on a 1,500-mile proving ground through the American West.General Motors has scrapped a short-lived plan that would have allowed dealers to keep offering a $7,500 federal EV lease credit after the subsidy expired on September 30. The move follows political pushback and dealer uncertainty around compliance.GM's plan involved having GM Financial buy EVs from dealer inventory, claim the federal credit, and pass the savings into leases through the end of 2024.GM had already begun funding incentives on about 20,000 EVs, with 5% down payments made on those vehicles prior to September 30.The program was meant to help dealers avoid being stuck with higher-priced EVs post-credit, but Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), a former dealer, objected to the move, calling it an overreach beyond the law's expiration. GM ended the plan shortly after.Ford rolled out a similar workaround ahead of the credit's expiration but has declined to confirm whether it plans to continue offering the lease incentives.At a “Bolt Block Party” at Universal Studios Hollywood, GM has officially reintroduced the Chevy Bolt, its beloved affordable EV.The new Bolt gains GM's Ultium 65kWh LFP battery for faster charging, improved range, and bidirectional home power support.Charging now jumps to 150kW (10–80% in 26 minutes) — triple the previous speed — with 255 miles of range and Tesla's NACS port for Supercharger access.The interior gets a bigger screen, refreshed materials and GM's SuperCruise driver assist with lane-changing “route following.”Pricing starts at just under $29K, making it the cheapest announced EV in the U.S., with production starting in early 2026.The only controversy? No more Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — GM is betting on its new in-house infotainment instead.Three Nissan dealers traded in their desks for desert dust, road-tripping 1,500 miles across the American West in three used Nissans — all over 100K miles and under $10K — to prove the brand's reliability and shake up customer perceptions.The “Tour Detour” YouTube series follows the group's off-road trek through salt flats, canyons, dunes, and mountain passes in two Muranos and a Juke.Dealers Tim Pohanka, Chris Lenckosz, and Jason Cole financed and drove the cars themselves, documenting every gritty mile.The goal: to challenge Nissan's reputation around “continuously variable transmissions” durability and show that even high-mileage models can take a beating.“We bought the cars ourselves and pushed them through the toughest roads in the West,” said Pohanka. “We wanted them to earn our trust — and our customeJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1166: Tesla's new “affordable” EVs aren't quite the bargain they seem, Ford's return-to-office mandate sparks employee backlash, and Mattel teams up with OpenAI's Sora 2 to reimagine how toys come to life.Show Notes with links:Tesla's newest “Standard” versions of the Model 3 and Model Y were meant to bring affordability back to the brand — but the math tells another story. Despite cutting prices, the value gap is slim and the features list is slimmer.The Model 3 starts at $36,990 and the Model Y at $39,990, both roughly $5,000 cheaper than premium trims.The missing features? Autosteer, rear seat heating, power mirrors, LED lightbar, and even a proper glass roof — now covered with a liner.Tesla removed $6,000–$8,000 worth of equipment, yet financed rates make monthly payments just $78 less than the higher-trim versions.When the $7,500 U.S. EV tax credit was still active, Tesla's premium trims actually cost less than these new “affordable” models — a Model Y Long Range, for example, effectively came in around $37,500 after incentives, versus $39,990 now with no credit.Analysts warn the cars may cannibalize existing sales without attracting new buyers under $30k.“It's basically a pricing lever, not a product catalyst,” said Shay Boloor of Futurum Equities, calling Tesla's move more smoke than spark.Ford's big push to bring employees back four days a week isn't going smoothly. After new attendance rules took effect in September, some workers say they were threatened with termination—even while following the policy.Ford ordered most white-collar staff to return four days a week starting Sept. 1, citing collaboration and growth goals.Automated emails warned some workers they could be fired for low badge-ins, even those meeting approved hybrid schedules.HR leaders admitted the system “caught up people doing the right things” and said future messaging would be revised.Employees cite burnout, overcrowded offices, and frustration over rigid schedules that make cross-time-zone work harder.Mattel is teaming up with OpenAI to test Sora 2, the latest AI video-generation tool that turns sketches into lifelike product visuals — and could reinvent how toys are designed and pitched.The partnership lets Mattel designers transform early sketches into video concepts in minutes using OpenAI's API.CEO Sam Altman said the goal is to “bring product ideas to life more quickly.”The collaboration marks one of the first real-world tests of Sora 2 since OpenAI's Developer Day showcase.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:03 ASOTU Edge Webinar TODAY2:14 Tesla Debuts "Standard" Model 3 and Model Y7:40 Ford Struggles with Return-To-Office Mandate10:58 MaJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1165: Today we're talking about dealerships hitting the 100-year mark and how they're still family-run, Lincoln Electric's new portable EV charger that brings dead batteries back to life, and ChatGPT's new integrations that let it control apps like Spotify, Zillow, and Canva right inside the chat.Reaching 100 years in business is rare. Reaching it in the dealership world—while staying family-owned—is exceptional. Automotive News featured five centenarian stores that prove that legacy and adaptability can thrive together.Huffines Auto Dealerships (TX) marks 101 years and four generations, founded on “a love of people.”Kings Ford (OH) has been selling Fords since 1915, with the Ring family training staff to “listen before selling.”McClinton Chevrolet (WV) began in 1919; now fourth-gen dealer Ginny Bowden calls it “an honor and a privilege” to continue her family's legacy.Porter Automotive Group (DE) celebrates 100 years of resilience, with five generations carrying the torch into the digital age while staying proudly independent amid consolidation.Theodore Robins Ford (CA), born from a bold move in 1923, still sells Fords “as long as they've been making them.”“If you care about people, put the customers and the employees at the forefront of your mission, it can work out.” — Sam HuffinesAnd even though they weren't featured in this article, we have to shout out the team at Carter Myers Automotive, who started selling cars out of their hardware store in 1902 and helped us coin the phrase, Love People More Than You Love CarsThe folks famous for fusing steel are now saving EVs from roadside shame. Welding company Lincoln Electric's new Velion 50kW DC Fast Charger is a portable “box of salvation” that can jolt a dead EV back to life — no outlet required.The Velion delivers 50kW of DC power directly into the battery, bypassing the inverter for quick, real-world charging.It's built for tow companies, utility fleets, and roadside crews who want to bring charge instead of tow hooks.OpenAI just gave ChatGPT a serious upgrade: it can now control other apps like Spotify, Zillow, and Canva without leaving the chat.The new integrations let users search for homes on Zillow, create marketing designs in Canva, or generate playlists in Spotify, all through simple prompts.Tools like Figma and Coursera can help visualize data or recommend learning content directly within the chat.Travel platforms Expedia and Booking.com can now handle trip planning, complete with live pricing and maps.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:03 Announcements: MoreThanCars.com and ASOTU Edge Webinar tomorrow!2:10 These 6 Dealerships Are Over 100 Year Old5:54 Lincoln Electric Releases Mobile EV Charger8:35 ChatGPT 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1164: Today we're talking America's EV charging boom just as electric sales cool, previewing Tesla's October tease for a cheaper Model Y, and diving headfirst into Sora 2.Show Notes with links:Just as EV sales start to sputter, America's charging network is finally finding its rhythm. After years of false starts and government delays, billions in private investment and public funding have sparked a nationwide buildout—making it easier than ever to find a fast charger, even if fewer drivers need one.EV sales are projected to drop 25% next quarter after the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit.The number of U.S. fast-charging ports has jumped 80% in two years to more than 60,000.Private companies and retailers like Walmart have poured over $9.5 billion into new charging sites since late 2023.“Charging deserts” are slowly disappearing, but reliability issues and software hiccups still frustrate some EV owners.“The charging industry is really maturing at a time when the rest of the EV industry is in this period of uncertainty,” said Nick Nigro, founder of Atlas Public Policy.Tesla is teasing an October 7 reveal, sparking investor excitement about what could be its long-awaited affordable EV. With slowing sales, an aging lineup, and the loss of federal tax credits, the Elon Musk-led automaker is hoping a lower-cost Model Y can recharge its momentum—and Wall Street's faith.Tesla released a nine-second teaser video on X showing illuminated headlights and the date “10/7.”The new vehicle is expected to be a lower-cost Model Y, roughly 20% cheaper to produce than the refreshed version.Tesla plans to scale production to 250,000 units annually in the U.S. by 2026.Analysts project deliveries could hit 1.85 million vehicles next year, with the new model driving growth.“Tesla has to prove it can stay exciting without the tax credit boost—and this new model may be its best shot,” one analyst said.OpenAI's new app Sora 2 has exploded to the top of the App Store, blurring the line between creation and chaos. Part TikTok, part AI video generator, and part deepfake machine, it's turning anyone with a phone into a filmmaker — and sending media pros into existential meltdown.Sora 2 is being called “ChatGPT for creativity,” letting users star in AI-generated short videos.The app quickly hit #1 in the U.S. App Store and follows Meta's competing “Vibes” AI video feed.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:45 Congrats to Nashville SC on winning the US Open Cup1:49 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with Uber for Business3:04 US Fast Charger Number Grows to 60K6:11 Tesla Teases October 7 Reveal9:22 Sora 2 Climbs To #1 On theJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to share how the Jeff Wyler Auto Group gave away a car to a homeless veteran.The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family rolled out the red carpet for 34-year-old veteran Theron Bell, surprising him with a brand-new 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X Edition. Bell, who served in Afghanistan from 2011–2012 and lives with PTSD, had no reliable transportation before Friday.Chosen from five candidates, Bell was stunned: “I feel like I'm in Hollywood. I feel like I'm dreaming. Like it's The Price Is Right.”The Frontier came loaded — lifted wheels, roof racks, even a tent kit — plus three years of paid maintenance, one year of insurance, and a full year of fuel. The gift was co-sponsored by Kentucky Wounded Heroes, continuing a Wyler tradition that began two years ago when another veteran received a Toyota 4Runner.Bell's message back to veterans: “Never give up. If you don't quit, you'll make it.”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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1162: Tesla posts a surprise Q3 sales record, $1,000 car payments are becoming the new normal, Meta plans to use AI chats to make ad targeting more personal than ever.Show Notes with links:Tesla delivered a surprise Q3 record after a rocky first half of the year, beating Wall Street expectations with nearly half a million EVs sold. But with the federal EV tax credit now gone, the question is whether momentum can carry into Q4 and beyond.Tesla delivered 497,099 vehicles, topping estimates of 456,000 and reversing two quarters of declines.Model 3 and Y deliveries rose 9%, while other models dropped 30%.Tesla's energy business hit a record, nearly doubling storage deployments to 12.5 GWh.Rivian also posted a 32% bump, delivering 13,201 EVs in Q3.What used to be unthinkable is now routine: the $1,000-a-month car payment. Nearly one in six new-car buyers are signing up for four-figure notes, a trend driven by rising prices, interest rates, and longer terms — reshaping affordability conversations across the showroom floor.In 2015, only 2.4% of buyers paid $1,000+; that number hit 16.6% in JulySUVs (53%) and pickups (37%) dominate these deals; 5% of all $1,000+ buyers drove off in an F-150.Buyers today face average loans near $42K at 6.8% interest, compared to $28K at 3.9% a decade ago.Longer terms now stretch over 68 months on average, nearly a year longer than 2015.“There are some that are very shocked by the payment,” said Cody Anderson, GSM at Freedom Ford. “Their payment thought process is five years ago compared to now.”Meta is about to supercharge its ad business by tapping into conversations people have with its AI chatbot. Starting December 16, chats with Meta AI will help determine not just what ads users see, but what content fills their feeds across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.Meta AI chats will feed new ad-targeting signals, similar to posts, likes, and connections.Example: Talk about hiking → expect more hiking ads and related content.The company stresses sensitive topics (politics, religion, health, etc.) won't be used for targeting.Meta earned $46.5B in ad revenue last quarter, up 21% YoY.“Interactions with AIs will be another signal we use to improve people's experience,” Meta said.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:35 The huge news out of More Than Cars2:48 Tesla Sets Delivery Record5:35 Nearly 17% of Car Payments are $10008:45 Meta Will Use AI Searches To Target Ads To UsersJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1161: Today we're talking about the end of the EV lease credit frenzy and how dealers and OEMs are adjusting. We'll also hit Hertz's big push into e-commerce with Tom Brady, and OpenAI's bold play to challenge TikTok with AI video.With the $7,500 EV lease credit gone, September's sales rush gave way to a new normal. Dealers say volume could dip at first, but manufacturers are adjusting incentives, production, and lease programs while retailers recalibrate inventory and ordering strategies.Ford CEO Jim Farley said he “wouldn't be surprised” if EV sales fall by half without the federal incentive.Like we covered a couple of days ago, GM and Ford are extending the lease credit through creative captive finance workarounds, while Hyundai is offering a $7,500 cash incentive on the 2025 Ioniq 5 and plans to cut 2026 model prices by up to $9,800.Dealer Andy Guelcher says “It was time for this to go away, and I think that [EVs] can stand on their own,” but he expects some near-term demand bumps.“Nobody wants to be in a position where we're stuck with a lot of inventory that's not moving,” said Dealer Ken Ganley.Hertz is going all-in on digital retail, launching a new e-commerce platform that lets customers browse, finance, and purchase used cars entirely online, positioning retail as its primary sales channel, according to CEO Gil West.The new HertzCarSales.com site has evolved from a catalog into a full-service e-commerce platform.The move builds on Hertz's August partnership with Amazon Autos, now covering all 45 Hertz Car Sales locations.Hertz has also expanded its Rent2Buy program to more than 100 cities, giving shoppers extended test drives before committing.A national campaign with Tom Brady debuts this week, promoting the simplicity of buying a Hertz vehicle.CEO Gil West called it “a major step forward in modernizing how we serve our customers.”OpenAI is betting AI-powered video can win the race for user attention, announcing Sora 2, a new social-media app for its AI video generator. Sora 2 lets users create HD video clips with audio from text prompts and upload themselves into AI-generated worlds.The TikTok competitor will include vertical feeds, algorithm-driven recommendations, and safeguards against endless doomscrolling.0:00 Looking back at the history of More Than Cars2:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier2:30 The Big More Than Cars Launch5:33 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with Uber For Business6:22 How Dealers and OEMs are Responding To The End of the EV Tax Credit10:01 Hertz Goes All In On Digital Car Sales12: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/

Shoot us a Text.Today is a very special day as we are launching master plan phase II for the More Than Cars movement. I hope everyone can join us by going to morethancars.com. If you happen to get there after the launch, you will see what we've been up to and what is coming down the pike.Thank you, as always, for being a part of this community. We'll be back tomorrow with news, commentary, and more enthusiasm than your Golden Retriever. 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1159: Today we dig into how Ford and GM are stretching the $7,500 EV lease credit, why used EVs are suddenly flying off lots, and how ChatGPT just became a digital storefront.With the federal $7,500 EV lease incentive ending today, GM and Ford are using a strategic workaround to extend the benefit for customers—and keep EV momentum alive—into Q4.To skirt the deadline, both automakers' finance arms (GM Financial and Ford Credit) are pre-acquiring qualifying EVs and making down payments to preserve the lease credit.GM dealers must sign up by Sept. 30; Ford required dealer opt-in by Sept. 26.Ford is sweetening the pot with a $1,000 bonus to dealers for every EV leased under the program by year's end.IRS guidance allows the credit to apply if a vehicle is “acquired” via written contract and payment—even if not delivered until later.The workaround applies to Cadillac, Chevy, GMC EVs for GM, and select Ford EVs like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.With new EV incentives vanishing and prices still sky-high, the used electric vehicle market is having a moment. Once thought of as a luxury-only experiment, used EVs are now affordable, available, and—surprisingly—desirable.Sales of used EVs jumped 34% through June and used EV prices have fallen to near parity with gas cars, averaging $34,700 as of August and One buyer snagged a 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT for $33K—a 40% drop from last year's new sticker price.Three-year lease returns from 2022's EV boom are flooding the market with modern, tech-packed vehicles, and used EVs have a 36 day supply, compared to 42 for ICE cars.In some cases, used EVs are cheaper than their gas-powered siblings—like a Toyota bZ4X undercutting a RAV4 by $6,600.OpenAI just upgraded ChatGPT from chatbot to checkout lane. With the launch of Instant Checkout, U.S. users can now buy products directly inside a conversation—starting with Etsy and soon expanding to over a million Shopify merchants.Users ask for recommendations (e.g., “running shoes under $100”), tap “Buy,” confirm details, and check out—all without leaving the chat.The feature is powered by the new Agentic Commerce Protocol, co-developed with Stripe, and built to make AI a native part of the shopping experience.Payments use encrypted “Shared Payment Tokens” via Stripe, keeping buyer credentials safe while allowing instant, single-item purchases. OpenAI earns a small cut from each transaction.Etsy shares jumped 16% and Shopify rose 6% following the launch, signaling big market enthusiasm.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Michael Cirillo0:31 Huge Launch Announcement Tomorrow at morethancars.com3:20 GM, Ford Financial Arms Acquire EVs To Capture Tax Credit6:35 Used EVs Reach Price Parity With Used IJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1158: EV sales spiked before the tax credit expired, but a slowdown looms. J.D. Power names the brands best at keeping loyal customers. And Apple quietly tests a Siri revamp while leaning on Google to stay in the AI race.Show Notes with links:U.S. auto sales stayed stronger than expected this summer, but analysts now warn the industry may face a softer fourth quarter as affordability challenges and waning incentives take hold.September SAAR reached 16.2M, boosted by a surge in EV purchases before the $7,500 credit expired.EVs made up over 12% of September retail sales, with Q3 EV share hitting a record 10%.GM, Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai continue to grow share, while Stellantis is on its ninth straight quarterly decline.Analysts expect full-year sales of 16.1M, slightly above 2024 but below the current pace.“The federal tax credit was a key catalyst for EV adoption, and its expiration marks a pivotal moment,” said Cox's Stephanie Valdez Streaty.Despite tariffs rattling the market, brand loyalty is holding strong for trusted automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Ford. J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study shows loyalty dipped slightly below 50% overall, but top brands are still keeping customers in the family.Average brand loyalty across all nameplates is 49%, down from 51% last year.Toyota leads mass market cars at 62%, with Honda close behind.Honda tops mass market SUVs at 62%, just ahead of Subaru.Ford trucks earn the highest loyalty in the entire study at 66.6%.Tyson Jominy of J.D. Power ““Brand loyalty matters to vehicle buyers because it's often associated with higher residual values, making vehicles from trusted brands a more financially sound choice over time.””Apple is testing a new internal chatbot, Veritas, to speed up Siri's long-delayed AI overhaul. While employees are using it to prototype smarter features, Apple looks increasingly likely to lean on Google's Gemini for consumer-facing AI.Veritas is being used to test Siri upgrades like searching personal data and editing photos.The tool functions like ChatGPT or Gemini, with conversational history and deeper follow-ups.Apple has delayed its Siri revamp multiple times, with Apple Intelligence drawing lukewarm reviews.For now, Veritas will remain internal — a move Bloomberg's Mark Gurman calls a mistake.Apple may outsource search AI to Google, signaling it's behind in the race to integrate AI.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:30 The More Than Cars Launch on October 1 - morethancars.com4:59 September Retail Auto Sales Strong7:54 JD Power Brand Loyalty SurJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.On this Saturday, Chris Reeves join Paul and Kyle to talk about the upcoming launch of the next phase of the More Than Cars movement.Chris shares the story of how Greenwood Chevrolet's team showed up. 180 employees joined Panerathon 2025, raising $3,145 for the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center. Business Manager Tracy Briden led the charge, proving that when leadership buys in, the rest of the team follows. That kind of unity can't be manufactured—it's lived. And then Greenwood Chevy presented them with a $5000 check on top of that. It's a reminder that its about more than cars.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1156: Ford's Jim Farley warns America about jobs and trades in the AI era. Subaru reveals its first dealership redesign in nearly two decades. And the once-hyped “vibe coding” boom may already be running out of steam.Ford CEO Jim Farley says America's economy is at a crossroads. As AI threatens to eliminate millions of office jobs, he warns the U.S. is overlooking the “essential economy” of trades and manufacturing that keep the country running.Farley predicts up to 50% of white-collar jobs could vanish within a decade due to AI.Entry-level positions like clerical work and coding are especially at risk, shrinking career pathways for young professionals.By contrast, blue-collar fields face massive shortages—600,000 factory workers and nearly 500,000 construction workers are already needed.Farley highlights Germany's strong apprenticeship programs, saying the U.S. overemphasis on four-year degrees leaves trade careers underfunded and undervalued.“There's more than one way to the American Dream,” Farley said.Subaru is rolling out a new dealership design for the first time since 2007. Called the Connection Hub, the redesign mixes nature themes with high-tech touches, aiming to give customers an immersive brand experience.Exterior upgrades include a “grand, park-like pavilion” with star-shaped columns and a central walkway leading to inventory.Inside, “lifestyle vehicle vignettes” display cars in real-world scenarios, complete with accessories and digital storytelling.Outdoor areas will double as lounges, play spaces, or even dog parks to tie into Subaru's community-focused image.Dealers have voiced mixed reactions—90 retailers have said they're in, while others worry about costs amid slowing sales and rising interest rates.“This is more than a design update — it transforms our retailers' facilities into welcoming hubs,” said Subaru retail VP Tim Stallings.The vibe coding craze might be losing momentum. Barclays analysts say traffic to AI-powered app and site builders—once hyped as the future of no-code—has slumped hard after peaking earlier this year.Lovable, which hit $100M ARR in June, has seen visits fall 40%, Vercel's v0 plunged 64% and Bolt.new dropped 27%.Analysts warn many of these gains came from month-to-month subscribers, making revenue growth less durable than it looked during the hype cycle.Heavy “inference whale” users earlier strained business models, forcing startups to raise prices, which may have accelerated the slowdown.“The churn rate for everyone is really high,” said Bolt.new CEO Eric Simons. “You have to build a retentive business.”0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:37 The History of The Jacket Paul is Wearing Today2:01 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with Uber for Business2:30 Jim Farley On AI's WJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1155: Overfuel calls out dealership websites for failing performance tests, RunSafe says cybersecurity is now a dealbreaker for buyers, and ChatGPT becomes a top traffic driver for retailers — while Amazon charts its own AI pathShow Notes with links:​​Overfuel's second annual study of top 50 dealer group websites reveals a major gap in digital performance. Despite increasing online shopper behavior, nearly every site failed to meet Google's Core Web Vitals — for the second year in a row.Just 0.4% of 1,910 dealership sites passed Google's Core Web Vitals on both mobile and desktop.That's barely up from 0.0% in 2024, when no sites passed both benchmarks.The majority of failures came from outdated tech, bloated page designs, and poor optimization.Jay Wolfe Honda was one of only seven that passed both tests, boosting organic traffic by 29%.“Too many dealers are overspending on ads just to push traffic into broken experiences,” said Overfuel President Alex Griffis.Cybersecurity is now steering consumer decisions, with nearly 9 in 10 drivers saying it directly impacts whether they'll buy a connected vehicle. A new report from RunSafe Security shows rising concern — and confusion — about how safe today's tech-heavy cars really are.87% of drivers say cybersecurity influences their car-buying decision; 70% would buy an older car to avoid risk.Confidence is low: only 19% feel “very confident” their vehicle is secure.Infotainment systems are seen as the weak link, with OTA updates and AI features raising new concerns.83% of drivers want transparency into software supply chains, fearing third-party components.Andreas Biehl, Head of Mercedes-Benz Apps and MBUX: “We have the responsibility for user experience, but also to launch and run the whole product through comprehensive security and data-compliance processes.”ChatGPT is now driving meaningful traffic to major e-commerce players, signaling a shift in how consumers discover and shop for products online — and not everyone is playing along.In August, ChatGPT drove 20% of Walmart's referral traffic, 15% for Target, and over 20% for Etsy.OpenAI's own study says 2% of ChatGPT queries — about 50 million a day — involve shopping.Amazon blocked ChatGPT from crawling its listings, losing nearly 18% of its AI-driven traffic month-over-month.Amazon is betting on its own AI bot “Rufus” while retailers like Walmart are welcoming outside traffic.“This traffic will not be free in the future,” said analyst Juozas Kaziukėnas. “But for now, it's a gold rush.”0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier3:51 Dealership Websites Fair Google's Core Web Vitals6:44 87% of Car BuJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1154: Ford gets creative to close Q3 with a subprime rate push on F-150s. New Jersey locks in fair pay for techs doing recall work. And Chick-fil-A jumps into the specialty drink race with a fresh new concept.Show Notes with links:Ford is making a bold push to close Q3 strong by offering promotional interest rates to subprime borrowers—an unusual but calculated move that underscores growing affordability challenges in the new vehicle market.The deal, ending this month, allows buyers with credit scores below 620 to access the same low rates typically reserved for prime borrowers.Ford is targeting this incentive to move more F-150 pickups, which now range from $39K to nearly $80K.With average monthly payments nearing $750 and interest rates at 6.4%, the brand sees affordability as a top barrier to closing deals.Extended terms of 72–84 months are increasingly common, and Ford's finance arm says only 3–4% of its 2024 loans qualify as “higher risk.”“We wanted to provide the opportunity to those with credit ratings that may not be perfect,” a Ford spokesperson said. “This could help offset rising monthly payments.”New legislation in New Jersey is giving dealership service departments a major boost—ensuring fair pay for recall and warranty work while holding automakers more accountable.The “Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act” takes effect April 2026.Manufacturers must reimburse at retail labor rates, not discounted warranty rates.Automakers must also pay 1.5% monthly of book value for any “stop sale” or “do not drive” recall units sitting on lots.Illinois saw an annual $249M increase in warranty payouts after passing similar legislation.“This legislation represents a critical step forward… and ensures that automakers fairly compensate those who fix their mistakes,” said NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta.Chick-fil-A is entering the specialty drink wars with a new concept called Daybright, a standalone beverage-focused brand launching near Atlanta later this fall.Daybright will feature smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and specialty coffees—no chicken sandwiches here.Operated by Chick-fil-A's innovation arm, Red Wagon Ventures, the concept joins earlier spin-offs like Little Blue Menu and Pennycake.The new brand enters a booming beverage space already being chased by McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Wendy's.Competitors like 7 Brew and Dutch Bros have seen triple-digit growth as Gen Z flocks to drink-first concepts.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:07 Huge Launch Announcement at MoreThanCars.com2:20 ASOTU Edge Webinar TODAY at 2PM on Cost-Cutting3:10 Ford Offers Low Rates To Sub-Prime Buyers5:29 New Jersey MandJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1153: Carvana expands its dealership experiment in Dallas, Berkshire Hathaway closes the books on its massive BYD bet, and Amazon steps up its AI game with a chat assistant for advertisers.Show Notes with links:Carvana is making another big move into franchised new-car sales, and this time it's happening in Dallas. The company has agreed to acquire Park Cities Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram-Fiat, marking its second foray into the world of traditional dealerships.This is Carvana's second franchised dealership after buying Jerry Seiner CDJR in Casa Grande, Arizona, earlier this year.Wood Motor Co. owner Chip Johnson, who sold the Dallas store, said it was simply the right time to sell and Carvana's offer made sense for the future of the dealershipThe deal reflects Carvana's ongoing experiment in blending its digital-first model with the in-person dealership experience.A Carvana spokesperson said: “We are in the very early days of testing as a franchise dealer… and we look forward to continuing to learn as we focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.”Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway have officially cashed out of their wildly successful bet on Chinese EV maker BYD. After holding the stock for 17 years, Berkshire confirmed it no longer owns a single share.This is the end of a $230 million investment made in 2008 at Charlie Munger's urging, which grew to nearly $9 billion at its peak.BYD shares skyrocketed about 3,890% during Berkshire's ownership, making it one of the firm's most lucrative EV-related plays.Buffett hasn't given a detailed reason for the exit but has voiced concern about geopolitical risks tied to China and Taiwan.On BYD, Buffett told CNBC: “It's an extraordinary company run by an extraordinary person, but I think that we'll find things to do with the money that I'll feel better about.”Amazon is stepping deeper into AI for marketers, rolling out a conversational chat assistant designed to act as a “creative partner” for brands advertising on its platform.The tool lives inside Amazon's Creative Studio and is launching in beta at no cost to advertisers.This is Amazon's first conversational AI ad assistant, built to help with research, brainstorming, storyboarding, and producing display and video ads.The assistant uses Amazon's massive shopper data and Bedrock foundation models like Nova and Anthropic Claude to give marketers campaign-ready assets.It's being pitched as a way to level the playing field, especially for smaller brands without big agency budgets.Amazon's VP Jay Richman said: “This is about more than speed — it's about giving every advertiser and agency access to the kind of strategic, high-quality creative support that once only large brands could afford.”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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1152: Today we're talking Hyundai and GM's detailed game plan for their collab, Stellantis' new EV tech that sheds weight and adds power,, and why Americans are going bigger than ever on Halloween—even with higher prices haunting their budgets.Show Notes with links:Hyundai and GM's strategic collaboration will co-develop five vehicles aimed at growing their presence in the Americas while containing costs in a tightening market.The partnership kicks off in 2028 with an electric commercial van for North America and expands to include a compact crossover, sedan, and two pickups for Central and South America.Initial volumes are expected to hit 100,000 units, with a long-term goal of reaching 800,000 annual sales.Each company will “donate” specific models: Hyundai leads the electric van and compact vehicles, while GM heads development of midsize pickups.The duo will lean into shared logistics, propulsion systems, and battery supply chains to drive efficiency.“We are not going to mix everything to try to do a hybrid — that is not going to work. There is a donor and a receiver of a particular product.” said Hyundai CEO Jose Muñoz.Stellantis is rolling out its new Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS)—a breakthrough powertrain innovation that could redefine EV architecture by baking the charger and inverter directly into the battery pack.IBIS cuts vehicle weight by about 40 kg and frees 17 liters of space, boosting aerodynamics and interior design options.The system improves energy efficiency by up to 10%, slashes charging times by 15%, and delivers 15% more power with no added battery size.Developed in partnership with Saft, Sherpa Engineering, and others, IBIS simplifies servicing and enhances battery reuse for second-life applications.A fully functional prototype is now on the road in a Peugeot E-3008 riding on Stellantis' STLA Medium platform.Consumers may be bracing for price hikes, but that's not stopping them from going big on Halloween this year—with spending expected to hit a record $13.1 billion.Top categories: $4.3B on costumes, $4.2B on decorations, and $3.9B on candy.Per-person spend is also at an all-time high: $114.45, up nearly $11 from last year.79% of shoppers expect higher prices due to tariffs, yet 73% still plan to celebrate.Pets aren't left out—$860M will be spent dressing them up as pumpkins, hot dogs, and bumblebees.Top costumes? Kids are going with Spider-Man, princesses, and witches; adults favor witches, vampires, and pirates.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:00 Big Announcement on 10.011:25 Announcements2:02 Hyundai and GM To Launch 5 Co-Developed Vehicles5:25 Stellantis' New EV Tech Means Lighter Batteries and Faster Charging10:20 Halloween Spending To Hit $4Join 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/

Shoot us a Text.Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to discuss fall vibes, plus how Shanehan Westphal and Herrin-Gear Infiniti hosted a car show and raised an incredible $29,280, all of which will go to Children's of Mississippi.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1150: Today we're looking at the story that led Lithia to become the powerhouse it is today, showing a sneak peek of an upcoming interview with Alex Lawrence and talking about Meta's latest tech.Show Notes with links:From one small Dodge store in Oregon to the largest dealership group in the U.S., the DeBoer family's journey with Lithia Motors is a case study in vision, timing, and relentless growth. Automotive News honored Sid and Bryan DeBoer with a Centennial Award for their lasting industry impact.Lithia's roots trace back to 1946, when Walt DeBoer opened a Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealership in Ashland, Ore.After Walt's sudden death in 1968, Sid DeBoer stepped in, rebuilt the business, and grew it into a five-store group by the 1990s.In 1996, Sid took Lithia public, fueling an aggressive acquisition strategy that reshaped the group into a national powerhouse.Bryan DeBoer became CEO in 2012, executing megadeals like DCH Auto Group and expanding into Canada, the U.K., finance, and fleet management.By 2024, Lithia operated 459 stores across three countries, generating $36.2B in revenue and selling more than 780,000 vehicles.Sid on Lithia's future: “We won't stop growing… We're trying to build a business that can survive even if the franchise system falls apart.”Yesterday, Kyle was able to swing by EV Auto in Brentwood to catch up with the one and only Alex Lawrence. After a sneak peek of everything the EV Auto team is planning for the store, including some secrets we can't share, he and Alex sat down to chat about what drives EV Auto and why they're committed to being the biggest seller of EVs in the world.Meta is pushing its wearable technology forward with the launch of new Ray-Ban Display Glasses. The glasses are designed to project information directly into the wearer's line of sight and could signal how everyday computing may evolve.The glasses include a small electronic display on the right lens that shows texts, maps, calls, and translations.Users control the glasses with a neural wristband that detects hand and finger gestures.The product will sell for at least $800 and requires a smartphone connection to operate.The glasses carry a six-hour battery life and weigh three times more than a standard pair of Ray-Bans.Early adoption is expected to come from specialized industries and tech enthusiasts rather than mainstream consumers.Mark Zuckerberg positioned the product within Meta's long-term strategy, stating: “This will be a defining year that determines if we're on a path towards many hundreds of millions, and eventually billions of AI glasses.”0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:45 Deboers Win Automotive News Centennial Award6:20 Interview with Alex Lawrence of EV Auto13:56 Meta Releases Ray-Ban DisplayJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1149: We're live outside of EV Auto in Brentwood. Today, we look at how automakers have relatively kept car prices normal despite rising tariffs. Plus, Waymo and Lyft are teaming up to bring autonomous rides to the streets of Music City.Automakers have kept price hikes at bay despite billions in tariff-related costs from the Trump-era trade war. But the pressure is building—and price increases may be just around the corner.Automakers like GM and Ford are absorbing up to $5 billion and $3 billion respectively in tariff-related costs.Despite this, MSRPs have remained relatively flat—up less than 1% between March and August, per Edmunds.Some costs are being quietly passed along via fees like delivery, which jumped 8.5% to $1,507.Analysts expect prices to gradually increase as tariffs stick, with focus shifting to more profitable models.Hyundai's Randy Parker: “Our priority remains ensuring that we're competitive through affordability.”Waymo has announced a new partnership with Lyft to launch a robotaxi service in Nashville, with public access planned for 2026. The collaboration reflects a growing trend in autonomous mobility partnerships.Testing of Waymo's all-electric, self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles begins in the coming months.Lyft will manage fleet services via its Flexdrive subsidiary, including maintenance and depot operations.Riders will first access vehicles through the Waymo app, with Lyft integration to follow.The deal mirrors Waymo's arrangement with Uber but gives users more choice in how to hail rides.“We're excited to partner with Lyft again to bring our Waymo Driver to more people,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo.Mental health is quickly becoming Gen Z's top priority, outpacing physical health and academics. Retailers are responding by centering campaigns around well-being, using purpose-driven strategies to build trust and authentically engage young consumers.PacSun's “Youth Report” found 42% of Gen Z consumers rank mental health as their top life priority.Lululemon's research showed 89% of those with “wellbeing burnout” cite loneliness, and many feel overwhelmed by mixed wellness advice.L.L.Bean and Mental Health America found 79% of respondents say outdoor time improves mental health.Dunnhumby data showed Gen Z prioritizes mental health more than any other generation.“We have a unique opportunity to engage...to help them prioritize mental health,” said American Eagle's Jennifer Foyle.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1148: Buyers rush to lock in EV tax credits, Toyota builds an app to hack your habits, and Walmart's HR chief taps AI for top talent. Legacy automakers saw a sharp EV registration bump in July as buyers rushed to lock in the $7,500 federal tax credit before it expires at the end of September. However, Tesla, Rivian, and VinFast didn't share in the win.EV registrations jumped 27% for legacy brands like Chevrolet and Honda, far outpacing the overall 6% EV market growth and pushing EV share to 8.9% of the light-vehicle market.Tesla saw a 13% YoY drop in registrations, while Rivian dipped 6% and VinFast slid 17%.Chevrolet more than doubled its EV registrations, while Volkswagen posted a 127% increaseHonda's Prologue EV offered nearly $13,000 per unit in incentives, helping it to a 102% rise, while Audi tripled its numbers thanks to strong Q4 e-tron performance.“The current surge in EV sales is being driven by product innovation, motivated dealers and an urgency ahead of the IRA tax credit phaseout,” said Cox Automotive's Stephanie Valdez Streaty.Toyota is getting creative about plug-in hybrid charging with a new app that uses behavioral science to make sure owners actually… plug in. It's dopamine-driven, gamified brain hacking in the name of better fuel economy.Toyota's ChargeMinder app uses over a dozen behavioral interventions to encourage charging, including personalized reminders and gamified streaks.It boosted U.S. user satisfaction by 16 percentage points and increased off-peak charging in Japan by 59%, though U.S. charging frequency only rose 10%.The app uses vehicle telematics and location data to deliver nudges and educational quizzes that make charging habits stick.Toyota says this low-cost strategy can rival expensive infrastructure or incentive programs in moving consumer behavior.Dr. Laura Libby, Manager, Carbon Neutrality, Human Centered AI, Toyota Research Institute: “Small, targeted interventions can have a large impact on people's decisions and actions.”While most associate AI in hiring with resume screening, Walmart's Chief People Officer Donna Morris is tapping tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to help identify potential candidates—especially for high-level internal or external leadership roles.Morris uses AI to ask targeted questions when kicking off key searches, saying the results often align closely with candidates already under consideration.Walmart has already piloted an AI Interview Coach and is launching a custom version of OpenAI's Certification Program through Walmart Academy.Morris also uses AI in daily life—from diagnosing her father's skin bruises to finding art replicas and restaurant recs—crediting it with making research faster and more accessible.“Now, the access to information is phenomenal,” she said. “I thinkJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1147: Today we're covering a first-of-its-kind Stellantis store acquisition backed by Ellenae Fairhurst's trust, a new AI tool that negotiates car deals for shoppers, and the latest U.S.-China framework over TikTokThe late Ellenae Fairhurst's legacy lives on as a Stellantis store in Virginia has new owners, in a new approach to dealership ownership.Fairhurst Automotive, backed by the Ellenae Fairhurst Entrepreneurial Trust, acquired and rebranded the South Richmond CDJR store.Ellenae Fairhurst was the first Black woman to own Infiniti and Lexus stores in the US and her trust, formed in 2024, funds and mentors first-time Black dealers with a path to majority ownership and wealth creation.New co-owners Ken Banks and Chris Justice navigated regulatory hurdles and surprise costs, including a $50,000 business license and $40,000 in IT upgrades.Adviser Stuart McCallum and the team at Biltmore Automotive guided the operators through everything from DMS installation to state licensing.“They took two people who knew nothing about ownership… and just walked us through it,” said co-owner Chris Justice.Many customers dread negotiating a car price, so CarEdge thinks AI should do it for you. The startup's new “AI Negotiator” lets customers pay $40 to have an AI agent haggle with dealers on their behalf.CarEdge launched its AI Negotiator app in July; over 2,000 customers have already paid to try it.Users set a target price, and the AI contacts dealers directly via email and text — without revealing it's not a human.The system tracks 150+ data points per interaction, building a database of doc fees and add-ons nationwide.Founder Zach Shefska says dealers and OEMs are already taking notice, calling CarEdge “the tip of the spear.”“There's still going to be people that walk up to the dealership [to negotiate], but there's a percentage of sales that can happen without the incumbent cost infrastructure, and everyone can win. That's what I'm passionate about,” Shefska said.The U.S. and China have struck a framework deal over TikTok's ownership, potentially shifting control from ByteDance to a U.S. company.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the framework during trade talks in Madrid; Trump and Xi are expected to discuss final details Friday.The deal addresses U.S. demands for local control of user data and oversight of TikTok's proprietary algorithm.China insists it won't compromise on principles or allow “politicization” of technology and trade.Broader issues remain unresolved, including fentanyl chemical exports, sanctions on Chinese firms, and new U.S. export controls.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1146: Automotive News's 100th anniversary Congress celebrated industry icons and looked towards the future, Elon Musk bets big on Tesla, shoppers get overwhelmed by too many choices (sound familiar?)Show Notes with links:At its 100th anniversary Congress, Automotive News celebrated legacy while tackling the industry's most pressing challenges—from EV adoption to geopolitical threats.Centennial Awards went to GM's Mary Barra and Hyundai's Euisun Chung for transformational leadership.Chung addressed the ICE worker raid, signaling cross-government cooperation: “I hope we can make together a better system for that.”Barra emphasized EV commitment despite headwinds: “From an EV perspective, that is still our North Star.”Industry insiders warned of China's dominance—EV share grew from 6% to 50% in five years, while foreign brands lost half their market share.Asbury CEO David Hult called fixed ops the “backbone” of the dealership, with aging vehicles and tech shifts fueling long-term growth saying he's “really bullish on the next six to 10 years.”Tesla stock surged after CEO Elon Musk disclosed a nearly $1B stock buy, calming investor nerves amid political distractions and sagging EV demand.Musk bought 2.57M shares on Friday, spending between $372 and $396 each.Tesla shares jumped over 8% in premarket trading Monday, continuing a late-week rally.Despite a 2% year-to-date dip, the stock is on pace for its third straight daily gain.Investor concerns had grown over Musk's political focus and waning EV demand.Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm pushed back: “Elon is back front and center at the company.”A new survey reveals grocery shoppers are overwhelmed by too many choices—and many now treat food labels like vehicle window stickers.36% of Americans report “aisle anxiety,” triggered by too many options and crowded stores.Shoppers spend an average of 4 minutes per item, with 71% trying to be more intentional.Retailers like Trader Joe's and Aldi combat “choice paralysis” by limiting SKUs per category.Certifications matter: 40% research products for health, ethics, and sustainability—but many confuse terms like “natural” and “organic.”“When consumers see a trusted certification, it's like a shortcut to feeling good about their decision,” said Jamie Horst, Traditional Medicinals' Chief Purpose Officer.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier2:45 Announcements: Upcoming Webinar3:17 Automotive New 100th Anniversary Congress6:12 Elon Musk Buys $1B of Tesla Stock8:39 36% Of Americans Have "Aisle Anxiety"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/

Shoot us a Text.On this Saturday, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the power of remembrance and how Carla Cosenzi and TommyCar Auto Group are connecting people in a meaninful way through the 17th Annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament.Founded in memory of Tom Cosenzi, the event supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the incredible work of Dr. Wen and his team.Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers showed up in full force to continue the mission of giving back.Carla Cosenzi on LinkedIn said “Dad, I hope you are proud of what has been built in your name… Together, we are making a 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1144: Dealers face rising cyber threats, Chevy launches big EV incentives, and the Goodyear Blimp marks 100 years over Detroit.Show Notes with links:Proton Dealership IT's Cybersecurity 2025 report shows auto retailers are still being hit hard by organized cyberattacks. Activity remains 150–250% higher than before mid-2024's massive outage, with new tactics targeting dealership websites, employees, and customer data.December 2024 saw a 110% year-over-year increase in dealership cyberattacks.A March 2025 supply chain breach slipped malware into dealership website photos.Criminals time attacks around holidays and off-hours, boosting ransom success.Stolen passwords and remote access put payroll, banking, and OEM systems at risk.Proton urges dealers to enforce MFA, deploy Managed Detection & Response, and train staff against phishing.“Attacks are targeting dealerships every single day. How well those dealerships are protected makes a difference,” Proton warns.Chevrolet is going all-in on affordability this month with new incentives across its Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs—just in time before the federal EV tax credit dries up.The Equinox EV, dubbed “America's most affordable 315+ mile range EV,” now leases for as low as $249/month.Chevy is offering up to $3,000 in customer cash on the Equinox and up to $4,000 on the Silverado EV.Costco members can save an additional $1,250 on top of existing offers.Financing deals include 0% APR for 60 months or the $7,500 tax credit applied at the point of sale.Senior Vice President and President, North America, Duncan Aldred: “We will almost certainly see a smaller EV market for a while, and we won't overproduce. Still, we believe GM can continue to grow EV market share.”​​If you spotted the Goodyear Blimp flying over Detroit this week, it wasn't covering a touchdown or home run—it was celebrating a milestone.The Goodyear Blimp “Wingfoot One” was in town for the 2025 Automotive News Congress in Detroit.Goodyear and Automotive News are both celebrating their 100th anniversaries this year.Rides were offered to Congress attendees from Willow Run Airport on Sept. 10. And on Sept. 11, the blimp soared over the city in honor of the industry event.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1143: Today, we pause and reflect on the state of the union, in light of September 11th and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.This industry is about More Than Cars, and its our job to carry that light and that hope forward in how we serve our employees, customers and our communities.​​US EV sales hit another milestone in August pushing EVs to a record 9.9% share of new car sales. With tax credits ending this month, Q3 is on pace to be the strongest EV quarter in US history.August EV sales hit 146,332, up from 9.1% share in July, while theverage EV price: $57,245 — up 3.1% from July, flat year-over-year.Incentives averaged $9,000 per vehicle, equal to 16% of ATP.Tesla's market share fell to 38%, its lowest ever, as rivals surged.Cox analyst Stephanie Valdez Streaty: “The one constant in the automotive business is that fresh product sells well. The market is now flooded with all-new, fresh EVs from mainstream competitors – consumers have more choice than ever.”Ford is taking center stage in late-night TV as Jimmy Fallon tapes The Tonight Show in Detroit for the first time ever.The Detroit Opera House, built in 1922, will host Fallon's one-night show on September 15.Ford is in its fifth year partnering with Fallon and NBC.Fallon previously test-drove a Mustang GT with Jim Farley and filmed skits promoting the F-150 Lightning.Ford-backed segments have included everything from a parody music video to puppies predicting the Kentucky Derby.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1142: Stellantis and GM double down on Canadian production with third-shift revivals. U.S.–South Korea trade tensions threaten key EV investments after a Hyundai-linked ICE raid. Plus, Kyle and Steve share takeaways from the NCM Digital Success Workshop.Show Notes with links:It's a good day for Canadian auto workers as both Stellantis and General Motors announce plans to extend or reinstate third shifts at major plants, signaling stronger-than-expected demand and effective union pressure.Stellantis' Windsor Assembly Plant will return to a three-shift schedule in Q1 2026.The move follows a commitment made in 2023 Unifor negotiations, aiming to meet increased demand for Chrysler minivans and Dodge Chargers.Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart calls it an “encouraging step” for members and the community.Meanwhile, GM's Oshawa plant will retain its third shift until January 30, 2026, delaying previously announced layoffs.A spokesperson said the move was in response to short-term ”production needs" for light-duty pickups.Unifor President Lana Payne sees the shift extensions as “a sign of life for a critical industry” under threat from U.S. tariffs: “Fighting back matters.”A $350B investment deal between the U.S. and South Korea is under pressure following a high-profile ICE raid and growing concerns about how the fund will be structured—potentially jeopardizing future incentives for Korean automakers.The ICE raid at a Hyundai-linked battery plant in Georgia sparked outrage in South Korea, prompting emergency diplomatic talks.The $350B fund, originally pitched to mirror a U.S.-Japan deal, is now in dispute over whether it includes direct investments or just loan guarantees.South Korea insists it needs different terms due to the greater impact such capital would have on its economy.A key auto trade component—lower tariffs on Korean-made vehicles—is still pending, and may be delayed if talks break down.Kim Yong-beom, South Korea's director of national policy said that while the auto tariffs are important, they're not worth rushing the fund to completion, either.0:00 Intro with Kyle Mountsier and Steve Greenfield0:50 Announcements1:35 Stellantis, GM Increase Canada Shifts3:33 South Korea Trade Deal In Jeopardy5:47 NCM Client and Friends Digital Success Workshop RecapJoin 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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1141: Tesla drops a philosophy-heavy master plan that barely mentions EVs. Palmer Luckey becomes the first to fly the Jetson One eVTOL. And McKinsey pushes back on AI job fears with a boost in entry-level hiring.Tesla's “Master Plan Part IV” is here, and it might just be the most philosophical of the bunch. With barely a mention of actual cars, the company appears to be pivoting hard toward artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and an ambitious goal they call “sustainable abundance.”The document positions Tesla as a leader in building tools that "bring AI into the physical world."The original "Master Plans" outlined clear goals: launch EVs, scale production, and push solar. Fewer than 200 words of Part IV reference Tesla's current or future products, with humanoid robot Optimus taking center stage.The plan leans heavily into themes like "Growth is infinite" and "Innovation removes constraints" instead of product roadmaps.Electric vehicles are only mentioned in the context of the past; the future is autonomy, labor automation, and AI computing.Musk has said Tesla's humanoid robots will account for “~80% of Tesla's long-term value.”Tech founder Palmer Luckey just became the first customer to take delivery of the Jetson One — a personal electric aircraft that doesn't even require a pilot's license. And yes, he took it for a spin.The Oculus and Anduril founder lifted off in Carlsbad, CA after just 50 minutes of training.Jetson One is a $128,000 single-seat eVTOL with 20-minute flight time and 63 mph top speed.Luckey's flight kicks off Jetson's official global rollout; 2025 and 2026 models are already sold out.Jetson's CTO says their goal is to “move ground-based transportation up to the air.”At a time when many fear AI will make junior roles obsolete, McKinsey is leaning in the opposite direction. The firm announced it plans to grow North American hiring by 12% in 2026, with a focus on entry-level talent — especially those fluent in emerging tech.McKinsey currently employs 5,000–7,000 non-partners in North America and could grow that number by up to 20% in five years.North America chair Eric Kutcher values younger workers' fluency in tech: “The 20-year-old econ major… is way more in tune.”Kutcher emphasized that while AI may improve efficiency, it frees up teams to pursue growth initiatives — not layoffs.Many CEOs aren't excited by cost-cutting; they're eager to redirect resources toward new opportunities, he noted.“What we will work on will still require the same level of intellect… doing the things that you can't do with machines,” said Kutcher.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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1140: Today we're talking about Toyota's big ethanol play in Fukushima and California lawmakers slamming the brakes on “Leno's Law” for classic cars. Plus, Paul's back with some unexpected retail takeaways from his vacation travels.Show Notes with links:Toyota and a coalition of Japanese automakers are doing something symbolic and strategic — turning the former Fukushima no-go zone into a proving ground for next-gen biofuels.A Toyota-led consortium is piloting ethanol biofuel production in Okuma, the town devastated by the 2011 nuclear disaster.They're cultivating high-cellulose sorghum, which outperforms corn in poor soil and doesn't compete with food crops.This is part of Japan's “multipathway” strategy — pushing hybrids, synthetic fuels, and biofuels alongside EVs.The group, which includes Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Eneos, opened a $33M plant in November to convert the sorghum to E10 fuel.“We want this movement to spread beyond Japan to the world,” said Toyota CTO Hiroki Nakajima while touring the fields in a straw hat.Jay Leno's push to exempt classic car owners from smog checks in California has officially stalled. Despite passing the Senate and Leno's personal testimony, the bill was quietly killed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.Senate Bill 712, dubbed “Leno's Law,” would have exempted pre-1981 cars with historic plates from smog checks.The Assembly's Appropriations Committee killed the bill without explanation, alongside 70 others on its “suspense file.”Leno argued classic car smog checks are outdated, expensive, and hard to perform with modern equipment.Environmental groups and air quality regulators opposed the bill, citing cost and pollution concerns.“Sadly, today California said ‘no' to helping preserve these rolling pieces of history,” said sponsor Sen. Shannon Grove.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/

Shoot us a Text.The first weekend of September! Head Writer Chris Reeves joins Kyle Mountsier to discuss how the auto industry ramps up its community contributions in the fall towards the end of the year.We love hearing how dealers are giving back, and today we get to highlight how Gettel Automotive Group has donated $70,000 to support food banks in the communities we serve across Florida and Georgia.This contribution will help families in: