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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 dealership
  • The 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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% increase
  • Honda’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 think

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 #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.

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Episode #1146: Automotive News's 100th anniversary Congress celebrated industry icons and looked towards the future, Elon Musk bets big on Tesla, shoppers get overwhelmed by too many choices (sound familiar?)

Show Notes with links:

• At its 100th anniversary Congress, Automotive News celebrated legacy while tackling the industry’s most pressing challenges—from EV adoption to geopolitical threats.
  • Centennial Awards went to GM’s Mary Barra and Hyundai’s Euisun Chung for transformational leadership.
  • Chung addressed the ICE worker raid, signaling cross-government cooperation: “I hope we can make together a better system for that.”
  • Barra emphasized EV commitment despite headwinds: “From an EV perspective, that is still our North Star.”
  • Industry insiders warned of China’s dominance—EV share grew from 6% to 50% in five years, while foreign brands lost half their market share.
  • Asbury CEO David Hult called fixed ops the “backbone” of the dealership, with aging vehicles and tech shifts fueling long-term growth saying he’s “really bullish on the next six to 10 years.”

• Tesla stock surged after CEO Elon Musk disclosed a nearly $1B stock buy, calming investor nerves amid political distractions and sagging EV demand.
  • Musk bought 2.57M shares on Friday, spending between $372 and $396 each.
  • Tesla shares jumped over 8% in premarket trading Monday, continuing a late-week rally.
  • Despite a 2% year-to-date dip, the stock is on pace for its third straight daily gain.
  • Investor concerns had grown over Musk’s political focus and waning EV demand.
  • Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm pushed back: “Elon is back front and center at the company.”

• A new survey reveals grocery shoppers are overwhelmed by too many choices—and many now treat food labels like vehicle window stickers.
  • 36% of Americans report “aisle anxiety,” triggered by too many options and crowded stores.
  • Shoppers spend an average of 4 minutes per item, with 71% trying to be more intentional.
  • Retailers like Trader Joe’s and Aldi combat “choice paralysis” by limiting SKUs per category.
  • Certifications matter: 40% research products for health, ethics, and sustainability—but many confuse terms like “natural” and “organic.”
  • “When consumers see a trusted certification, it’s like a shortcut to feeling good about their decision,” said Jamie Horst, Traditional Medicinals’ Chief Purpose Officer.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

2:45 Announcements: Upcoming Webinar

3:17 Automotive New 100th Anniversary Congress

6:12 Elon Musk Buys $1B of Tesla Stock

8:39 36% Of Americans Have "Aisle Anxiety"

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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On this Saturday, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the power of remembrance and how Carla Cosenzi and TommyCar Auto Group are connecting people in a meaninful way through the 17th Annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament.

• Founded in memory of Tom Cosenzi, the event supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the incredible work of Dr. Wen and his team.
• Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers showed up in full force to continue the mission of giving back.
• Carla Cosenzi on LinkedIn said “Dad, I hope you are proud of what has been built in your name… Together, we are making a difference.”

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 #1144: Dealers face rising cyber threats, Chevy launches big EV incentives, and the Goodyear Blimp marks 100 years over Detroit.

Show Notes with links:

• Proton Dealership IT’s Cybersecurity 2025 report shows auto retailers are still being hit hard by organized cyberattacks. Activity remains 150–250% higher than before mid-2024’s massive outage, with new tactics targeting dealership websites, employees, and customer data.
  • December 2024 saw a 110% year-over-year increase in dealership cyberattacks.
  • A March 2025 supply chain breach slipped malware into dealership website photos.
  • Criminals time attacks around holidays and off-hours, boosting ransom success.
  • Stolen passwords and remote access put payroll, banking, and OEM systems at risk.
  • Proton urges dealers to enforce MFA, deploy Managed Detection & Response, and train staff against phishing.
  • “Attacks are targeting dealerships every single day. How well those dealerships are protected makes a difference,” Proton warns.

• Chevrolet is going all-in on affordability this month with new incentives across its Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs—just in time before the federal EV tax credit dries up.
  • The Equinox EV, dubbed “America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV,” now leases for as low as $249/month.
  • Chevy is offering up to $3,000 in customer cash on the Equinox and up to $4,000 on the Silverado EV.
  • Costco members can save an additional $1,250 on top of existing offers.
  • Financing deals include 0% APR for 60 months or the $7,500 tax credit applied at the point of sale.
  • Senior Vice President and President, North America, Duncan Aldred: “We will almost certainly see a smaller EV market for a while, and we won’t overproduce. Still, we believe GM can continue to grow EV market share.”

• ​​If you spotted the Goodyear Blimp flying over Detroit this week, it wasn’t covering a touchdown or home run—it was celebrating a milestone.
  • The Goodyear Blimp “Wingfoot One” was in town for the 2025 Automotive News Congress in Detroit.
  • Goodyear and Automotive News are both celebrating their 100th anniversaries this year.
  • Rides were offered to Congress attendees from Willow Run Airport on Sept. 10. And on Sept. 11, the blimp soared over the city in honor of the industry event.

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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