Automotive State of The Union

By More Than Cars Media Network

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... more

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FAQs about Automotive State of The Union:

How many episodes does Automotive State of The Union have?

The podcast currently has 1,462 episodes available.

Automotive State of The Union episodes:

November 18, 2023 Who Doesn't Love A Free Car? Especially When Its For A Veteran!
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On this pre-Thanksgiving Saturday, Paul and Kyle are joined by ASOTU writers Chris and Kristi.For our More Than Cars moment today, we're covering a partnership between MileOne Autogroup and Vehicles for Change. They came together this Veteran's Day to give away 10 cars to veterans!

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/
...more
12min
November 17, 2023Fain’s Last Dance, Hyundai <3 Amazon, Chick-Fil-A in the Sky
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We’re wrapping up a busy week of news with a busy day of news as we give the details on GM’s slim ratification of the UAW contract. We also talk about the first vehicles to be sold on Amazon, as well as chicken sandwiches and waffle fries from the skies.Show Notes with links:
We’ve made it! GM has officially ratified the contract with the UAW, approving the deal by a 55 to 45 margin, nearly 3,300 votes out of over 35,000 cast.
Strong support from workers at GM Components Holding plants, parts distribution centers, and electric vehicle battery plants, with some groups showing as high as 96% approval. The deal includes immediate raises for many of these workers, with increases up to 89% for some, and a uniform wage scale across different plant types.
53% of higher paid assembly workers voted against it
Cornell labor relations expert Art Wheaton, noted that the tight final vote is actually a good thing stating, “It’s the sign of a good negotiation. If they got a 99 percent vote, that means GM overspent. If they got 49 percent, that means GM was too cheap. If you’re at more than 50 percent, it means you threaded the needle.”
In a move many have been predicting, Hyundai and Amazon revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show that starting in 2024, Hyundai will be the first automaker to sell new cars on Amazon's platform.
The initiative allows customers to purchase new Hyundai cars online from a Dealer, offering options for local dealership pickup or home delivery.
The partnership extends to technology integration, with Hyundai incorporating Amazon’s Alexa technology into their vehicles from 2025.
The partnership extends to technology integration, with Hyundai incorporating Amazon’s Alexa technology into their vehicles from 2025 with Amazon saying they will be adding other brands to the platform by the end of next year
Brian Kramer quoting David Spisak on LI “Most disruptors don’t sneak up on competitors. They are allowed to walk right in through the front door.”
Chicken sandwiches and waffle fries are falling from the skies as drone delivery of your Chick-Fil-A order might qualify for drone delivery in Brandon, Florida
The drone delivery is available Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, offering a $0 delivery fee for a limited time. The service is subject to availability and delivery distance limitations.
The process involves careful preparation of orders, special, secure packaging, and advanced drone navigation to ensure safe and accurate deliveries.
Chick-fil-A, in a statement to USA Today, highlighted their commitment to innovation: "At Chick-fil-A, we continually look for inventive strategies to enhance the customer experience. The drone delivery trial is part of our ongoing efforts to explore new modes of delivery to meet our customers' needs more efficiently and conveniently."

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/
...more
13min
November 16, 2023Second To Last, It’s All Hybrid From Here, Are The Corporations AI Ready
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One week from today we’ll be eating Turkey and helping our great aunt update her iphone once she remembers her password. But for now, we’re much closer to the ratification of the UAW Contract. We also talk about Toyota going all hybrid on the Camry, as well as assessing the level of AI readiness of US companies.

Announcements:
Edge Webinar with Invoca TODAY at 2pm EST: Revolutionizing Phone Call Management
More Than Cars: Episodes 1-3 Mashup Premiere on Tuesday, November 21 at 7PM ET. Join the event on LinkedIn
ASOTU CON will be May 14-17, 2024 (Tuesday-Friday) at the Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
Show Notes with links:
This may be the second to last story you hear from us about the UAW strike as they appear to be nearing the approval of all contract agreements with the Detroit 3. Despite initial opposition at several General Motors assembly plants, the agreements are leaning towards acceptance, marking a significant shift in labor relations within the industry.
Toyota, in a significant strategic shift, announced that the next-generation Camry will be sold exclusively as a hybrid. This move reflects Toyota's adapting to evolving market trends, and consumer preferences for more environmentally friendly vehicles.
A recent Cisco survey, named "Cisco’s AI Readiness Index," gathered responses from over 8000 business leaders in companies with more than 500 employees across 30 different markets. It found that while 97% of respondents felt an urgent need to implement AI, only 14% felt fully prepared for the transition.

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:40) Edge Webinar w/ Invoca

(00:03:22) More than Cars Family & Friends Episodes Mashups

(00:05:29) UAW nearing Contract Agreements

(00:08:05) 2024 Toyota Camry released in Hybrid only

(00:10:32) Cisco’s AI Readiness Index

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/
...more
16min
November 15, 2023Learning from Europe with Paul De Vries
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It’s Wednesday and it seems conference season is coming to a close. This morning is a bit of a special episode as Paul got to chat with Paul de Vries, who has a unique perspective on the auto industry coming from Europe.

Show Notes with links:
Paul De Vries gives us some insights into the shift to agency models in Europe and how the Dutch market is navigating the shift to EVs.
Dutch dealerships are struggling with the agency model, leading to dropping sales and mistakes in invoicing.
OEMs are reframing dealer models as agency models to gain benefits, despite dealers' resistance.
Dutch dealers investing in solar panels, energy contracts, and selling extra services like energy storage and charging.

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/
...more
11min
November 14, 2023Workers Winning, Dirty Come Clean, Is Google Apple’s Sugar Daddy
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It’s an amazing Tuesday to be in the car business as we talk about some favorable effects from the UAW strike for workers at other OEMs. We also cover Exxon’s transition into lithium production, as well as a little slip from a Google employee during the trial.

We’re starting today with two labor related stories…
The first is Stellantis has announced voluntary buyout packages for 6,400 U.S. salaried employees, citing challenging market conditions. This move aligns with the company's transition to EVs and its Dare Forward 2030 strategy
In a statement the company said: "As we prepare for the transition to electric vehicles, Stellantis announced today that it will offer a voluntary separation package to assist those non-represented employees who would like to separate or retire from the company to pursue other interests with a favorable package of benefits,"
The decision coincides with UAW members voting on a labor agreement that includes double-digit raises and $19 billion in manufacturing investments.
Hyundai Motor has announced a 25% wage increase for nonunion production workers at its Alabama factory by 2028, following similar moves by Toyota and Honda.
Honda also recently announced an 11% pay hike for U.S. production workers, influenced by UAW negotiations.
Exxon is aiming to be a leading producer of lithium production by the year 2030 as they announced their plan to start lithium production in the U.S. by 2027, and producing batteries for one million EVs annually
Exxon aims to produce lithium from briny waters in Arkansas, using conventional drilling and direct lithium extraction technology.
"In the long term, lithium really is a global opportunity," said Dan Ammann, president of Exxon's Low Carbon business unit. "We are starting here because there is an urgent need to ramp up domestic production of these critical materials."
Fun fact: Exxon actually invented the rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the 70s yet has no plans to invest in EV charging stations like its rivals BP and Shell.
Just when you thought Apple and Google were just good friends, it was revealed in Google’s antitrust trial that they pay 36% of all ad revenue from Safari to Apple.
This figure was revealed in Google's antitrust trial, where it was disclosed that Google spent $26.3 billion in 2021 to be Safari's default search engine, with $18 billion going to Apple.
According to Bloomberg, Google lawyer John Schmidtlein “visibly cringed when Murphy said the number.”

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/
...more
11min
November 13, 2023UAW Updates Not Over, EVs Like Phones, Flying Ain’t Fancy Anymore
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We are coming to you from sunny Palm Beach Florida at The Pasch Group’s Modern Retailing Conference. The day brings news of the UAW votes not going perfectly so far, Foxconn asserting EVs that could be easier to make if they are made like phones, and airlines getting some brutal feedback on the frontlines.

Show Notes with links:In a potential turn of events, Ford's Kentucky production workers voted against a proposed UAW contract while skilled trade workers voted for it, highlighting divisions within the workforce.
55% of Ford's Kentucky production workers voted against the tentative UAW contract, while 69% of skilled trades workers approved it, as reported by UAW Local 862.
The vote casts doubt on the contract's ratification, previously expected to increase Ford's operational costs significantly as the union has not released the final, combined percentage of the vote
So far, 71% of workers across Ford's facilities have voted for the UAW deal, but votes at key plants like Michigan's Dearborn Truck plant are pending.
Foxconn, known for iPhone manufacturing, is aiming to reshape EV manufacturing. Led by Jack Cheng, a Foxconn affiliate is working to implement an outsourcing model similar to that used for products like iPhones, potentially lowering EV production costs and impacting the global EV market.
Cheng's strategy involves outsourcing EV production to reduce costs, contrasting with traditional automakers' preference for in-house design and assembly.
Foxconn's expansion in the EV sector includes collaborations with Tesla and significant investments in Asia and the U.S.
They already have facilities across Asia, India, and started to produce vehicles for Lordstown Motors in an Ohio plant before the company went bankrupt.
Cheng points out the disparity between the price of an EV in China and the US and proposes he can help bridge the gap
“The world is wasting too much time tooling the same parts and losing money. It doesn’t make sense. What I learned in China in the last 20 years—I can replicate that.”
It seems flying isn’t getting more delightful. Complaints against airlines in the U.S. have surged to 24,965 in the first three months of 2023, with a notable increase in issues related to accessibility.
In the first quarter of 2023, airline complaints in the U.S. rose by 88% compared to the same period in 2022.
Complaints continued to increase in April and May, with a 32% and 49% rise, respectively.
Disability-related complaints, such as problems with wheelchairs, nearly doubled to 636.
The Department of Transportation is investigating several airlines for announcing unfeasible flight schedules and may impose fines.

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/
...more
16min
November 11, 2023 A Walmart Full of Coats... And What This Dealer Did With Them
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Welcome to Saturday! Guest Hosts Jordan Cox and Nathan Southwick are giving Paul and Kyle a break.Head Writer Chris Reeves today presents us the story of how the Ciocca Auto Group have been giving back coats to the kids in their community for years, and what they did 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/
...more
10min
November 10, 2023Live from Used Car Week with Steve Greenfield and NAVIcon Winner Jimmy Douglas of Plug
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We’ve got that Friday feeling as we recap Used Car Week with Steve Greenfield. Plus we host the winner of the NAVIcon Cup, Jimmy Douglas of Plug.

Plug won the 3rd Annual NAVIcon Cup, pitching against other tech startups to a panel of industry leading judges, including ASOTU’s own Kyle Mountsier.

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/
...more
14min
November 09, 2023Honda’s Earnings Bump, The Reign of Fain, Sky High Demon
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We’re live from Used Car Week 2023 in Phoenix as we gear up for another day of talking with Dealers and Kyle is getting ready to be one of the guest judges for the Navicon competition. Today we talk about Honda’s latest earnings report. We also check in on the airtag we snuck in Shawn Fain’s Wranglers, as well as the biggest bump sticker we’ve ever seen.

Honda Motor Co. is raising its full-year earnings forecast due to strong U.S. sales, a stable supply of semiconductors, and favorable foreign exchange rates, despite a slight softening in U.S. demand and lowered vehicle sales targets.
Honda's Q2 profit rose by 31% due to higher vehicle sales and improved pricing.
Stable semiconductor supply boosts production; no current supply issues reported.
Honda to sell 25,000 fewer vehicles in North America than anticipated for the fiscal year ending March 2024.
Operating profit jumped to 302.1 billion yen, with revenue up 17% and global sales increasing by 6.5%.
Lowered full fiscal year unit-sales forecast due to weak demand in China, but an 11% increase over the previous year is still expected.
Honda's North American deliveries surged by 40 percent to 385,000 vehicles, significantly contributing to the company's quarterly growth.
Just when we thought it was over, UAW President Shawn Fain announced an aggressive push to organize non-union U.S. auto plants, leveraging new contracts with Detroit automakers and highlighting Toyota's recent wage hikes as a response to union efforts.
After the UAW agreements with the Big 3, Toyota subsequently added a 9% wage increase and shortened timelines to top pay.
"When we return to the bargaining table in 2028, it won’t just be with the Big Three, but with the Big Five or Big Six," Fain said.
"We're going to pull out all stops. We're going to leverage every avenue we can and we're going to find creative ways to get to workers," Fain said. "We're going to employ everything we can to support workers and give them what they need."
If you thought a $10,000 market adjustment bump during COVID was high, A Dodge dealership in Maryland, DARCARS, has set a staggering asking price of $386,321 for the limited edition Challenger Demon 170, which is significantly over its MSRP of $96,666.
The window sticker add ons read:
DARCARS Assurance 2,495 - Dealer Processing Fee $500 - Wheel Locks $195 - Adjusted Market Price - $250,000
The company only produced 3,300 of the vehicle contributing to the specific appeal to some buyers
“You can get a base model for $32,465, and a 1,025 horsepower Hellephant crate motor for a smidge over 27 grand. Just build your own for sixty grand! says Jalopnik

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/
...more
12min
November 08, 2023Biden and Fain Date, AM Radio or Bust, GROK In Your Friend’s Tesla
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Welcome to Wednesday as we’re wheels up for Used Car Week, but first we’re talking about Joe Biden’s upcoming visit with Shawn Fein. We also talk about the ongoing battle over whether to keep AM radio in cars or not. Finally, we’ll visit with our new friend GROK again. Joe Biden is set to meet with UAW President Shawn Fain on Thursday to discuss Stellantis' reopening of an Illinois assembly plant in a show of commitment to U.S. manufacturing and job creation
Biden had weighed in during the strike in favor of the union and called Fain after the contract was reached
Stellantis plans a $3.2 billion investment in a new battery plant and a $1.5 billion investment in a mid-size truck factory in Illinois.
The investments are part of a labor agreement adding 5,000 U.S. jobs by 2028, pending ratification.
President Biden lauded the labor agreements, emphasizing their significance in strengthening the U.S. auto industry and expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Fain has yet to endorse Biden in his 2024 reelection bid
A report from the Center for Automotive Research outlines the potential cost to automakers of maintaining AM radio functionality in electric vehicles due to electromagnetic interference, and it's A LOT.
Costs to mitigate interference with AM radio in EVs could total as much as $3.8 billion by 2030.
Technical solutions like shielding and filtering add costs and may affect vehicle weight and battery range and could add up to $70 in cost to every vehicle
Legislative efforts are pushing to keep AM radio in new vehicles, citing its importance in emergencies. The automakers are pushing back…the broadcaster’s alliance wants to keep it…
John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, argues that mandating AM radio in EVs is unwarranted and would incur extra costs for consumers.
Bozzella contrasts the necessity of mandated safety features like airbags and seat belts with the imposition of analog AM radio tuners, a move he says is unprecedented by the government…"The government has never gone there before,"
On the heels of revealing AI chatbot Grok, Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will integrate the AI into its vehicles.
A "smaller quantized" version of Grok AI is reported to run natively in Tesla vehicles, utilizing the cars' local computing power for a seamless in-car user experience.
Musk envisions Tesla vehicles to be self-sufficient in anticipating and addressing owner needs, with Grok AI becoming a key component in realizing this future.
Replying to an X thread about the integration, Musk said, "Provided our vehicle AI computer is able to run the model, Tesla will probably have the most amount of true usable inference compute on Earth."

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/
...more
12min

FAQs about Automotive State of The Union:

How many episodes does Automotive State of The Union have?

The podcast currently has 1,462 episodes available.

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