Automotive State of The Union

ASOTU Podcasts

Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier don’t just read headlines, they make the most important connections across car dealerships, general retail, tech, and culture. The goal? To help automotive leaders think clearer and move faster in a world that refuses to slow down. Whether you’re running a rooftop, building a brand, or just trying to keep up with everything shifting in the business of selling cars, this is your regular stop for a shot of news, insight, and a little bit of chaos…always rooted in people-first thinking.  From the showroom to Silicon Valley.  From Wall Street to Main Street. Paul and Kyle connect the dots, keep it real, and make it make sense. Learn more at https://www.asotu.com

  1. -1 J

    Sub-Prime F-150s, NJ Warranty Pay, Sip of Daybright

    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 Mountsier 1:07 Huge Launch Announcement at MoreThanCars.com 2:20 ASOTU Edge Webinar TODAY at 2PM on Cost-Cutting 3:10 Ford Offers Low Rates To Sub-Prime Buyers 5:29 New Jersey Mand 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/

    11 min

  2. -2 J

    Carvana Dealership #2, Buffett Cashes Out BYD, Amazon AI Ad Assist

    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/

    12 min

  3. -3 J

    Hyundai/GM Collab, Stellantis EV Tech, Halloween Bigger Than Ever

    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 Mountsier 1:00 Big Announcement on 10.01 1:25 Announcements 2:02 Hyundai and GM To Launch 5 Co-Developed Vehicles 5:25 Stellantis' New EV Tech Means Lighter Batteries and Faster Charging 10:20 Halloween Spending To Hit $4 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/

    13 min

  4. -5 J

    How Herrin-Gear Infiniti Made Themselves Sticky In Their Community

    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/

    14 min

  5. -6 J

    How Lithia Grew To #1, Why Alex Lawrence Is All In On EVs, Meta Bets On New Ray-Bans

    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 Mountsier 1:45 Deboers Win Automotive News Centennial Award 6:20 Interview with Alex Lawrence of EV Auto 13:56 Meta Releases Ray-Ban Display 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/

    18 min

  6. -6 J

    Live from EV Auto in Nashville: OEMs Absorb Tariff Cost, Waymo/Lyft to Music City, Gen Z’s Focus On Mental Health

    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/

    12 min

  7. 17 SEPT.

    EV Registrations Jump 27%, Charging Reminder App, Walmart Uses AI To Hire

    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/

    13 min

  8. 16 SEPT.

    Fairhurst Trust Helps New Dealers, CarEdge AI Negotiator, TikTok Deal Close?

    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 TikTok The 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/

    15 min
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À propos

Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier don’t just read headlines, they make the most important connections across car dealerships, general retail, tech, and culture. The goal? To help automotive leaders think clearer and move faster in a world that refuses to slow down. Whether you’re running a rooftop, building a brand, or just trying to keep up with everything shifting in the business of selling cars, this is your regular stop for a shot of news, insight, and a little bit of chaos…always rooted in people-first thinking.  From the showroom to Silicon Valley.  From Wall Street to Main Street. Paul and Kyle connect the dots, keep it real, and make it make sense. Learn more at https://www.asotu.com

Informations

  • Chaîne
    ASOTU Podcasts
  • Création
    More Than Cars Media Network
  • Années d’activité
    2021 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    1,2 k
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2025 ASOTU, Inc.
  • Site web de l’émission
    Automotive State of The Union

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