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As we wind down another week, we’re talking about the meeting between President Trump and GM CEO Mary Barra at the White House discussing American manufacturing. Plus, we look at February market insights from Cars Commerce and see how far the pendulum has swung away from remote work.

Show Notes with links:

• President Donald Trump met with General Motors CEO Mary Barra at the White House to discuss the automaker's commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The meeting, which took place amid ongoing industry discussions about domestic investment and job creation, highlighted GM’s plans to expand its U.S. operations.
  • GM has signaled plans to invest $60 billion in U.S. manufacturing and production.
  • Trump and Barra discussed ways to enhance domestic auto production and bring more assembly jobs to the U.S.
  • The meeting follows recent discussions with Ford CEO Jim Farley and Stellantis Chairman John Elkann on industry-wide investments.
  • Automakers are seeking policy stability on tariffs and vehicle emissions before making major long-term commitments.
  • Trump praised GM's efforts and a GM spokesperson reaffirmed their support: “We share President Trump’s goals of a strong and competitive American manufacturing base.”

• The February 2025 Industry Insights Report by Cars Commerce highlights how potential tariffs are affecting car shoppers in the midst of slowing demand and rising new car inventory.
  • As tariff threats began, between February 16 and 22, searches on car-shopping website Cars.com jumped 9% from the previous week.
  • 52.1% of new inventory vehicles had their final assembly in the U.S. Meanwhile, 18.3% were assembled in Mexico, 4.0% were assembled in Canada, and 1.4% were assembled in China.
  • New car inventory is up 8% YoY, but trends split: Ford (+24%), Hyundai, Chevrolet, Kia and Honda expanded supply, while Dodge (-70%), Jeep, Lexus, RAM, and Volkswagen pulled back.
  • The used EV market is growing, with nearly 20 more models available YoY. Used Non-Tesla EV searches are up 25% YoY, while used Tesla searches have declined 8% YoY and 16% MoM

• Five years after the pandemic reshaped the workplace, remote work is steadily declining while hybrid and onsite arrangements gain ground.
  • In late 2020, 46% of workers were fully remote; today, that number has dropped to 26%.
  • Hybrid work has grown from 12% to 16%, but onsite work still dominates at 55%.
  • Companies are shifting back to in-person work, citing collaboration, culture, and productivity.
  • The future of work remains flexibility-driven, but traditional office setups are making a comeback.

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We’re only 10 episodes away from episode 1000 of this podcast, and today, we’re covering the JD Power 2025 US Customer Service Index Study. Plus, we’re looking at how the Trump administration is pushing back on emissions and fuel economy standards, and how Mr. Beast is profiting from something you might not expect.

Show Notes with links:

• For the second straight year, dealership service departments have earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Customer Service Index Study. 
  • The study, conducted on owners of 1- to 3-year-old vehicles, ranked brands on a 1,000-point scale across five categories: service quality, service advisor, vehicle pickup, service facility, and service initiation.
  • Luxury segment leaders: Porsche (912), Lexus (900), and Cadillac (888). Mass-market leaders: Subaru (896), Mini (888), and Honda (881).
  • A generational trust gap emerged, with Baby Boomers scoring trust in service providers at 6.24 on a 7-point scale, while Gen Z rated it at just 5.77.
  • 12% of issues were not fixed correctly on the first visit— and only half of those customers returned to the same dealership, while 5% went to aftermarket service providers.
  • EV service satisfaction lagged behind ICE vehicles, attributed to technician training gaps and inconsistent communication.
  • Satisfaction rose when recall services were bundled with maintenance, jumping from 829 to 858 points when paired with an oil change.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to reverse the Biden administration’s ambitious vehicle emissions rules, which would have forced automakers to ramp up electric vehicle production.
  • The EPA is reconsidering its 2024 emissions rules, which aimed to cut passenger vehicle tailpipe emissions by 50% by 2032—a regulation that had Ford’s support.
  • At the same time, the agency is reviewing a 2022 rule that reduced smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks, citing concerns that it makes trucks more expensive.
  • California’s plan to ban new gasoline-only vehicle sales by 2035 was sent to Congress for review, but the GAO ruled it cannot be repealed.

• MrBeast may be the most-subscribed YouTuber in the world, but his biggest business isn’t content—it’s chocolate. His snack brand Feastables made $251 million in sales and $20 million in profit last year, while his main media ventures lost nearly $80 million.
  • MrBeast’s high-budget videos—costing up to $4 million each—are hard to recoup with just YouTube revenue.
  • His commerce division, led by Feastables, is now the most profitable part of Beast Industries and is projected to triple in size by 2026.
  • The company has raised over $450 million in funding and is seeking another $200 million, pushing its valuation p

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Today, we’re talking about how the White House lawn became a Tesla dealership yesterday. Plus, we’re covering Ford’s investment into EV charging for its drivers and how Southwest is ending its longstanding free bag policy.

President Donald Trump, long an opponent of Joe Biden’s EV push, threw a political curveball on Tuesday by inspecting—and even considering purchasing—a Tesla at the White House. The moment was seen as an olive branch to Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump’s administration and a key player in the EV industry.

• Despite campaigning against Biden’s EV mandates, Trump praised Tesla’s technology and price points at the event.
• His appearance with Musk comes amid protests and boycotts of Tesla by liberal groups unhappy with Musk’s alignment with conservative policies.
• Tesla’s stock, which saw its worst day since 2020 on Monday, rebounded slightly after the event.
• While admiring Tesla’s tech, Trump drew the line at a new model lacking a steering wheel, saying, “I’m going to pass on that.”
• An eagle-eyed photographer at the event noticed that the President’s handwritten notes looked a lot like a sales pitch for Tesla, with phrases like “Teslas can be purchased as low as $299/month or $35K.”

Ford has officially delivered over 140K NACS adapters to its EV customers. This move grants Ford EV drivers access to Tesla’s vast Supercharger network, marking a major step toward simplifying public charging and expanding infrastructure options.

• The milestone follows Ford’s 2023 announcement to integrate Tesla’s Supercharger network into its ecosystem.
• Ford EVs now have access to over 20,000 Tesla Superchargers—up from 15,300 last year and Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network has  over 180,000 chargers at over 50,000 locations, making it North America’s largest public integrated charging network
• In February, Tesla Superchargers accounted for nearly 20% of Ford EV charging stops.
• Plus, Ford EV drivers using Apple CarPlay can now plan Tesla Supercharger stops directly in Apple Maps EV Routing, eliminating the need for a separate app.

Southwest Airlines is making a major shift, announcing that starting May 28, it will charge for checked bags—ending its long-standing “bags fly free” policy. The change aims to boost profitability but may alienate loyal travelers.

• Only Rapid Rewards A-list members and business fare passengers will still get free checked bags.
• CEO Bob Jordan framed the move as part of an effort to attract new customers and improve profitability.
•  Southwest has also announced plans to introduce assigned seating by 2025, revamp its fare structure, and expand its international routes to stay competitive.
• Southwest previously touted free checked bags as a key rea

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Today, struggling OEM Nissan has announced that current CEO Makoto Uchida will be replaced by Ivan Espinosa, their latest attempt to jumpstart a turnaround. Plus, chaos at a Carmax dealership as a customer rammed their vehicle into the building and China is making AI education mandatory, even for elementary school children.

Show Notes with links:

• Nissan has appointed Ivan Espinosa as its new CEO, tasking him with accelerating the company’s turnaround after years of turmoil. He takes over from Makoto Uchida, who struggled to win full support internally and is stepping down after five years at the helm.
  • Uchida’s leadership saw mixed success, with progress on restructuring but falling short on sales targets and failed Honda merger talks.
  • Espinosa, 46, was selected at a March 11 board meeting and will assume the role on April 1.
  • A product-driven executive, Espinosa has been serving as Chief Planning Officer, overseeing Nissan’s global product strategy and helping shape its EV and performance vehicle direction. 
  • Nissan faces mounting losses, weak sales, and a junk credit rating, with a significant debt load maturing next year.
  • Espinosa says he will take a “360-degree look” at the company, emphasizing stability, growth, and strengthening the North American lineup.
  • Nissan Chairman Yasushi Kimura admitted, “It would be a very challenging start for Ivan.”

• A routine vehicle appraisal turned into chaos at a CarMax dealership in Inglewood, California, when an angry customer drove his Subaru Outback through the showroom, injuring eight people after being upset with his offer.
  • The incident occurred this past Saturday at 2 p.m., with the driver ramming into the store twice before fleeing the scene.
  • Two people were critically injured, while six others sustained minor injuries, including two CarMax employees.
  • 25-year-old Andrew Arroyo, reportedly on probation for a “wet reckless” charge, later turned himself in at the LAPD Academy.
  • A video of the event has surfaced on TikTok and is being used in the police investigation.
  • Witness Mitchell Marshall described the scene: “He backed up, made a big U-turn, and rammed it not once, but twice.”
  • CarMax issued a statement, confirming their employees were among the injured and thanking authorities for their swift response.

• Beijing is making artificial intelligence education compulsory for students of all ages, including elementary schoolers.
  • Starting this fall, schools must provide at least eight hours of AI instruction per year, either as a stand-alone subject or integrated into existing courses.
  • Elementary students will get hands-on AI lessons, while middle and high schoolers will focus on AI applications and innovation.
  • The initiative ai

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We’ve got good news this Monday as the latest numbers show that dealership count and throughput are up, with stores averaging 511 new cars sold per year. Plus, we cover a quick turnaround for a vandalized Tesla charger and how United is upping its Wi-Fi game with Starlink internet.

Show Notes with links:

• The U.S. new-car dealership count rose nearly 1% to 18,311 as of Jan. 1, 2025, up 171 from a year earlier, while the total franchise count fell 1.3% to 29,829, according to the latest Automotive News dealer census.
  • Detroit 3 automakers shed dealerships, while import brands added stores with Ford Motor Co. leading the decline among the Detroit 3, losing 68 stores (a 2.2% drop). General Motors and Stellantis also reduced their dealership networks by 0.6%.
  • Buick, Lincoln, and Jaguar continued trimming their franchise counts, with Buick experiencing the most significant reduction—down 135 to 927. Buick's franchise count has dropped by over half in the past two years due to dealer buyout offers.
  • The number of exclusive dealerships across the industry as of Jan. 1 increased 3.5 percent to 13,226 from Jan. 1, 2024.
  • The industry’s average throughput (new-vehicle sales per franchise) increased by 5.8% to 511 vehicles in 2024, with the growth attributed to fewer franchises and an increase in U.S. light-vehicle sales to 15.35 million units, up from 14.9 million in 2023, according to Mary Raetz,director of the Automotive News Research & Data Center.

• Tesla swiftly repaired a vandalized Supercharger site in Massachusetts, bringing it back online in under 48 hours. 
  • The fire occurred overnight on March 2, 2025, causing wiring and Supercharger post damage, but the main cabinet remained intact.
  • Tesla immediately communicated with customers on X (formerly Twitter), promising repairs within two days.
  • Tesla is considering enhancing its Sentry Mode to deter future vandalism, potentially adding a honking feature.
  • An arson investigation is underway with local police, though no suspects have been identified and the company is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the arsonists.

• United Airlines has installed its first Starlink system on a regional aircraft, bringing the airline closer to offering free, high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet.
  • The Starlink system offers free Wi-Fi to MileagePlus members, with speeds up to 250 Mbps—50 times faster than current in-flight internet.
  • Installation is significantly quicker, taking just 8 hours compared to traditional Wi-Fi systems, which require over 10 days.
  • The lighter Starlink equipment (85 pounds vs. up to 300 pounds) improves fuel efficiency and reduces aircraft downtime.
  • United plans to install Starlink on over 40 planes per month, aiming to cover its entire regiona

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Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle today to discuss EV charging, Waffle Houses and plugging in extension cords into random outlets. Then, they talk about the Power of Love Gala, dealership owner Nick Dossa stepped up in a big way—donating not one, but two 2024 Lotus Emiras to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Plus Sylvester Stallone offered an exclusive VIP on-set experience for his hit show "Tulsa King," plus signed bottles of his Carbonadi vodka.

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As we wind down another week, we’re talking about how NADA and Mike Stanton are winding up their opposition of Scout Motors direct-to-consumer plans. Plus, we’re looking at a report that says that EV charging isn’t such a cost-effective alternative to gas, and how Shake Shack is introducing its first ever value meal.

Show Notes with links:

• The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has escalated its opposition to Scout Motors’ direct-to-consumer sales model, sending a strongly worded letter to Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume and other top executives.
  • In the letter, NADA CEO Mike Stanton argued that the franchise model would give Scout Motors immediate marketplace traction through a network of experienced dealers.
  • The direct sales plan, which establishes Scout-branded experience centers, is set to launch in 2027 with the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup.
  • The letter also highlighted the potential fallout of Scout’s strategy, including prolonged legal battles across multiple states and a strained relationship with VW, Audi, and Porsche dealers.
  • Stanton expressed disappointment over a lack of response to a previous letter sent in July 2023, noting that this latest message seeks a direct meeting with VW leadership.
  • “The decision to directly distribute Scout in the United States and compete with your dedicated dealer body is misguided, violates well-established state franchise laws, and is one that I strongly encourage you to revisit.” — NADA CEO Mike Stanton

• EV adoption has been touted as a cost-effective alternative to gasoline, but rising electricity costs in several states are challenging that narrative. While EVs remain cheaper to operate in some regions, escalating residential and public charging rates are narrowing the gap.
  • Charging an EV at home in Massachusetts is 116% the cost of fueling an efficient gas car, while New York and California cost 92% and 90% respectively.
  • Washington and Florida remain the most economical for EV driving, with electricity costs at 38% and 54% of gasoline costs.
  • Public fast charging costs have surpassed gasoline in some areas, diminishing the financial incentive to switch to EVs.
  • Homeowners with access to off-peak EV-specific electricity rates or home solar and battery storage can still find savings, but this requires an upfront investment.
• Shake Shack, known as the most expensive fast-food chain in America last year, has launched its first-ever budget-friendly combo meal to appeal to price-conscious consumers.
  • The $9.99 combo includes a Chicken Shack sandwich, crinkle-cut fries, and a small soda. Buying the items separately would cost around $8 more.
  • The deal is part of a broader trend in the fast-food industry, with competitors like McDonald

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The auto industry breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as it was announced that they will be exempt from the 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. Plus, we’re looking at the cars that hold their value the best, and Google’s push towards AI search.

Show Notes with links:

• The auto industry is temporarily relieved by a one-month exemption from the 25% tariffs on vehicles covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). President Trump granted the reprieve following requests from Ford, GM, and Stellantis, with the ultimate goal of shifting production to the U.S.
  • The automotive provisions of the USMCA require that 75% of a vehicle's components be made in North America (up from 62.5% under NAFTA) to qualify for zero tariffs, and mandate that 40-45% of auto parts be made by workers earning at least $16 per hour, aiming to boost North American production and labor standards.
  • Most automotive manufacturers comply with USMCA standards and The American Automotive Policy Council and automakers expressed gratitude for the temporary exemption.
  • Suppliers remain concerned about long-term impacts, despite positive signs for USMCA-compliant parts.
  • Dealers and industry experts view the exemption as part of a broader strategy to encourage domestic manufacturing, but uncertainty persists.
  • “The damage has already been done. For an industry that operates in three- to five-year product cycles, this level of day-to-day uncertainty is debilitating.” — Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of MichAuto.

• Last week we covered the cars with the most depreciation, and now, Kelley Blue Book has announced its annual Best Resale Value Awards, highlighting the top performers of 2025.
  • The top 10 vehicles are projected to retain an average of 58% of their original MSRP, compared to the market average of 44.6%.
  • Toyota dominates the list, securing four of the top ten spots, including the #1 2025 Toyota Tacoma with a projected 64.1% resale value.
  • The full top 10 list includes the 2025 Toyota GR Supra (53.7%), 2025 Porsche 911 (53.8%), 2025 Toyota RAV4 (53.9%), 2025 Honda CR-V (54.4%), 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (56.6%), 2025 Ford Bronco (57.0%), 2025 Toyota 4Runner (60.0%), 2025 Toyota Tundra (60.9%), 2025 Chevrolet Corvette (61.0%), and 2025 Toyota Tacoma (64.1%).

• Google is accelerating its AI integration into search with a new feature called AI Mode, adding a chatbot-like experience directly to the core of Google Search.
  • AI Mode, currently in testing, is only available to Google One AI Premium subscribers and must be enabled in the Labs section of Search.
  • The feature offers a search-centric chatbot experience, delivering AI-generated answers directly from Google’s search index with supporting links throughout.
  • AI Mode uses the Gemini 2.0 model, aiming to improve Google's ability to handle more advanced queries while providing real-time data and web

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Today, we’re bringing you the latest information on how tariffs could affect the auto industry, including the Commerce Secretary hinting that President Trump could exempt the auto industry. Plus, we’re covering how Honda is bringing Civic production back to Indiana, and Paul and Kyle’s wild adventures this weekend.

Show Notes with links:

• In a primetime address to Congress, former President Donald Trump defended his sweeping tariffs, acknowledging a potential "adjustment period" but emphasizing the tariffs' role in boosting the U.S. economy. 
  • As many as 20,000 vehicles per day could be cut from North American production due to parts shortages and high costs.
  • Parts stockpiles could run out within a week, even after companies moved as many parts as possible across the border ahead of the tariff deadline, according to Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility.
  • Many suppliers cannot absorb added costs and may push automakers to cover tariffs, potentially halting parts supply.
  • Tariffs on steel and aluminum will increase to 25% on March 12, with further auto import tariffs possibly starting April 2.
  • If tariffs persist, North American vehicle sales could drop 10%, and smaller suppliers might need financial assistance to survive.
  • In an interview with Bloomberg this morning, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that President Donald Trump may exclude certain sectors, including autos, from the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The decision could favor industries that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) content provisions.
    • “My understanding is the Big Three say they produce cars that are compliant under USMCA, which means they have sufficient U.S content in them to be part of the USMCA agreement,”

• The White House celebrated a "Monday morning win" as Honda announced plans to move production of its Civic model from Mexico to Indiana, beginning in May 2028. The move was touted as part of "the Trump effect." 
  • The Indiana plant is expected to produce about 210,000 Civics annually.
  • Honda did not confirm the change directly, instead emphasizing its ability to adjust production based on customer needs and market conditions, and highlighting its history of building the Civic in Indiana since 2008.
  • Trump supporters, including economist Stephen Moore and Senator Jim Banks, praised the move as a sign that tariffs are driving "made-in-America" job growth.
  • Senator Jim Banks stated, "President Trump has taken the ‘kick me’ sign off the backs of our workers and manufacturers. This report is great news for Hoosiers and all Americans — and it’s only just the beginning."

• Paul and Kyle made some trouble this past weekend, with Paul buying an EV and learning some valuable lessons about the state of charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Kyle spent some time in NYC and visited a 3 Michelin Star restaurant. 

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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Today is our fearless leader Paul J Daly’s birthday! So we gave him the morning off and tapped in producer Nathan Southwick. We’re talking all about the new Canada and Mexico tariffs that put pressure on the automotive supply chains, plus the top depreciating cars and how Google is pushing to achieve artificial general intelligence.

Show Notes with links:

• The U.S. has enacted 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, throwing the highly integrated North American production network into turmoil.
  • The tariffs, effective today, March 4, apply to all imports except Canadian energy products, which face a lower 10% duty. Canada and Mexico both responded with their own tariffs.
  • Industry experts predict vehicle prices could rise between $4,000 and $10,000, with Ford CEO Jim Farley cautioning that prolonged tariffs could "blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we have never seen."
  • Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association said that there is potential for U.S. and Canadian auto production to revert to "2020 pandemic-level idling and temporary layoffs within the week.”
  • Key auto models at risk include the Toyota RAV4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer, and the Honda Civic and CR-V, while European automakers with manufacturing in Mexico, including Volkswagen, Stellantis, and BMW, saw their stocks drop sharply
  • The STOXX Europe 600 Automobiles and Parts index fell 3.8% and Continental AG, a major supplier, saw an 8.4% drop in shares.

• Used Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles saw the steepest depreciation of any cars in 2024, according to Fast Company’s analysis of CarGurus data.
  • Model Y prices dropped 25.5%, while Model 3 prices fell 25% from January 2024 to January 2025.
  • Comparatively, the Nissan Maxima only dropped 5.2%, and the Ford Mustang declined 5%.
  • Full Top 10: Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Land Rover Range Rover, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Chevrolet Express Cargo, Ford Transit Connect, RAM ProMaster, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Chevrolet Bolt EV, and Ford Expedition, all with over 19% depreciation

• Google co-founder Sergey Brin is back and pushing Google DeepMind (GDM) teams to accelerate their progress toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). In a newly released memo, Brin outlines the urgency and expectations for Google’s AI teams.
  • Brin emphasizes the need for 60-hour work weeks, daily office attendance, and faster execution by prioritizing simple solutions, code efficiency, and small-scale experiments for faster iteration.
  • He calls for a shift away from “nanny products” and urges teams to “trust our users” more.
  • Brin, who has no formal role at Google beyond a board seat, stepped in o

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