Automotive State of The Union

ASOTU Podcasts
  • 5.0 (31)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED DAILY

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. 13H AGO

    Doc Fees Must Be Included In Advertising, GM Grows Tech Number, Gen Alpha Starts Spending

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1304: The FTC gave NADA clarity on their recent warning letters, GM has significantly cut down on their technician shortage and Gen Alpha is flexing their spending power. The FTC gave NADA direct clarity on advertising expectations, and the agency drew a bright line: the price customers see first must be the real price they can actually pay. After the Federal Trade Commission sent warning letters to 97 dealerships on March 13, NADA reached out for clarification, according to ComplyAutoThe FTC says the most prominent advertised price must be the all-in price—only taxes, title, and registration can be excluded.Doc fees must now be included in that headline number, regardless of state-level nuances.Additional pricing details are allowed, but must be less prominent, clearly explained, and not misleading.The FTC framed this initiative as part of the Trump Administration's broader push for transparent pricing in the marketplace and enforcement actions against dealers are expected to follow.NADA is hosting a webinar on Monday, April 6 with a senior FTC attorney to provide more information about the warning letters and the agency's views of dealer advertisingGM dealers are gaining ground in the technician shortage, with stronger pipelines and more trained talent hitting the floor. But as EVs and advanced tech ramp up, the need for skilled service pros is still outpacing supply. GM dealers now employ 23% more technicians than in 2021, showing real traction from training investments.Apprenticeships are up 18%, and “world-class” technicians—top certification level—have doubled.The gap remains steep: industry needs ~76K techs yearly, but only ~39K are graduating from programs.GM is attacking the problem from all angles—schools, military programs, and hands-on training with 250 donated vehicles annually.“If we want the future workforce to be ready and able to service our vehicles, they have to have the product to work on.” — Aaron Charbonneau, GM director of dealer, service and warranty operationsGen Alpha isn’t waiting to grow up—they’re already shaping buying decisions and making purchases. A new PwC report shows kids as young as 7 are actively influencing carts, clicks, and brand loyalty in ways dealers (and brands) can’t ignore. 52% of kids 7–14 have added items to shared online carts.A quarter have ordered food themselves through apps.Smartphone ownership hits 89% by ages 13–14, fueling direct purchasing.YouTube, gaming, and streaming dominate attention—traditional ads miss them.The report says, “Generation Alpha isn’t a future consumer segment…they’re participating now.”Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they consistent 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

  2. 1D AGO

    China’s Dealer Meltdown, Stellantis Parking Police, AI Can't Actually Learn

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1303: China’s price war is crushing dealers while a quirky Stellantis policy highlights a very different retail reality here at home. Plus, a new AI test reshapes how we define intelligence China’s brutal EV price war is crushing dealership profitability, with more than half now losing money. As automakers slash prices to compete, retailers are stuck selling cars at a loss just to keep up.56% of Chinese dealerships were unprofitable in 2025, up sharply from 42% the year before.A staggering 82% of dealers sold new cars below cost, pushing margins to a negative 26%.Financing and insurance profits also dropped after tighter lending regulations hit dealer income streams.The only bright spot: service and parts, with margins soaring to 81% as dealers pivot to survival mode.Outlook remains bleak, with just 23% of dealers expecting market growth in 2026. At Stellantis HQ, what you drive to work might determine where you park and whether you get a warning. The automaker is reinforcing brand loyalty with preferred parking… and some awkward consequences.Employees have reported getting tickets for parking non-Stellantis vehicles in preferred spots.Prime parking is reserved for company brands, with violators risking warnings, or even getting booted.The policy reflects a long-standing Detroit culture of encouraging employees to drive what they build.Confusion happens, one employee got ticketed for parking their Eagle Talon in the right spotAs one observer put it, there’s “strong motivation” to drive company cars, especially when the walk can be up to 30 minutes from the farthest lots A new AI benchmark just dropped: and it’s exposing a major gap between human intuition and machine intelligence. ARC-AGI-3 tests whether AI can learn on the fly. Spoiler: it can’t… at least not yet.Every major AI model scored under 1%, while humans solved everything on the first try without instructions.The test measures real adaptability—throwing AI into brand-new environments with zero training or prompts.Critics say the scoring system is stacked, but the bigger debate is shifting to how we measure intelligence at all.ARC’s creator argues current AI only works because humans build complex “scaffolding” around it. True AGI shouldn’t need that. Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they consistently say the right things, at the right time, on every call. 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

  3. 2D AGO

    20 BYD Dealerships In Canada, Afeela Canceled by Sony-Honda Mobility, FedEx Goes Same Day

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1302: BYD sprints into Canada with big retail plans amid tight EV quotas, Sony and Honda hit pause on Afeela as EV reality sets in, and FedEx jumps into the same-day delivery fight as Amazon raises the bar yet again. They’re here!!! Just months after Canada dramatically lowered tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, global EV giant BYD is targeting 20 branded dealerships in year one. BYD has hired Dealer Solutions Mergers & Acquisitions to help secure branded Canadian dealerships, with 3 potential sites identified in the Greater Toronto Area.After Toronto, BYD plans to expand into Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary, building a coast-to-coast footprint in Canada’s biggest metro markets.The move only became possible after Canada cut tariffs on Chinese-built EVs from 100% to 6.1%, though imports are capped at 49,000 units in year one.That cap could make things tricky. With multiple Chery also working to build a dealer network and total supply limited, 20 rooftops may be a lot of retail for a tightly rationed pipeline.BYD is aiming to win the race. As consultant Farid Ahmad put it: “They’ve asked us to help them find as many of the 20 that they possibly can, but they’re out there doing that themselves, as well.” Sony and Honda’s Afeela EV project has hit a wall. The partners are scrapping their first two North American models and reassessing the joint venture—another sign that shifting EV demand is forcing even bold bets back to the drawing board. Sony Honda Mobility is canceling both the Afeela 1 sedan and its planned crossover follow-up, despite production of the sedan already beginning in Ohio.The cancellations tie back to a broader Honda pullback, driven by U.S. tariffs, slowing EV demand, weak traction in Asia, and up to $15.8 billion in expected charges.Honda didn’t mince words, saying the partnership’s business assumptions were “fundamentally altered,” forcing both companies to rethink what comes next.The delivery wars are heating up fast. FedEx is teaming up with last-mile tech company OneRail to launch same-day shipping—just days after Amazon doubled down on ultra-fast delivery, raising the stakes for retailers trying to keep up with rising consumer expectations. FedEx’s new partnership with OneRail enables retailers to offer same-day delivery with options like two-hour windows and end-of-day service.OneRail brings massive scale to the table, covering 99% of the U.S. with a network of 1,000+ carriers and 12 million drivers.As OneRail CEO Bill Catania put it: “This is going to be priced extremely competitively… retailers [can] build a highly compelling value proposition to their customers.” Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they consistently say the right things, at the right time, on every 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

  4. 3D AGO

    GM Takes Next Autonomous Step, EV and Hybrid Searches Surge, Zoox Expands

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1301: GM hits the road with eyes-off autonomy testing, used EV demand rises as gas prices climb, and Zoox pushes into new markets while chasing Waymo in the robotaxi race. GM is putting its next big autonomy bet on the road. Starting this week, the automaker will test its hands-free, eyes-off Level 3 system on public highways as it races toward a 2028 launch. GM is deploying 200 test vehicles on highways in California and Michigan, each with a safety driver ready to take over.The system is slated to launch in 2028 on the Cadillac Escalade IQ, with plans to expand quickly to other EVs and eventually mainstream gas vehicles.GM says it has already mapped more than 1 million miles of roads in 34 states over the last six months to strengthen the system’s perception and planning.GM CFO Paul Jacobson said, “It will start a little bit slow because it’s only going to be on one model, but we want to make sure we get the integration work done and fully integrated into the vehicles, and you’ll see it expand pretty rapidly after that.”Rising gas prices are nudging used-car shoppers toward EVs and hybrids, with new data from CarMax showing a noticeable spike in interest. CarMax reports a 12.8% increase in searches for used EVs and hybrids in early March, signaling a shift tied to rising fuel costs.Used EV sales are gaining momentum, up 28.8% year-over-year in February, while inventory is tightening and days’ supply is dropping.Prices are becoming more competitive, with used EVs averaging $34,821—just $1,334 more than ICE vehicles, and cheaper across many brands.Cox Automotive’s Stephanie Valdez-Streaty said, “February underscored the EV market’s new reality…highlighting a market increasingly driven by affordability and demand alignment.”Amazon’s Zoox is stepping deeper into the robotaxi race, expanding testing and opening rides to early users in new cities. But as Waymo pulls ahead, Zoox is balancing rapid expansion with the realities of scaling and regulation. Zoox plans to launch early robotaxi access in Austin and Miami, starting with employees before opening a public waitlist through its Explorer program.The company’s purpose-built, steering wheel-free vehicles are already operating in Las Vegas and San Francisco, serving 350,000 riders to date.Zoox has yet to launch a paid robotaxi service, offering free rides so far as it builds scale, gathers data, and awaits regulatory approval to begin charging customers.The company is still awaiting federal approval to scale up to 2,500 vehicles for commercial use on public roads.CEO Aicha Evans said, “This is a long journey. It’s not like you wake up tomorrow and there’s going to be a million robotaxis everywhere.”Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they 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

  5. 4D AGO

    (EP 1300) EV Deals Are Hot, GM's Charging Chain, A Strong Retail Year?

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1300: EV bargains are stacking up as gas prices climb, GM patents a daisy-chain charger that could end the wait-time headache, and the NRF says retail is growing in 2026 but the spending power is concentrated at the top. Gas price anxiety is driving a spike in EV and hybrid searches, according to Edmunds and the timing couldn't be better. With manufacturer incentives replacing the expired federal tax credit, dealers are stacking deals that are turning heads and moving metal. One buyer in Orange County paid $23,991 for a 2026 Equinox EV with a $48,269 sticker, after GM contributed nearly $10,000 and the dealer added further discounts on top.Kia is offering up to $18,300 in lease support on the EV6, Toyota is cutting $5,000 off the bZ, and Hyundai has added $10,000 on top of already-reduced 2026 model-year pricing on vehicles like the Ioniq 5.Kevin Roberts, head of market intelligence at CarGurus, noted the inventory reality: "There's probably still too many new EVs out on lots as dealers try to rebalance things."Dealer Ryan Rohrman: "If it fits your lifestyle, it makes sense all day long just because of the rebates that are out there."Charging wait times are one of the biggest friction points in EV ownership, and GM may have found a clever hardware solution. A newly unearthed patent shows a system that could let one DC fast charger serve multiple vehicles simultaneously. GM's patent, surfaced by GM Authority, details a main DC fast charger connected to a series of low-power access points in a daisy chain, each capable of charging a separate EV at the same time.Each access point has three plugs: one connecting to the charger or previous unit in the chain, one for the vehicle, and one passing power to the next unit, with built-in controllers managing communication between the car and the main charger.With the most common public fast-charging speed sitting at 150 kW, a single 350 kW station running this system could theoretically serve two vehicles simultaneously at full standard speed.The National Retail Federation is projecting a strong retail year, and the underlying fundamentals back it up. The catch is that not all consumers are riding the same wave. NRF forecasts retail sales will grow 4.4% in 2026 to $5.6 trillion, outpacing the 10-year average annual growth rate of 3.6%.Tax refunds tied to the Working Families Tax Cut Act are expected to give consumer spending a modest boost in the first half of the year, with inflation projected to ease by Q3.Unemployment is expected to stay below 4.5%, and NRF noted that consumer sentiment has historically been disconnected from actual spending, meaning people often spend more than their mood suggests.Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they consistentl 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

  6. 6D AGO

    How MileOneCares Makes Supporting Their Communities A Recurring Event

    Shoot us a Text. Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the monthly and weekly events that MileOne holds for their communities with car seat distributions and teen driver courses. 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

  7. MAR 20

    John Bozzella Paints The Path For China to Bypass US OEMs

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1298: The Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella joins Paul and Kyle to discuss his automotive news op-ed that lays out the case for a recent Washington state piece of legislation that could pave the way for Chinese automakers to bypass the U.S. franchise system. In an Automotive News Op-Ed, John Bozzella argues that Washington state quietly handed EV-only manufacturers a direct-sales pass, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO says the real danger isn't Rivian or Lucid — it's who comes next.Washington now allows three EV-only manufacturers to sell directly to consumers, bypassing the franchised dealer system that protects the broader retail network.The Washington State Auto Dealers Association backed the law, believing it would lock in protections for franchised dealers by drawing the line after existing EV-only brands.The Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed the plan, arguing one set of rules should apply to all manufacturers regardless of powertrain or market entry date.The bigger concern: Chinese automakers with ambitions to enter the U.S. market now have a legal framework they could use to pursue a fourth, fifth, or sixth direct-sales exemption.Bozzella didn't mince words: "The competitiveness of the auto industry and the dealer franchise system will suffer if Chinese automakers are allowed to do in the U.S. what they're already doing around the world."This comes as the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, NADA, Autos Drive America, the American Automotive Policy Council, and MEMA, sent a joint letter to the Trump administration this week with a unified message: keep Chinese automakers out of the U.S. market, and don't let them build their way around the rules either.Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they consistently say the right things, at the right time, on every call. 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/

    16 min

  8. MAR 19

    Federal EV Fees Incoming?, $50B EV Hangover, Uber Bets Big on Rivian

    Shoot us a Text. Episode #1297: The EV world is getting hit from all sides — punishing fee proposals, $50 billion in industry write-downs, and a bold $1.25 billion Uber-Rivian robotaxi bet. A growing wave of state and federal EV fee proposals would charge electric vehicle owners two to three times what the average gas car driver pays in federal fuel tax. House Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves introduced a federal $200 annual EV fee — more than double the ~$95 average gas car driver pays in federal fuel tax each year.The fee is a flat charge with no connection to actual road usage, meaning a grandmother driving 3,000 miles pays the same as a daily commuter logging 25,000.36 states already impose EV fees that result in EV owners paying more than gas drivers contribute through fuel taxes, with Texas charging $400 upfront plus $200 annually.Automakers are unwinding EV bets at a combined cost approaching $50 billion, a stark reminder of how aggressively the industry moved, and how quickly the market shifted beneath them. Ford leads the charge with roughly $20.9 billion in EV-related write-downs through 2027, including the cancellation of the F-150 Lightning and a pair of three-row electric crossovers.Stellantis previewed €22 billion in charges — the largest single write-down — covering canceled vehicle programs, EV supply chain restructuring, and the end of a battery joint venture in Canada.GM and Honda round out the list, with GM topping $7 billion in 2025 EV charges and Honda projecting $1.9 billion by March — including winding down the Prologue and Acura ZDX programs.As iSeeCars analyst Karl Brauer put it, “There’s just been an overinvestment and, certainly, obviously too aggressive of a timeline”Uber is betting $1.25 billion on Rivian to power its next robotaxi push, with plans to deploy up to 50,000 autonomous R2s across 25 cities by 2031. The deal includes an initial $300 million investment and commitments to purchase 10,000 autonomous R2s, with options for 40,000 more starting in 2030.Rivian's R2 robotaxis will launch exclusively on Uber's platform, starting in San Francisco and Miami in 2028, then expanding across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.The deal follows Rivian's $5.8 billion Volkswagen software partnership and adds to Uber's growing roster of AV deals with Lucid, Zoox, Stellantis, and Nvidia.Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: "That vertical integration, combined with data from their growing consumer vehicle base and experience managing the complexities of commercial fleets, gives us conviction to set these ambitious but achievable targets."Today’s show is brought to you by HeyGreenlight. HeyGreenlight’s Wingman gives your sales and BDC team live, real-time guidance so they consistently say the right things, at the right time, on every call. 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
See All (1.3K)

Trailer

5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

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

Information

More From ASOTU Podcasts

You Might Also Like