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We're live from Friday morning at ASOTU CON.

Last night, we closed with a keynote that shared our stories of how we got into the industry, and encouraged the industry to go and be leaders in their stores and communities.

THANK YOU to everyone who came up to us and shared your story, and shared your hope for the future.

This industry is built different.

See you Monday!

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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Welcome to Day 2 at ASOTU CON!

Paul, Kyle and Michael recap Day 1 and talk about some of the things they've overheard on the show floor and on stages.

Day 2 is shaping up to be amazing! See you tomorrow!

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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Paul, Kyle and Michael hit the Content Corner to record a quick show before ASOTU CON 2025 kicks off officially. Follow all the action on social media!

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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Episode #1043: We’re coming to you live from ASOTU CON 25! Today we’re diving into Volkswagen and Uber’s plan to launch ID. Buzz robotaxis by 2026, TikTok’s surprising power in driving car sales, and what it all means for the future of mobility and marketing. 

Show Notes with links:

• Volkswagen and Uber are teaming up to bring self-driving ID. Buzz microbuses to U.S. streets. Testing starts this year, with full-scale deployment in Los Angeles by 2026.
  • The electric, retro-styled ID. Buzz will serve as the vehicle for Uber’s upcoming autonomous ride-hail service.
  • Human-supervised testing begins in 2025, with LA as the launch city and national rollout planned.
  • VW’s MOIA subsidiary will handle the autonomous tech and platform integration.
  • The deal aligns with VW’s push into urban mobility and Uber’s interest in expanding robotaxi options.
  • “Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility,” said VW’s Christian Senger.
• TikTok’s latest whitepaper dives deep into how the platform influences car buying decisions, debunking the myth that it’s just for dances and pranks. With affluent users and a cultural grip, TikTok is revving its engine as a legit force in automotive marketing.
  • TikTok drives 9.4% of all digital-driven inquiries despite a smaller ad spend.
  • Outperforms other digital channels with 90% higher ROI vs. online video and 12% better than other digital platforms.
  • Full-funnel campaigns see 14% more inquiries and 62% better efficiency with longer, balanced spends.
  • TikTok’s cultural influence makes or breaks brand equity, especially post-sale.
  • “A brand’s failure to fulfill its promises in this post-purchase phase can hurt brand equity seven times more than a positive encounter can benefit 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/

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Today Paul is the last man standing in the studio as the entire crew is on their way to ASOTU CON 2025. He sets the stage of what to expect over the next week and tells you how to be a part of the event even if you can't be there this year. 

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.

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 #1040: Today we’re diving into a transatlantic tariff feud shaking up the luxury auto sector, a multistate lawsuit over EV charging funds, and why VW’s nostalgic ID. Buzz just got benched. 

• A new U.S.–U.K. trade deal that dramatically lowers tariffs on British auto exports is saving jobs at Jaguar Land Rover—but not without blowback. American automakers say the agreement favors British imports over North American-made vehicles, threatening jobs and supply chains at home.
  • British auto exports to the U.S. will now face a 10% tariff—down from 27.5%—for up to 100,000 vehicles annually.
  • Jaguar Land Rover, with 32% of its global sales in the U.S., has resumed exports and praised the deal for bringing certainty to the sector.
  • The American Automotive Policy Council, representing GM, Ford, and Stellantis, condemned the deal, saying it undercuts USMCA-compliant vehicles made in Mexico or Canada.
  • “This hurts American automakers, suppliers, and auto workers,” the Council said, warning the U.K. terms could set a damaging precedent for future trade deals.
  • U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the deal at a JLR plant, calling the tariff cut “hugely important to me,” while JLR CEO Adrian Mardell “warmly welcomed” the agreement.
• California and 16 other states are taking the Trump administration to court aiming to reinstate $5 billion intended for EV charger expansion across the U.S. The states say the funding is critical for innovation, climate goals, and job growth.
  • The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s February directive to halt $5 billion in EV charger construction authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
  • States argue the move undermines efforts to reduce emissions and meet rising demand for clean transportation.
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the decision as “another Trump gift to China,” saying it kills U.S. jobs and innovation.
• Volkswagen’s nostalgia-fueled ID. Buzz is hitting a bump in the road. A pair of recalls—including one over a missing seatbelt in the back row—has sidelined sales of the electric van that was meant to channel the spirit of the 1960s.
  • VW is recalling about 5,600 ID. Buzz EVs because U.S. regulators say its third-row bench is wide enough for three passengers—but has only two seatbelts.
  • The fix? VW will install unpadded trim to reduce the perceived seat width and stay within safety rules.
  • A second recall involves the emergency brake warning light, which shows amber instead of the federally required red.
  • Dealers have been ordered not to sell any affected ID. Buzz units until the repairs are made.
  • “It really took the wind out of my bre

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/

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Episode #1039: Today we’re talking about Carvana's record-setting quarter and bold new goal, Ford’s strategic price hikes post-tariffs, and why Google’s stock took a beating after an Apple exec dropped a courtroom AI bomb.

Show Notes with links:

• Carvana has bounced back in a major way, setting a new quarterly record for used-vehicle sales and showcasing the company’s transformation from high-growth chaos to sustainable profitability, even amid looming tariff concerns.
  • Q1 retail sales hit 133,898 units, up 46% year over year—beating their prior record by 16,000 vehicles.
  • Net income reached $373M; revenue surged 38% to $4.2B.
  • Tariffs caused a temporary demand bump, but Carvana is now focused on adapting inventory to price-sensitive consumer behavior.
  • Carvana aims to sell 3 million vehicles annually within 5–10 years, targeting a 13.5% adjusted EBITDA margin by fully utilizing its existing infrastructure like ADESA megasites and inspection centers.
  • CEO Ernie Garcia emphasized flexibility: “We’ve got significant margin to work with… and significant cash balances.”

• As the auto industry adjusts to newly announced tariffs, Ford is selectively increasing prices on several 2025 models while shielding current dealer inventory.
  • Starting May 2, 2025 Mavericks, Bronco Sports, and Mach-Es (all produced in Mexico) will see MSRP increases of $600–$2,000, depending on trim and features.
  • Existing stock and vehicles already in transit will keep their original sticker prices.
  • Earlier this week, Ford withdrew its 2025 outlook, citing $1.5B in expected tariff-related earnings impact.
  • Ford is one of the first major automakers to publicly respond to the impact of the tariffs with pricing strategy.
  • “We can’t forecast what we can’t see,” said one executive privately

• In a courtroom twist, an Apple executive may have confirmed Google’s worst fear—that AI is starting to eat into its search dominance.
  • Eddy Cue, Apple’s services chief, testified that Safari searches dipped in April for the first time ever, likely due to users turning to AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
  • Cue expects Apple will eventually add AI search engines as user-selectable options in Safari.
  • The revelation came during Google’s antitrust trial, where Apple disclosed it receives over $20B annually to keep Google the default.
  • Google stock fell more than 7% following Cue’s testimony, wiping out tens of billions in market cap. They responded by saying “we continue to see overall query growth,” especially from Apple platforms.

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/

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Episode #1038: Today we’re talking about the expected surge in auto dealership M&A activity, Hyundai’s latest software update that simplifies EV charging across major networks, and Tanger’s decision to launch its back-to-school campaign early in response to ongoing tariff concerns.

Show Notes with links:

• Though Q1 saw a dip in dealership buy-sell activity, The Presidio Group sees the rest of 2025 heating up. With election season uncertainty in the rearview, dealers may be ready to get back to the negotiating table.
  • Q1 had 82 transactions involving 106 dealerships, down from 90 deals and 175 stores last year.
  • Election year uncertainty slowed activity, but momentum is now rebounding with Presidio saying the pipeline is “robust” and expecting strong summer/fall dealmaking.
  • Presidio President George Karolis said that tariffs are adding complexity, especially around brand valuation and sourcing strategies. However, many dealers are already looking past tariffs, and there are more buyers than sellers in the current market.
  • “Certainly, [tariffs have] come up. If anything, maybe we’re buying a little bit of time just to see what happens over the next 90 days before we finalize some transactions,” said Sonic Automotive President Jeff Dyke.

• Hyundai EV drivers just got a serious charging upgrade. With tighter app integration and support for plug-and-charge at Tesla Superchargers, the Ioniq lineup is catching up to the Tesla standard in user experience.
  • New software upgrades bring MyHyundai app support for Tesla, ChargePoint, EVGo, and Ionna.
  • Plug-and-charge is now available on Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9, and future EVs—just plug in and go.
  • App features include route planning, charger location, and direct in-app payments.
  • Older Hyundai EVs can access Superchargers with an adapter; however the Kona EV is not yet supported.
  • The upgrade aims to make EV charging “as easy as gassing up.”

• As tariffs loom large, outlet mall giant Tanger is speeding up its seasonal strategy. The company’s early back-to-school campaign kicks off June 1, tapping into consumer concerns over rising prices and potential supply shortfalls.
  • Tanger CEO Stephen Yalof says early shopping means better deals and availability.
  • This year’s campaign targets 10 million TangerClub members with urgent messaging and marks a pivot from last year’s late-July start.
  • Other retailers like Fashion Nova and Beis are also urging pre-tariff purchases.
  • “If they can make decisions early and shop early, then they can take advantage of getting the products they want at the price they want,” said Yalof.

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/

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Episode #1037: Today we break down Ford’s Q1 fallout as tariffs cast a $1.5B shadow, electrified vehicles surge to nearly 25% of new-car sales led by hybrids and non-Tesla EVs, and Waymo revs up its driverless ambitions with a new Arizona mega-factory and major city expansion plans.

Show Notes with links:

• Ford is bracing for a bumpy ride in 2025 after revealing a steep Q1 net income drop and pulling its full-year earnings forecast. Mounting tariff costs and factory downtime from SUV redesigns weighed heavily on the automaker’s performance, with more uncertainty ahead.
  • Net income fell 65% to $471M.
  • Ford expects 2025 tariffs to cut profits by $1.5B, despite $1B in planned offsets.
  • CFO says Q1 tariffs cost $200M, mitigated partly by bonded carrier routes through Canada.
  • Ford Pro earned $1.3B (down 56%); Model e lost $849M despite a 15% EV sales bump.
  • CEO Jim Farley: “We are strengthening our underlying business with significantly better quality and our third straight quarter of year-over-year cost improvement, excluding the impact of tariffs.”

• Electrified vehicles accounted for nearly one in four new-car sales in Q1 2025, as hybrids led the growth and Tesla's dominance continued to wane. Buyers are moving fast—whether driven by rebates, tariffs, or just better options.
  • EV sales hit 750,698 in Q1, up 29.6% YoY, with total electrified market share reaching 24.4%.
  • Hybrids surged 44.1%, capturing 13.3% of all new-car sales, thanks largely to Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Lexus, and Kia—who together own 97% of the segment.
  • Tesla’s BEV share dipped to 44.2%, while non-Tesla BEVs jumped 47%.
  • Florida EV sales rose 42.5%, while Texas surged 37.1%, outpacing growth in traditional EV strongholds.
  • “A significant part of it is due to automakers tapping into what drivers want. The 2025 lineup offers 71 unique models (up from 54 in 2025) with improved specs and options for every lifestyle." said Recurrent’s Liz Najman. 

• Waymo is transitioning from test phase to mass production, expanding its ride-hailing footprint while anchoring its future with a high-capacity, AV-focused factory in Arizona.
  • Waymo One now handles 250,000 weekly rides across Phoenix, LA, SF, and Austin with expansions into Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. planned in 2026
  • A 239,000-square-foot factory in Mesa, AZ will build thousands of autonomous Jaguars annually, in partnership with Magna.
  • The facility will feature a fully automated line and produce vehicles with Waymo’s latest sixth-gen Driver tech.
  • “The Waymo Driver integration plant in Mesa is the epicenter of our future growth plans,” said Ryan McNamara, Waymo’s VP of operations.

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/