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Episode #1013: We cover the impact of upcoming tariffs on auto repair and insurance costs, seasonal shifts in EV range, and a new Pew survey revealing a major divide between AI experts and public opinion.

Show Notes with links:

• Auto repair bills are on the verge of a sharp climb, and the clock is ticking. A 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts, recently enacted by President Trump, officially takes effect May 3 — and it could add hundreds to even routine repair jobs.
  • Roughly 44% of OEM parts are imported, many from Taiwan and other countries not exempt under USMCA, according to Cox Automotive.
  • Experts say a standard brake job could jump $150–$200 per axle as parts hit with tariffs filter into the supply chain.
  • Many shops have just 4-6 weeks of parts inventory and dealerships like LaFontaine Auto are proactively contacting customers who previously declined service to lock in current prices before the May 3 deadline.
  • Insurance premiums may increase later in 2025 as claims costs go up, though experts say stolen vehicle rates and personal injury remain the bigger drivers.
  • “Go get it done today because we could be having some different conversations in a couple of weeks,” said Skyler Chadwick, director of product consulting at Cox Automotive.

• If you're planning a road trip in an electric vehicle, do it in July or August. A new report from Vaisala Xweather shows those are the best months for EV range across the U.S., with average distances peaking at 267 miles.
  • From June to September 2024, average EV range topped 250 miles in all 48 contiguous states and D.C.
  • In contrast, January 2025 saw every state fall below the 250-mile median, with North Dakota at the bottom with 171 miles.
  • Factors like air density, cabin heating, wind, and snow contribute to winter range dips.

• A sweeping new Pew survey highlights a major disconnect between AI experts and the general public. While most experts see AI as a personal and societal benefit, the average American is more worried than excited — and trust is in short supply.
  • 76% of AI experts believe AI will benefit them personally, while just 24% of the public feels the same.
  • Only 11% of Americans are more excited than concerned about daily AI use; 51% are more concerned than excited.
  • Both groups agree: the government can’t be trusted to regulate AI effectively.
  • 83% of Americans say AI won’t make them more productive, and 94% say it won’t make them happier.
  • I asked ChatGPT what it thought of this article: “The gap between how experts and everyday people view AI isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about experience. I can process data and generate insights, but I don’t live in a world where AI decisions impact my job, privacy, or sense of a

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.

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